Twelve Days of Christmas: Gift Books: Kindergarten-2nd Grade (Picture Books, part 2)

On the second day of Christmas, we continued with picture books!

(5) How to Bicycle to the Moon to Plant Sunflowers: a simple but brilliant plan in 24 easy steps by Mordicai Gerstein. 

This is one of my top selections from my Summer Reading list this year. I love that it inspires imagination.

From the publisher:

In this simple, step-by-step instructional picture book, learn how you too can visit the moon on your bicycle! All you need is a very long garden hose, a very large slingshot, a borrowed spacesuit, and a bicycle . . . and plenty of imagination. With tongue firmly in cheek, Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein outlines the steps needed in glorious comic book-style panels and a deadpan voice, leaving nothing out: the food you'll eat, how to deal with loneliness in space, how to water those sunflower seeds once they're planted—even how to deal with the media attention back home after a successful trip. An inspired work of whimsy, How to Bicycle to the Moon to Plant Sunflowers is a spacefaring adventure for daydreamers and a starter kit for the imagination.

(6) Crankenstein by Samantha Berger.

We have all felt like a Crankenstein at some point, right? I love this kid...and this book.

From the publisher:

BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN!

He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein. When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic--or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day!

(7) Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman. 

I reviewed this one over the summer here. And I still love it! Get this one for family of all ages.

(8) The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Dewalt.

Who hasn't wondered what their box of crayons is thinking? I know that as I was lining up my 64-count box in color order, I wondered what they did when I wasn't using them.

From the publisher:

Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.

What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Missed yesterday's suggestions (picture books #1-#4)? Click here.

And remember, if you want an immediate link to the entire list, see this post.