Tacky the Penguin

Tacky The Penguin by Helen Lester is a joy to read aloud. The students in my class go wild over the silly song that Tacky sings to scare away the hunters. We also loved the names of all the other "normal" penguins. This book has a very engaging story, a fun plot, and an unlikely hero! All of these elements together make this one of my favorite books to read aloud, or to myself for a quick giggle!

Pigs Rock!

Pigs Rock! is a super cute rhyming picture book! The illustrations are amazing, the humor in the story keeps kids locked in and excited, and the rhymes flow effortlessly. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Melanie Davis Jones at a GRA conference back in 2006. She is a delightful person to talk to! She also teaches in the county that I did my student teaching in. GO HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS!

Skippyjon Jones

Skippyjon Jones is one of my favorite book characters! Not only because I love cats, but I love the personality and imagination of these stories. The integration of Spanish from the little chihuahuas makes this book a great read aloud! I love to put on my best Spanish accent and read their little rhymes! The kids get a kick out of it, and I have a blast too. Judy Schachner has done a great job with the Skippyjon collection and I know that I can grab one right off the rack and love it, no need for a pre-read!

The Hello, Goodbye Window

My first favorite picture book pick is The Hello, Goodbye Window By Norton Juster. Not only do I love love love the illustrations in this book, but I love love love the story! It is amazing the things that children find magical. Something as simple as a kitchen window becomes the highlight of her stay with her grandparents. I love the way that each character in this story has a big personality. Grandpa is silly, Grandma is always dishing out love and rules, and the little girl just steals my heart. I have to say that my favorite part is when she takes a nap and says that nothing happens while she is sleeping. Kids really do believe that the world stops just for them. I think that window into a child's thinking just warms my heart. I have this book in my classroom library and I never get tired of reading it (with our without an audience). *smile*