It's Coming: August's Picture Book Event #pb10for10

It's hard to believe we are already nearing the middle of July.  Where has the summer gone?  That means it is almost time for our annual August picture book event.  If you love picture books.  If every trip to the book store leads you to the children's section.  If you check out larger picture book stacks than the young children waiting in the checkout line at your local library; then this event is for you.

On August 10th, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and I will be hosting our 5th annual Picture Book 10 for 10 (#pb10for10).  The event started in 2010 and has been growing ever since.  Last year over 100 blogs participated and my library card was full of requests by midnight August 10th.    

What Is It? 
The idea began as Mandy and I wondered what ten books were "must-haves" in the classroom.  If you could only choose 10 picture books, what would they be?  It's not an easy question.  We've had participants find some innovative ways to cheat the system (and we love that!) and share interesting groups of ten titles in our past years.  Each year the collaborative effort produces an informative picture book resource.

2013 Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog
2012 Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog

2011 Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog

2010 Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog 

Last February, with the help of Julie Balen, we once again hosted the nonfiction (#nf10for10) event.  

2014 Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog
2013 Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog

Participating

We are hoping you will join us again this year.  

1. Contact Us:  Contact us on our blogs, on Twitter (@mandyrobek or @cathymere), or by e-mail to let us know you are joining this event.  This way we can try to be sure we don't miss anyone on the day of the event.  
2. Grab a Badge:  Add the Picture Book 10 for 10 Badge to your blog.  
3. Choose your favorites:  All you need to do is choose ten picture books you cannot live without for whatever reason.  Believe me, that's not as easy as it sounds.  Here are some tips that might help (Choosing Picture Books and More About Choosing Picture Books). 
4. Write Your August 10th Post:  Write a post telling us about the 10 books you cannot live without.  Share your post on August 10th and link it here or at Enjoy and Embrace Learning.
5. No Blog?  No Problem:  If you don't have a blog this might be the perfect time to start one --- or you can find alternate ways to participate here.  Mandy and I are not huge rule followers so feel free to adjust as needed.  
6. We do the rest:  Then Mandy and I will link your post to the other posts in a Jog for 2013.  (Exercise without leaving our couches.)  

Pass the news along to all your crazy picture book friends.  Educators, media specialists, parents, book enthusiasts are all welcome!  You won't want to miss it.  

If you've participated in the past, I hope you will leave a comment telling how many years you have participated in the event.  We're excited to have many of you back for the 5th time....and to have many new book lovers join the conversation!  It's the community that makes this such a great event.