Picture Book 10 for 10: 10 Highlights from 2013 (and information to join)

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What is Picture Book 10 for 10?

On Sunday, August 10th, Mandy Robek, of Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and I will be hosting the 5th annual Picture Book 10 for 10 event. Several summers ago we began a conversation about the picture books we just can't live without and August's Picture Book 10 for 10 event was born.

In past years several communities have come together for the event:  Nerdy Book Club members, Kidlit bloggers, Twitter educators (#pb10for10), classroom teachers, media specialists, college professors, authors, parents and picture book lovers of all ages.  In the first year we had over 40 blogs participating in the event.  Last year that number grew to 128 participants.  Yep, we were a little overwhelmed. Each year these posts are compiled into a picture book resource for the children’s literature enthusiast and the new teacher alike.

This year, Mandy has been busy getting ready for her move from kindergarten to second grade. She has been wrestling with picture books for weeks. I'm wondering what 10 picture books are on her mind as she makes this transition. What about you? Many of you have expressed interest in joining our conversation. We're hoping you'll share your favorites on Sunday.

Picture Book Possibilities

If you are considering joining, you may be interested in looking through examples from previous years. Last year, I wrote about Picture Book 10 for 10 for The Nerdy Book Club and highlighted 10 examples of previous selections. To help you get started, this year I thought I'd feature ten posts from last year's event.

• Franki Sibberson, A Year of Reading: 10 Books that Might Be on the Bear's Bookshelf #hatback
• Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts:  #TeamRabbit Style Picture Books
• Tony Keefer, atychiphobia 2.0: Waiting for Caldecott
• Pernille Ripp, Blogging through the Fourth Dimension:  10 Books I Cannot Wait to Share with my Students
• Amy Rudd, The "Rudd"er:  Girl Power
• Stephanie Shouldis, Books, Interventions and More!:  I Mustache You a Question (Yep, you guessed it…10 books with mustaches!)  
• Michelle, Books My Kids Read:  10 Awesome Jewish Picture Books
• Margaret, Whispering Spines:  My Ten Favorite Books to Inspire Writing
• Carrie Gelson, There's a Book for That:  Picture Books that Connect Generations
• No Blog? No Problem!  Susan Dee shares her #pb10for10 list with this SMORE: Top Ten Picture Book Trailers

Past Events

You don't have to come up with a catchy theme, you can just share your ten favorites. Stop by past events for more examples. Participating blogs are compiled into a virtual magazine-like resource on Jog the Web.

Past #pb10for10 Jogs:

August 2013 10 for 10

August 2012 10 for 10

August 2011 10 for 10

August 2010 10 for 10

With the help of Julie Balen we added a nonfiction picture book event in February.  

February 2014 NF 10 for 10

February 2013 NF 10 for 10

How to Participate

On August 10th we will be hosting our 5th Annual Picture Book 10 for 10.  I’m anticipating many creative lists again this year, a few lists for secondary teachers, several “must have” titles, and books to fill your shelves.  Save your money and get your library cards ready!  

If You’d Like to Participate:  

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.  This is helpful, but not necessary.
2. Grab a Badge:  Add the Picture Book 10 for 10 Badge (above) 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 at Reflect and Refine:  Building a Learning Community 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 2014.  (Exercise without leaving our couches.)