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Picture Books that Move, Inspire and Make Readers Laugh

3/15/2021

2 Comments

 
by Bryan Patrick Avery

I love picture books. Like many, I don’t think see picture books as being “just for small kids”. The combination of words and images to tell stories is compelling to all readers, no matter their age. This month, I’d like to share with you a few of my favorite picture books that I think anyone can enjoy. For the kids, though, these books provide a gateway into the world of reading and should help ignite a love for reading that will last a lifetime.
 
Nothing engages readers like humor. Whether it’s slapstick, a running joke, or a masterful one-liner, humor grabs readers and won’t let go. Here are a few of my favorite funny books.
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Dragons Love Tacos
written by Adam Rubin, illustration by Daniel Salmieri
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Click, Click Moo Cows That Type
written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
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President Taft is Stuck in the Bath
written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

​Social justice has come to the forefront in recent years. It’s never too early to start learning about the need to stand up and be counted. Check out these fantastic books that encourage readers to stand up for what they believe.
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​One Love
written by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
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Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
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​Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
written by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno

​Poetry can be a language all its own and it’s never too early to seek out the masters. Sterling Publishing’s Poetry for Young People is a great place to start. These are a few of my favorites from the series.
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Poetry for Young People: William Carlos Williams
edited by Christopher MacGowan, illustrated by Robert Crockett
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Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes
edited by David Roessel & Arnold Rampersad, illustrated by Benny Andrews
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Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allen Poe
edited by Brad Bagert, illustrated by Carolynn Cobleigh
I hope you find something you enjoy on this list. I’d love to hear some of your favorites. What picture books move you or make you laugh? Put them in the comments.
​
That’s all for now. Happy reading. Have a magical month!
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Bryan Patrick Avery writes picture books, chapter books, middle grade and graphic novels. His middle grade story, “The Magic Day Mystery”, was published in June 2020 in SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES, an anthology from HarperCollins and the Mystery Writers of America. His debut picture book, THE FREEMAN FIELD PHOTOGRAPH, will be published in Spring 2021 by Clearfork Publishing/Spork.

2 Comments
Terry Lim Diefenbach link
3/15/2021 09:44:51 pm

Of the list you show, I've only read Click, Clack, Moo. So thanks for trying to expand my horizon. I will check out the others.
My current favorite is The Wolf the Duck & the Mouse by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen.
Another hilarious one my husband brought back from a trip but unfortunately not (yet?) translated from the Japanese is -according to the book's back flap- How Can We Get Out Of The Hole. It's about 2 hungry cats and 3 mice stuck in a hole. But the illustrations are so expressive that you don't really need the text to experience the predicament. The Japanese title is Dousuru Dousuru Ana No Naka and can be viewed on the Amazon page.

Reply
Libby Canady
3/18/2021 04:35:29 pm

Thanks for sharing these. One of my all time favorite children's book is The Day the Crayons Quit! Nothing makes preschoolers laugh more than somebody's paper coming off and them being nakey:)

Reply



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    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome new bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books
  • Picture Book Palooza
    • Contributor Bios
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • Mighty Networks Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships