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A Picture Book is Worth a Thousand Words
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By
Taylor Coonelly profile picture
Taylor Coonelly
Picture Books I Have Purchased and Used in My Elementary School Library.
Sections
3
 
Must Haves in Your Collection
 
Used in Library Lessons
 
Nonfiction Picture Books

Must Haves in Your Collection

My students and I loved these books - and you will too! New and old classics that stick with me as a librarian who reads a lot of picture books

 
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A K-2 staple read aloud with fun illustrations
Buffalo Fluffalo (A Buffalo Fluffalo Story)
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An SEL fav of mine that has also been a feature in my Jory John author study
The Good Egg
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A great upper elementary read aloud/picture book - I even love playing RPS after
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors - Books
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A classic read aloud - and can be sung! Kids love a Pete the Cat
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes: James Dean, Eric Litwin
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A great beginning of the year read or during a specific celebrated holiday
Our Favorite Day of the Year: Ali, A. E., Bell, Rahele Jomepour
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Kids will be curious, so talk about the magic of curiosity
The Curious Why (The Magical Yet, 2)
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A great read with gorgeous illustrations - I have had teachers ask for this for their classroom SEL time
The Magical Yet: DiTerlizzi, Angela, Alvarez Gómez, Lorena
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Who doesn’t love axolotls?! My students have been obsessed with this one
Axolotl and Axolittle: Hitchman, Jess, Rebar, Sarah: 9781464237904
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A picture book take on the wonderful verse chapter book by the same author
Odder: An Otter's Story (Picture Book): Applegate, Katherine, Santoso, Charles
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This as a read aloud = instant success!! It is also a Caldecott contender this year
Don't Trust Fish: Sharpson, Neil, Santat, Dan: 9780593616673
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A great end of the year read aloud - pair with an activity about kids collecting their own hopes and dreams!
Hope in a Jar by Deborah Marcero
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A second installment to a favorite social emotional read aloud
Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo by Bess Kalb: 9780593810309
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A Caldecott winner that discusses body acceptance
Big (Caldecott Medal Winner & Coretta Scott King Honor Title): Harrison, Vashti
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Used in Library Lessons

Each of these books has been incorporated into my library lessons for Prek - 5th graders. Picture books are a great way to introduce topics, or have discussions

 
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A wonderful pairing of fiction and nonfiction elements
Papilio
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Newest book in the Food Group series!
The Humble Pie: A Funny and Empowering Food Group Story
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Love this adaptation of the Peter Brown chapter books
The Wild Robot on the Island: Illustrated Adaptation
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Recently discovered, but obsessed with the illustrations
Books - The Only Monster: Coyne, Matt
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A perfect pairing for Native American Heritage Month or award season!
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story - Books
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A great book for Book Care lessons - I use every year
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story: McDonnell, Patrick: 9780316222587
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Going to use this with students before discussing things like nonfiction and research
Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots
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A wonderful read aloud during awards season - winning an award for both illustrations and writing
Last Stop on Market Street: de la Peña, Matt, Robinson, Christian
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A great intro read when students start library, or as a refresher with Pete as our guide
Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library
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Nonfiction Picture Books

A great introduction to the nonfiction genre. I love using these to talk about nonfiction with young elementary especially

 
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As a cat lover, this spoke to me. I love the inclusion of facts and adorable illustrations
Welbeck Childrens Books Meet the Cats.: Kate Peridot, Becca Hall
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Every kid gets a kick out of a poo themed story - this author has more in this series as well
Poo Pile on the Prairie (Tiny Habitats) - Books
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This whole space series is incredible for elementary students
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (Our Universe, 1)
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