Some 2010 Picture Book Highlights

Snook Alone
by Marilyn Nelson
Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering


This book received a starred review from Booklist, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal so I had to check it out from my local library.  Definitely a picture book for older readers, I can see this book being used with elementary school students.  The new vocabulary mentioned in this story of friendship and faith would lead to many different activities.





Biblioburro
by Jeannette Winter

This is a true story from the country of Columbia.  It tells the story of John Luis and his burros who become traveling libraries.  This enables the children living in the remote villages of Columbia to have access to knowledge.  The colorful, painted illustrations add to the story and show the culture of Columbia.









Push Button
by Aliki

This book would make a great read aloud, especially for toddlers.  The end papers are full of colorful buttons for pretend pushing. The story is about a little boy who loves to push all sorts of buttons.  These buttons can make things do all sorts of silly and noisy things.  The little boy hurts his finger and cannot push buttons anymore so he begins to look at a book and in the book he sees all the other things that he can do, like pull, dig, hide, kick, etc.







Art & Max
by David Wiesner

I thought for sure that this picture book would win some awards this year.  I love David Wiesner's work (see below for additional books).  This is the story of two dinosaurs.  Art is busy painting and Max wants to join in, he is so excited.  When Max wonders what he should paint, Art suggests he paint a picture of him.  Max takes this literally and begins to paint ON Art.  When Art tries to shake off the paint it does not go anywhere, so Max turns a fan on him.  This does not work either.  Then Max gives him some water to drink.  As Art drinks the water, ALL his colors begin to disappear.  What happens next?  Pick up this book at your library to find out!


Other books by Wiesner: