2016 Advent Books: Picture Book a Day, Read Alouds, and Poetry

Yes, 2016. You read that right. I never posted last year on what we did and I'm going to pretend it was on purpose so I could inspire some Advent planning just in time for this year!

If you don't already know, some crazy people wrap a picture book to open each day during Advent (or between Christmas and Epiphany). Yeah, I'm one of those crazy people. This all started because I love picture books and because our kids don't actually open many presents from us, so we get a little present-opening fun throughout Advent. I don't buy all the books; I just go ahead and wrap library books. The kids know some of these books have to go back to the library and don't seem to mind.

Every year I think about not wrapping a picture book a day because my kids are getting older, but so far I've just kept it up. This year there are only three weeks of Advent so it seems silly to give it up when it's so easy! So I'm going to wrap some this year, again.

Last year, Advent was as long as possible because Christmas was on a Sunday. Most of our books were repeats from previous years and you can find those by perusing some of the other posts, but I thought I'd write about the ones that were new to us.

Last year, in 2016, First Son (turned 13 during Advent) wasn't very interested in the picture books. First Daughter (10) just wanted to read them aloud, so she mostly read them after one of the younger two (ages 8 and 6) opened them. They took turns, somehow, all handled on their own.

Here are the picture books that were new to us in 2016 (all library books):

The Christmas Cat by Efner Tudor Holmes, illustrated by Tasha Tudor - This was one of Second Daughter's favorites last year (when she was 8). I checked it out again this year and she remembered it with joy. A shivering cat finds a new home with a loving family on Christmas morning.

Just Right for Christmas by Birdie Black, illustrated Rosalind Beardshaw - This book is reminiscent of one of my absolute favorites, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, but it's easier to get from our library. Second Son (6 last year) remember this one and immediately grabbed it to read when I checked it out again this year. A bit of cloth provides Christmas presents for a ever increasing number of people and animals in smaller and smaller increments.

Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Robin Spowart - Though I still can't decide if a Hanukkah story is perfect for Advent reading or if we should avoid Hanukkah stories in deference to those of Jewish faith. We read it because I loved the story of a generous family who shared all they had with a stray cat and dog and were rewarded with a Hanukkah miracle.

The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney - I love Pinkney's illustrations and they complement well this story of a lonely woman who finds a miraculous boot. In the end, she has to return the boot to its rightful owner but is left with an even better gift.

This First Christmas Night by Laura Godwin, illustrated by William Low - This book uses a sweet and simple text to set the stage for the first Nativity and it's wonderfully illustrated. It's perfect for even the littlest ones who are so easily overwhelmed down by lengthy Nativity picture books.

Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Diane Goode - This is a nice little book about a girl remembering Christmas at her childhood home with her grandparents.

One Night in a Stable by Guido Visconti, illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus - This is the Nativity story from the point of view of a lonely ox who, seeking for his master, finds many to invite into the warmth of his stable. I feel like the illustrations are the main benefit of this book; they're unusual in their colors and geometry.

Findus at Christmas by Sven Nordqvist - Oh, how we love Findus in all his books! This book has a lot of text, probably too much for very young listeners. Findus the cat and Pettson his owner-friend, are quirky and wonderful. They make the best of every ridiculous situation. In this book, they celebrate Christmas in the best way - with generous friends and neighbors. Read all the Findus books!

Mary's Song written by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn - This is another lovely picture book on the Nativity, beautifully illustrated. This one encourages us to be quiet and contemplate the infant Jesus, cradled in his mother's arms as she quietly sings to him.

Poetry:

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat - Every year we read a version of this poem. Though I own a couple, I tend to choose a new one from the library. This one has a lovely pop-up at the end of the poem.

Then we continued to read from The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems edited by Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart-Clark. We started this in 2015 and will continue it in 2017. I haven't decided if I'll read a poem a day from it instead of our current poet (Langston Hughes) or if I'll read from it once a week during our poetry time. This has a wide variety of poems and we're enjoying it.

Read-Alouds:

Usually, I replace our "fun" read-aloud during Advent with something holiday-related. Last year, we read I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge which is a sweet tale. A small girl spends her first Christmas after her parents die with her spinster aunts. There's a friendly but distraught French man, a wandering uncle, and an open window for the angels. Of course, three ships arrive on Christmas morning amidst great rejoicing. I had checked it out using inter-library loan, but bought a used copy at a very reasonable price the July before I read it aloud.

On our way to my parent's house after Christmas, we also listened to an audio version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I love reading Dickens but the audio version read by Tim Curry was fantastic. This year, we're going to listen to a version by Simon Vance. (I purchased both of these audio books on sale from Audible in 2016.)

Past Advent-Picture-Book-a-Day Booklists

• 2010 list (the first year we did this activity)
• 2011 first week of Advent 
• 2011 second week of Advent
• 2011 third week of Advent
• 2011 fourth week of Advent
• my favorite five (or seven) Christmas picture books (2012)
• an additional Christmas book for My Favorite Picture Books (2012)
• 2012 new and noteworthy Advent picture books 
• My Twelve Books of Christmas (written in 2013)
• 2013 and 2014 Advent Picture Books, a Selection
• 2015 Advent Books

My Favorite Picture Books: Rocks in His Head

Rocks in His Head by Carol Otis Hurst, pictures by James Stevenson

Based on the true story of the author's father, this book is a fantastic addition to a geology study. He loved rocks from the time he was a young boy, collecting and studying them his entire life. Every few pages the phrase "rocks in his head" repeats, to which her father always agreeably replies, "Maybe I do."

There's a little history (the rise of the automobile and the Great Depression) in addition to the geology, but most importantly is his humility and quiet perseverance. His rocks give him a steady joy, even when faced with struggles. In this end, his dedication to his passion and his never-ending quest for more knowledge earn him his dream job.

Second Daughter has been inspired to not only collect rocks after reading this book, but to search through myriads of library books to identify her rocks and label them. Now she and First Daughter have rock displays on their dressers.

Favorite Picture Books: Stuve-Bodeen's Elizabeti books

Elizabeti's Doll, Mama Elizabeti, and Elizabeti's School by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, and all illustrated by Christy Hale

We've been reading these books for years. We even own the first book, Elizabeti's Doll, thanks to a kind fellow member at PaperBackSwap.com. Elizabeti is a sweet girl in Tanzania who is first introduced when she selects a beautiful perfect rock to be her baby. She rocks her baby, feeds her, and comforts her. In the course of the day, she's misplaced, but discovered by an understanding sister and restored to her little mama.

Later, Elizabeti has a new baby sister and now must help care for her brother Obedi. It would be surprising to find such a young girl caring for her brother in America and she nearly loses him, but it all works out in the end. Life in Elizabeti's Tanzania is hard, but depicted beautifully.

In the third book, Elizabeti's School, Elizabeti goes to school for the first time. In all the important ways, it's just like a first day of school anywhere in the world, but set in Elizabeti's loving African family.

We love Elizabeti! I wish we could visit her, and so do my girls!

Favorite Picture Books: How the Guinea Fowl Got Her Spots

How the Guinea Fowl Got Her Spots 

retold and illustrated by Barbara Knutson

In this book, a Swahili story explains why a guinea fowl has spots. In the beginning, she's a beautiful black without a single spot. She and Cow are great friends, spending time together each day but always watching out for Lion. One day, spotting Lion stalking Cow, the guinea rushes in to save her friend without a thought for her own safety. The next day, she attacks Lion a second time, again saving her friend. In thanksgiving, Cow sprinkles milk over her feathers, giving them lovely spots and allowing her to hide perfectly in shadows and grass.

A small note on the copyright page shows how to pronounce the guinea's name. The illustrations leap off the page and include scratch marks that evoke African art.

We have guinea fowl because they eat ticks and grasshoppers, so we were destined to love this book. Even better, it exemplifies friendship and courage.

Highly recommended.

A Picture Book Basket on the Range

For the past few years, I've implemented what I call our Picture Book Basket. Each week, I load the basket with a handful of selected picture books. Each day, Second Daughter and Second Son (who are 7 and 5 this year), choose one book for me to read aloud to her or him. (Generally, other children crowd around as well.)

From the beginning, I was surprised at how books I expected to be immediate draws were left until the end of the week or not selected at all. I feel like I learn a bit more about the people Second Daughter and Second Son are by the books they choose, especially the ones they choose early in the week when there's a fresh batch of books.

A second advantage was a freedom to let picture books slide. In past years, I'd feel anxious about picture books I had scheduled that we did not have time to read together, but anxiety about reading picture books is not a productive homeschool anxiety, especially given the amount of other reading going on. With the Picture Book Basket, I'm able to read a picture book a day without worrying about reading every picture book.

I was also excited to have this method for ensuring the picture books I love on our shelves end up in front of my kids on occasion. Something about putting them in a smaller group facing outward just encourages more reading.

Finally, with three young readers in the house, I find myself reading fewer picture books. The kids read them independently, and even more often, the older ones read to the youngest. My picture book snuggle time is on a definite downward trajectory. The Picture Book Basket ensures I get a little time with each of the little ones every day. On the best days, he or she insists on sitting on my lap - it's the right of the one who chooses the book, of course.

Want a Picture Book Basket of your own? First, grab a sturdy box. I have an old one that's sturdy even if not the most aesthetically pleasing. (I tried to hide the worst of the peeling and discoloration in the photo.) Then, choose some picture books.

Picture Book Sources

• The Classics - These are the quintessential picture books you might find on the kinds of lists that tout the 100 picture books every child should read like this one, or this one, or this one. I'm not specifically suggesting these three; they were the first that came up in a Google search. These kinds of lists are ubiquitous. If you glance through a few, you're bound to come up with thirty you love and want to share with your kids, so make a list and put one per week in the basket. My choices tend to end up on the blog as favorite picture books.
• Library Finds - I'm constantly checking out new books at the library. When I find one I think the kids would like or that I'd like to share, it goes on this list. Because I'm a heavy-library-user, I ended up choosing two each week for this category. Sometimes we like them more after reading them and sometimes they never surface again. If you keep an eye on blogs like The Bleeding Pelican or Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, you'll have a steady stream of possibilities.
• Liturgical Year Books - Resources like Catholic Mosaic and modern Catholic publishing houses provide many wonderful picture books. When a feast day or a saint's day happens during a week, I put my favorite books in the Picture Book Basket. I happen to know the third grader often reads these and then puts them back in the basket.
• Reading Around the World in Picture Books - I've done this for years, selecting picture books set in a particular country or continent and reading them through the year. It's such a wonderful way to introduce children to other cultures and life all around the world. I often post our books on the blog and you can find them with the Reading Around the World tag.
• Bird Picture Books - Second Daughter loves birds. (I feel like I say that over and over on the blog, but it's true.) This year we started a bird study that will continue next year as The Burgess Bird Book for Children is long enough for an extended study. When I find a bird-featured picture book, I add it to the list and put one each week or so in the Picture Book Basket. These tend to be creative and fun rather than informative. I wouldn't expect another family to include specifically bird books, but you could consider featuring an animal or topic that particularly fascinates your children.
• History Picture Books - We use RC History's Connecting with History and there are often recommended picture books or ones I find at the library. If I find one that fits, I'll put it in the Picture Book Basket rather than scheduling a time to read it. American history in particular provides a plethora of choices.
• Math Picture Books - Inspired by Let's Play Math, I started adding math picture books to the basket as I find ones I think the little ones will enjoy. Second Son (age 5) seems to be particularly drawn to these.
• Science Picture Books - Over the years, I've found many picture books that align with the science my third and fourth grade students are studying. They're already in my lesson plans so I added them to the Picture Book Basket, too. 
• Random Other Books - In third grade, for example, my kids do a Kansas study, so this year we added a handful of Kansas books to our Picture Book Basket as they seemed appropriate. The picture books are listed at the end of this post. Sometimes, if I know a field trip is coming up and request a slew of related library books, I'll choose a few to put in the basket over the course of a few weeks. Basically, this category means: "It's my basket and I'll put what I want in it."

In theory, we could have a lot of books in our book basket, but in practice we don't have books from each category every week. At most, we'd read ten books a week (two books each day, one for each child), but we rarely go five days in a row when we get through every single lesson without a crisis or an appointment or a beautiful day that demands the five year old be outside rather than "doing lessons." On average, I'd say we read 6-8 books a week from the Picture Book Basket. Sometimes that's all of them but most weeks there are one or two left in the basket at the end of the week. Those get shelved with the other library books until they're due, so sometimes the kids end up reading them anyway.

My Favorite Picture Books: The Big Book of Slumber

The Big Book of Slumber by Giovanna Zoboli, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani, translated by Anthony Shugaar

I should qualify my post by stating I'm not entirely sure this is one of my favorite picture books. It's whimsical and, while I recognize whimsy as a good for children, I'm not inclined to appreciate it myself. Nevertheless, I read the book aloud to Second Son (who's 5) and he loved it. It is, therefore, one of his favorite picture books.

In the book, a variety of animals are snugging up in beds in the evening. Camels on a bunkbed, seals sleeping on chairs balanced on branches, a bed for a butterfly? Nonsense - and yet illustrated with bold delightful colors - the kind of illustrations you'd easily imagine framing and hanging on a child's wall. Second Son enjoyed exploring each spread for little jokes: the chicks still up when the grown-up chickens are sleeping, a bug escaping his bed, frogs nestled in the crook of a crocodiles tail, palm trees growing on top of the camels' bunk beds, a banana tucked carefully in with the monkey.

If you're looking for a bedtime book that welcomes careful contemplation of each page, this is the book for you. The more you look, the more there is to enjoy (you know, for those who love whimsy).

My Favorite Picture Books: Hot Dog Cold Dog

Hot Dog Cold Dog by Frann Prestion-Gannon

I read about this book over at The Bleeding Pelican and immediately decided it was the perfect gift for our soon-to-be-born niece whose parents own and love a little miniature dachshund. Of course, I had to check it out from our library before making a final decision.

A vibrantly illustrated book of opposites, Hot Dog Cold Dog depicts dachshunds of all colors engaged in some familiar doggie activities like digging and sleeping, but mostly more unusual activities (at least for dogs) like reading or eating birthday cake.

The only potential problem with this book as a gift is that someone else may give it to the new baby as well! It's too perfect.

I'm still searching for one or two other board books to give when the baby is born. Anything you think she'd particularly enjoy before she's nine months old (which will be around Christmas when we can give her more books)?

My Favorite Picture Books: Brinton Turkle's Obadiah stories

Brinton Turkle is one of my favorite illustrators. I was reminded earlier this year of his near perfection when we were reading Anna and the Baby Buzzard. I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book from PaperBackSwap.com after our library's copy was made permanently unavailable. There's one two page spread showing Anna and her brother flying through the summer woods surrounded by their menagerie. You can almost feel the summer sunshine and light breeze and glimpse a shimmer of movement.

Anna and the Baby Buzzard isn't written by Brinton Turkle, but he has a few particularly wonderful books starring an adventurous young Quaker named Obadiah. Thy Friend, Obadiah, Obadiah the Bold, and Rachel and Obadiah bring old Nantucket to life through the experiences of Obadiah and his inspiring family. They are full of perseverance, courage, and bravery, as well as children behaving just as children do.

Turkle's illustrations are delightful as always. His drawings of children have such sweetness and life in them! I could gaze at them all day long.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). Every little bit helps - thanks!

Links to PaperBackSwap could give me a referral credit if you follow the link, establish a new account, and post ten books.

My Favorite Picture Books: The Umbrella

The Umbrella by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert

This wordless picture book is pure delight from the inside front cover to the inside back cover. A small black dog and a red umbrella travel around the world, from the savannas of Africa to the depths of the ocean. Excitement, adventure, and brilliant colors. Each two page spread is full of interesting characters to discover.

I don't know who was more delighted: the five year old, the seven year old, or me.

My Favorite Picture Books: Robert McCloskey Love

Somehow, I have managed to miss all the fantastic Robert McCloskey books in my favorite picture books posts. I suppose it's probably harmless because surely anyone who stumbles onto this blog already knows about these wonderful books, but I still would like to establish clearly my love for them.

Make Way for Ducklings - Kansas Dad proposed to me in Boston's Public Gardens, so reading this book lifts my heart every time because I remember that day. We also lived in Boston for a couple of years when we were newlyweds, so really the good feelings abound. Second Daughters love for all things bird just makes it even better.

One Morning in Maine - A blissfully perfect day - a lost tooth, a boat ride, an ice cream cone, clam chowder. Reading this book always reminds me of Our Town and how the memory of one ordinary day nearly breaks Emily's heart. This is life and it's beautiful.

Blueberries for Sal - Bears, blueberries, and a baby. What's not to love? This is probably the favorite McCloskey book among my children.

My Favorite Picture Books: The Big Snow

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader

The animals of the forest are getting ready for winter as the geese fly south. Deer, raccoons, mice, ground hogs, birds, are all preparing. Then, just after Christmas, a great snow falls. Hunger sets in, but a kind old man and woman put out food for the animals and birds.

That's all. Nothing else happens. It's a lovely peaceful book of the natural world and its intersection with our world, when we care to notice. After reading it, my children always want to put out food for the birds. They've never been disturbed by the realization we live a bit farther south and don't have any big snows that last all winter. (We do usually have one or two big snows that melt away.)

My Favorite Picture Books: On My Way to Buy Eggs

On My Way to Buy Eggs by Chih-Yuan Chen

We've read this book a few times over the years when we've been reading around the world in picture books. This one is based on the traditional little neighborhood stores that used to abound everywhere but, according to the author and illustrator, are still common in Taiwan. In this sweet story, a young girl invents and imagines and delights herself all the way to the store and home again after her father's simple request for a few eggs.

It's a pleasure to read over and over again.

My Favorite Picture Books: It Could Always Be Worse

It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach

This book is a Yiddish folk tale retold and illustrated by Margot Zemach. A poor man, overwhelmed by the noise and disagreements of his mother, wife, and six children in a one-room house, begs his rabbi for advice.

The rabbi suggests he bring the chickens inside. Over the course of the book, the poor man returns again and again to the rabbi as the cacophony and mayhem increases with each addition to his household.

All my children laugh as chickens, goats, and other animals are brought into the house. The illustrations show the family in shambles until finally order and peace are restored by the wisdom of the rabbi.

This book is perfect for families with young children and large families in general. If you have a few chickens or goats in your yard, it's even better!

My Favorite Picture Books: Float

Float by Daniel Miyares

In this wordless picture book, a young boy floats a newspaper boat outside in the rain. Inevitably, it's washed away (being a newspaper boat), but his father comforts and warms him before sending him out in the newly sunny day with a newspaper airplane.

His bright yellow raincoat, hats, and boots shine on every page. The child-like (not childish) delight in the sailboat thrills the reader as well. It's a lovely book of being outside, imagination, the love and comfort of a parent, and rejuvenation to go back out into the world.

You can read an interview with the artist at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and more about Float's at the Horn Book, if you care about such things.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). 

My Favorite Picture Books: My Name Is Gabriela

My Name is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/la vida de Gabriela Mistral by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra

Last week, I posted about Waiting for the Biblioburro, so it seemed right to follow with another favorite book from the same writer and illustrator team.

Monica Brown tells the story of Gabriela Mistral, a world-renowned poet and the first Latin American writer to win the Nobel for literature. Beginning with her childhood and emphasizing her love of words, it's an inspirational biography wonderfully illustrated.

It's bilingual, which is fun for those of us who took enough Spanish in college to be able to read children's books aloud in the language, and lovely for those who are latina (or latino). It's difficult for those of us who are white to fully appreciate how meaningful and essential it is for children to see people who look and sound like themselves in picture books.

We read this book while Reading Around the World but it is also, of course, a perfect choice if you want to read a picture book about Gabriela Mistral with your children. I love most how it fosters treasuring words and recognizing the power they can have in the world.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order).  

My Favorite Picture Books: Waiting for the Biblioburro

Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown, illustrations by John Patra

I first found this book when looking for titles to read in 2012 when we read around the world with picture books, focused on Central and South America. Since then, we've requested it many times from our library. Jeanette Winter has a similar book, Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia, but I personally prefer the Monica Brown one.

Based on the life of a Colobian librarian, Luis Soriano Bohorequez, who travels through rural areas leading a burro loaded with books, this book inspires an appreciation for the libraries we have here in America as well as a love of words and stories. It's a joy to read over and over again.

My Favorite Picture Books: Winter Is Coming

Winter Is Coming by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche

If you're looking for a book to read to encourage quiet contemplation of nature, look no farther. In the book, a girl waits and watches outside with her sketchbook and is rewarded with glimpses of animals preparing preparing for winter. Time passes as the pages turn and we see fall (September) turn slowly to winter.

Immediately after reading it, my girls wanted to make a place outside where they could just sit and watch the birds and animals. We have sketchbooks in which the children grudgingly draw when I insist they must before having a snack on our nature walks. Drawing and the sketchbook are never mentioned in the text, but the girl carries them everywhere and sketches appear in her hand. A book like this is more likely to encourage drawing in nature than one that specifically directs attention to the activity. She doesn't draw because she should or she must but because she loves the world in which she lives.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order).  

My Favorite Picture Books: Miss Twiggley's Tree

Miss Twiggley's Tree by Dorothea Warren Fox

I'm almost certain I first read about this book at Afterthoughts, though I can't find it there now. Our wonderful library bought the book at my suggestion after I requested it through inter-library loan and loved it.

Miss Twiggley lives in a tree. Her shyness compels her to hide whenever anyone comes to visit. She even sends her dog to do the shopping, which delights children reading the book. The mayor's wife starts to stir up trouble for Miss Twiggley but is interrupted by a hurricane that devastates the town. Luckily, Miss Twiggley lives in a tree and has room for everyone in town. (It's a very big tree house.)

And Miss Twiggley found out
Something wonderful, too:
When emergencies come,
You don't think about you.

You help all you can.
And you never ask why.
Then the first thing you know,
You forget to be shy. 

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order).  

My Favorite Picture Books: Anna Hibiscus' Song

Anna Hibiscus' Song
by Atinuke
illustrated by Lauren Tobia

I have recommended Anna Hibiscus books before. Our library has a few chapter books that are perfect books on Africa for early readers. I only recently discovered this picture book of Anna Hibiscus.

It is outstanding.

Anna Hibiscus is so happy she feels like she's going to burst. She goes from one family group to another, sharing her happiness and asking what she should do. They all have suggestions, mainly based on what they do when they are happy. She tries them all and her happiness just grows. Finally, in the end, she finds her own way of expressing happiness. She sings.

The joy of this book is tremendous. The love of her grandparents, aunties, uncle, and cousins is the background against which Anna Hibiscus delights in her life. They are just as delighted by her happiness as she is and share her joy spontaneously and tenderly, each in their own way.

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa (Amazing Africa). Her father is African and her mother is white. None of that matters in the story, though it would be lovely to share this book with a child who was similar to Anna Hibiscus in that way. This is one of those delightful books that features a child of color without color being a focus.

Anna Hibiscus is amazing and I love welcoming her into my home! In fact, I want to invite her whole family over.

The Amazon links above are affiliate links. I checked this book out of the library. This review is my honest opinion.

My Favorite Picture Books: The Girl and the Bicycle

The Girl and the Bicycle illustrated by Mark Pett

This adorable wordless picture book shows a young girl who works steadily to earn enough money for a new bicycle, in the process developing a relationship with a neighbor. It's a book of perseverance, success, disappointment, generosity, friendship, and family. All of my children have spent time engrossed with the illustrations and "reading" it over and over again.

This book is a kind of sequel to The Boy and the Airplane, but I like it even better than the first one.

The Amazon links above are affiliate links. I checked this book out of the library. This review is my honest opinion.