Dec 18, 2012

Top Ten Picture Books of 2012

I read a lot of picture books in 2012. Over 100 in English, plus about 30 in Japanese. These are my favourite of all those I have read in the last year. I have, for the first time, linked up with The Broke & The Bookish for their Tuesday Top Ten list.

10.  Plant a Kiss - I am getting my cheats out of the way first. This upbeat book that is a great first book for kids to read themselves was released just a few days before 2012 started, but I am including it anyway.



9. Starfall - As much as I loved this book, it too was released in 2011! But this unique book- a picture book with actual photographs, was too heartwarming to leave off the list. Especially since it helped me almost completely conquer my fear of clowns.

8. A Stick Is an Excellent Thing - fun and rhythmical rhymes celebrating playing outside, this is the perfect act-it-out book.

7. The Stone Hatchlings - Imaginative Abby from A Flock of Shoes is back and giving inanimate objects life and love.


6. The Tooth Mouse - A tiny little mouse works her way past bigger competitors using her brains and her talent, not to mention a dose of gumption in this book that is evocative of classic French tales.


5. Larf - A bunny-wearing sasquatch looks for love and acceptance in this giggle-worthy tome.


4. Stuck with the Blooz - A loveable grump moves in with an androgynous kiddo who tries so hard to get unstuck, you can't help but cheer at the end.

3. Laundry Day - This fantastic little graphic novel celebrates a diverse neighbourhood, making friends, and pluckiness.

Hey, where's #2? Sorry, I cannot decide which of these books I love the most. We have read both so many times this year, and I find something new to love every single reading. In alphabetical order, then, my favourite books of 2012 are:

1. Sora and the Cloud - Beguiling illustrations and a bilingual book with lyrical prose in both languages. You can't help losing a bit of your heart to the cheeky little cloud.

1. Virginia Wolf - Heartwarming story of generosity of spirit and ingenuity exhibited by two adorable sisters, also winner of the 2012 Governor General's award for Children's Illustration.



What are the best books you read this year? Any of them picture books?

I am linking up to Teacher Treasure Hunter where everyone is posting their favourite books of 2012!
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29 comments:

  1. Thanks for including our book, Plant A Kiss! It was a joy to help create! Plant it forward! Peter

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  2. I'd heard of Wolf (probably from you) but not the others. I'm intrigued by the Cloud.
    Could you do another count down of only your favourite Japanese picture books?

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  3. This looks like a wonderful selection, will check out your two no.1s!

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  4. I have read your review about Virginia Wolf and the story seems interesting to read.

    Ervin Alcordo
    Amazebooks | Read Novels and Books

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  5. ARGH - I haven't read a single one of these and will now have to track them down!

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  6. Great list to start our 2013 selection!Thank you:)

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  7. Interesting choices - I don't know these books yet. I've been meaning to take a look at Virginia Wolf for a while though so I'm looking forward to that

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  8. So fun! I've only read "Laundry Day" out of these, but they all look great! I especially want the bilingual one for my Japanese nephews.

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  9. There are so many amazing children's picture books published each year! You rarely see a dud among children's books. Wish it was the same with grownup stories.

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  10. Thanks for this great list of picture books. I'm going to check them out...I'm always on the lookout for great books. Glad I found your blog through the Mother Reader challenge!

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  11. I have to include Green on this list. It was an amazing book. The author's website detailing her choosing which hues of green and which objects fascinated my students.

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion, I have to find that book! You're right, the author's website is fascinating.

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  12. I've just added several books to my "must read" list. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.

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  13. Thanks for the great list. Aside from Plant A Kiss, these are all books I haven't seen on other lists. I'll have to check these out.

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  14. Great list! I've read maybe 5 of these, and have never seen the others. I'll have to go back to the library for another raid on the New Books shelf.

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  15. Loved A Stick is an Excellent Thing - so great to see it on your list!

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  16. I am dying to get my hands on A STICK IS AN EXCELLENT THING. My library doesn't have it yet. Boo.

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  17. Great list! I've read about half of them and now I want to hunt down the rest, especially Peter J. Reynold's book!

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  18. My favorite is Starfall. Check out my new book at www.littlemisshistory.com

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  19. What a great list! I haven't heard of most of these books--they look like great suggestions! I'm especially interested in Sora and the Cloud. I loved clouds as a little kid, still do really. I think my friends little girl would really love some of these, so I'm going to pass the titles on to her!

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  20. I found this post through the linky on Teacher Treasure Hunt. I love Virgina Wolf too. Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle

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  21. Wow! What a great list! Sadly, I haven't read any of them. I'm off to see which ones I can reserve at the library! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Melissa
    www.teachertreasurehunter.blogspot.com

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  22. Thank yooz for putting Stuck with the Blooz on your top ten list from 2012! This have Blooz much cheer, and me too;)
    www.caronlevis.com

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  23. Awesome list! Many I don't know and can't wait to read!

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  24. I haven't read any ove these. I marked your link so I could take this list to the library. Thank you!

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  25. Love this list! So different from the others that I've seen. I haven't read any of these yet and can't wait to check them out with my girls!

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  26. Those are some beautiful looking books, and a different group of titles than I've seen on other blogs. Thank you for sharing them. I have lots of little people in my life these days and love having picture book resources to suggest what will make good gifts.

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