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Eight Picture Books for National Picture Book Month

November is National Picture Book Month, an entire month dedicated to celebrating some of the best children's books. 

According to its official website, "Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November." On PictureBookMonth.com, every day there is a new post from a "picture book champion explaining why he/she thinks picture books are important."

"In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love," the article said. "And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like the physical page turn of a beautifully crafted picture book."

The website also offers a two-minute video about what well-known authors think about picture books:

Education World has gathered a list of eight picture books teachers can read to their elementary school students for the month of November:

  1. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes: In this book, Amazon says, "from one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a memorable new character and a suspenseful adventure just right for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. It is Kitten's first full moon, and when she sees it she thinks it is a bowl of milk in the sky. And she wants it. Does she get it? Well, no . . . and yes. What a night!"
  2. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems: In Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, "when a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before."
  3. Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor: Amazon says: "Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy."
  4. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen: In this book, Amazon says: "The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others."
  5. Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal: In Little Pea, Amazon says: "If Little Pea doesn't eat all of his sweets, there will be no vegetables for dessert! What's a young pea to do? Children who have trouble swallowing their veggies will love the way this pea-size picture book serves up a playful story they can relate to."
  6. Press Here by Herve Tullet: In this book, "press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next!" says Amazon.
  7. Who Wants a Dragon? by James Mayhew: In Who Wants a Dragon?, Amazon says: "One very cuddly dragon is looking for a home, and someone to love him. Will he ever find it?"
  8. Even More Parts by Tedd Arnold: In Even More Parts, Amazon says: "Chip Block, the hero of Parts, is back, and still worried about falling apart based on the things he hears. This time he’s made a list of all the strange, crazy things he’s heard people say: “I lost my head.” “My nose is running.” “I sang my heart out. . . .” It’s scary stuff, but he has a plan for making sure he doesn’t accidentally leave any of his parts behind."

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor