Friday, December 23, 2016

Spotlight Friday: My Favorite 2016 Picture Books


This week I am sharing my favorite books that I read in 2016.
They don't have to be published in 2016.
They don't have to have an author or illustrator that lives in the United States.
I just had to love the book.
Or know that kids are going to love the book.


Clever Books
These books caught my attention because they were just so darn clever.  Whether because of the witty discussion with the reader, or because of the multiple story lines hidden between the pages, the endpages.

Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)
Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) 
by Julie Falatko

The Airport Book
The Airport Book
by Lisa Brown

Best Cute Books
The books that make you say "awww", or "arrrrrgh"!

Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching
Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching
by Laura Gehl

Mighty Truck
Mighty Truck
by Chris Barton

Pirasaurs!
Pirasaurs!
by Josh Funk

My Favorite Books to Teach Lessons
Whether you're teaching theme or you want students to have a great discussion, these books were my go to's in 2016.

Normal Norman
Normal Norman 
by Tara Lazar

Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles
Follow the Moon Home 
by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson

A Bike Like Sergio's
A Bike Like Sergio's
by Maribeth Boelts

Unicorn Named Sparkle, A
A Unicorn Named Sparkle
by Amy Young

The Bear and the Piano
The Bear and the Piano
by David Litchfield

Everyone Loves Cupcake
Everyone Loves Cupcake
by Kelly DiPucchio

Be a Friend
Be a Friend
by Salina Yoon

Best Folktale
This book caught my attention on the first read.  Beautiful story and gorgeous illustrations.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes
The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes
by Duncan Tonatiuh

Best Going to Bed Stories
Although with Lauren Castillo's beautiful illustrations, maybe they won't inspire sleep!

It Is Not Time for Sleeping
It Is Not Time for Sleeping
by Lisa Graff

Twenty Yawns
Twenty Yawns
by Jane Smiley

Apparently I Like Sarcasm
I really like those books that have surprise ending - and not necessarily the happy ones!

You Must Be This Tall
You Must Be This Tall
by Steven Weinberg

A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals
A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals
by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
by Vera Brosgol

Penguin Problems
Penguin Problems
by Jory John

Poor Little Guy
Poor Little Guy
by Elanna Allen

Dragon Was Terrible
Dragon Was Terrible
by Kelly DiPucchio

My Favorite Holiday Book
I love seeing Penguin and friends in a holiday book.  It has a memorable dedication and really captures the beauty of the season.

Penguin's Christmas Wish
Penguin's Christmas Wish
by Salina Yoon

Mail Theme (not really, but...)
Snail mail can't really go away!

It Came in the Mail
It Came in the Mail
by Ben Clanton

Dear Dragon
Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale
by Josh Funk

Heartwarming Books
Those books that warm your heart - the ones you finish and hold just a bit tighter.

Tell Me a Tattoo Story
Tell Me a Tattoo Story
by Alison McGhee

The Thank You Book (Elephant & Piggie, #25)
The Thank You Book
by Mo Willems

Books That Have Characters That Are a Bit Pessimistic Until They Are Shown The Brighter Side of Things

Horrible Bear!
Horrible Bear!
by Ame Dyckman

School's First Day of School
School's First Day of School 
by Adam Rex

This list is by no means exhaustive or accurate.  Even as I made the list I realized I forgot books.  There are so many books that touched me in some way or another, something inevitably gets left off.  Please know I probably forgot a book or two or ten.

What books were on your 2016 favorites list?  Check out my other 2016 favorite lists:
2016 Nonfiction Picture Books favorites
2016 Middle Grade favorites

Be sure to return next week when I share books to look forward to in 2017!

2 comments:

  1. I love A Hungry Lion, and Tell Me a Tattoo Story both so much. Lots of fun titles here.

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  2. Thanks for the list. Be a Friend and the Bear and the Piano are our favorites too. Look forward to reading others on your list. Happy New Reading Year!

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