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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Posted by on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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29 comments:

  1. Peter H. ReynoldsDecember 19, 2012 at 5:33 AM

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

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  2. Michael JonesDecember 19, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    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. Omma VeladaDecember 20, 2012 at 3:59 PM

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

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  4. UnknownDecember 26, 2012 at 11:59 AM

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

    Ervin Alcordo
    Amazebooks | Read Novels and Books

    ReplyDelete
  5. Playing by the bookDecember 26, 2012 at 5:49 PM

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

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  6. marianneDecember 29, 2012 at 5:11 AM

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

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  7. Yellow Brick ReadsDecember 31, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    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. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    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. Helena JuhaszJanuary 5, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    This is a great run-down! Thanks!

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  10. Pat Zietlow MillerJanuary 13, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    More fun reading. Thanks for the list!

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  11. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzJanuary 13, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    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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  12. Sylvia LiuJanuary 14, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    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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  13. DianeRChen KellyJanuary 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    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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    Replies
    1. PerogyoJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:11 AM

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

      Delete
  14. Jeanette W. StickelJanuary 14, 2013 at 1:11 PM

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

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  15. Megan MaynorJanuary 15, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    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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  16. Carrie FJanuary 16, 2013 at 12:52 AM

    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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  17. UnknownJanuary 16, 2013 at 5:47 AM

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

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  18. Caroline Starr RoseJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    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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  19. PragmaticMomJanuary 20, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    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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  20. Barbara Ann MojicaJanuary 20, 2013 at 8:31 AM

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

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  21. KatrinaJanuary 21, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    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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  22. UnknownJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:21 PM

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

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  23. Teacher Treasure HunterJanuary 21, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    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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  24. Caron LevisJanuary 22, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    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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  25. Sarah AlbeeJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:54 AM

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

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  26. The Pen and Ink BlogspotJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    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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  27. KarolineJanuary 29, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    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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  28. spriteJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete

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