My First Linky Party! Back-to-School Books

One of my sweet bloggy friends recently said I was very honest in some comments I wrote. Well, it's time for some honesty again. I've wanted to host a linky party for a while, but I was afraid. Would anyone like my idea for the party? Could I do it (code, etc.)? So today I took the plunge and decided to give it a try.
My idea is a series of linky parties called "Holiday Picture Books." The first one will be "Back to School" books. I know this isn't really a holiday, but it seems so fit for me since it's such a significant time of year. Hopefully it makes sense to you too. After this Back-to-School party I was thinking of doing another one about Halloween books, then Thanksgiving books... you get the idea, right? There are so many books I enjoy reading to my first graders at these times of the year and I know you must have your favorites too so why don't we share?

border from KPM Doodles, clipart from Scrappindoodles.com

Here are some of my favorites:

Maybe it's because I raised rabbits, but I love these books! The bunnies are so cute! But more importantly there a fun way to kick off our beginning of the year review of colors, shapes, and letters. Students can also join in by naming the shapes in the pictures and the letters that come next. In the color book, the rabbit jumps in yellow then in red and students can try to guess what color the rabbit will be. My students always ask me to read these multiple times. And I'm happy to do it!

These are two more of my favorite alphabet books:

 Don't you just love the Tack the Penguin books? When I saw Helen Lester's name on this book, I had to have it! It's a hilarious story about a little pig named Pinkerton who, of course, HAS to be first. He's first on the slide, first to read the book everyone wants, and first on the school bus, shoving others out of the way. Pinkerton learns his lesson, and I'm able to have a nice discussion with my class about taking turns.

 Helen Lester again! How many times have we all heard "I didn't do it. I wasn't my fault?" I read this book in the first few days of school but am thinking I should probably keep it handy and read it several times throughout the year.

I found this in a local book store a few years ago. I wasn't sure my students would like it, but they really do. I read a section a day and the children usually ask for it as soon as we go to the rug. It's basically about how to be happy and have people want to be around you. I wish I could remember all the topics it covers, but I haven't read it in almost a year and it's at school. Honesty and Strength are the two I do remember. I like how it explains the difference between physically strong and morally strong. The stick figures are adorable! And it's by the author of The Story of Ferdinand which I also like.

If you've got some favorite books you'd like to share, please link up! Be sure to add this button and link up with the url of your blog post.

If you're looking for some new books to add to your library for the start of the year, please take a look through these linked up blogs.

<a href="http://firstgradefoundme.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-firsts-linky-party-back-to-school.html" target="_blank"><img src=http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m504/ChrissyH76/backtoschool.jpg></a>

I can't wait to find some new fabulous book ideas! This linky party will be open until September 31. If this goes well, keep an eye out for the 2nd in the series, "Halloween Picture Books," to start in September.
(Shhhh... can I tell you... I'm nervous to click "publish." I hope this works and someone links up.)