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.

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.)


34 comments

  1. I love Alphabet Mystery! I am going to look up that Helen Lester book!
    Will be creating a post to link up with you for sure!

    frogsandfirstgraders.blogspot.com

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  2. This is a great idea for a party. I'm going to link up later this week. Maybe tomorrow. Love it!
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

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  3. I put my new button up!! woohoo, Great Idea!

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    1. I had some trouble with the code for the button. so I copied the image and image location and linked it that way. (Just in case someone else has trouble)
      Jessica
      Tales of a First Grade Teacher

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    2. Thanks for letting me know you had trouble with it, Jessica. I hope I have it fixed now. Hopefully!
      --Chrissy

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  4. Fabulous idea for a party, Chrissy. I'll definitely link up later this week. Tuesday or Wednesday.

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

    PS I was very nervous about doing mine, too!

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    1. Thanks, Barb! I've enjoyed the drama posts from your linky party.
      --Chrissy

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  5. I am a blogstalker, not a blog writer so I can't link up. However, I just ordered the two Helen Lester books and How To Behave and Why. Thanks for the recommendation! I can't wait to use them in class!

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    1. Thanks for telling me. I'm glad you found some books you could use.
      --Chrissy

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  6. Oh my gosh, I can't believe you have How to Behave and Why on your post! When I was expecting my son, a parent gave me this book as a shower gift and I had never heard of it. It's a very special and unique book. My son is still too young to enjoy it, but as he gets older I know we'll read it to him. The parent who gave it to me told me in her note how helpful it was as she and her husband raised 3 boys. Thanks so much for sharing!
    Shining and Sparkling in First Grade

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    1. I wasn't sure anyone else had heard of that book. Thank you so much for sharing that great story!
      --Chrissy

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  7. Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that I gave you the One Lovely Blog Award. I am your newest follower!

    Elissa
    http://www.hardworkingteachingmomma.blogspot.com

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  8. Thanks so much for visiting my blog this week! CUTE BLOG! I'm a new follower! Michelle
    nomonkeybusinessmichelle.blogspot.com

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  9. Great idea for a linky party! Thanks for hosting. :)

    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

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  10. Great linky. Just linked up.
    Miss Nelson

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  11. I love picture book linkys! I can't wait for October. This is going to really help me plan for read-alouds too.
    ~Heather
    The Meek Moose

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  12. Hi there! I found you on the Newbie Blog Hop and I am your newest follower! I also gave you two awards! Stop by my blog to pick them up!

    Tamberly

    A Window Into Mrs. Wheeler’s Class
    http://awindowintomrswheelersclass.blogspot.com

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  13. I am your newest follower!!! I also linked up with you. I actually told one person I didn't like her idea--I really hate when people do sorts of real words and pretend or fake words. I even asked my professor about it, and he said to "Stay Away!" Reading should be concrete, and so should sorts.

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  14. L.O.V.E this linky party, and I just joined in!! I'm your newest follower... until the next person follows! :)

    Angela
    Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!

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  15. I love this idea for a party! It will be a long time before I'm brave enough to try this but I sure do like linking up with great teachers! Thanks for sharing!
    Heather Langley

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    1. I was very scared to try it, but it's worked. It took me a long time to get it working and make the button. Next time it will be easier. Let me know when you do one!
      Chrissy
      First Grade Found Me

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  16. Great book selections! I love your idea for the book linky party!!

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  17. Great linky party idea! I hope you do all the holidays:)
    Carrie
    The Common Core Classroom

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    1. That's the plan! I'm glad you like the idea. I really hope you'll come back for them.
      Chrissy
      First Grade Found Me

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  18. Great linky idea:) Congratulations on a successful party. Hope you do more!I will be linking up tomorrow.

    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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  19. Your blog design is SO cute. I'm glad I found you! I teach first grade too, let's link up! Do you want to guest blog on my blog - I would love it! Let me know.

    Emily
    Tangled with Teaching

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  20. Thanks for checking out my link up! I have not figured out how to add a "reply" button on my individual comments so I'm answering your question about Tpt back at your blog. Always learning! Anyway, posting to Tpt was a challenge especially because I think the site had some problems the evening I was trying. I hit post without truly understanding what I was doing and posted one page of many documents I wanted to post. Then I spent a day or two figuring out how to delete that mistake. After going back and combining all my documents into one I was able to post pretty easily. I guess the mistakes in the beginning made it easier in the end! If your interested in seeing my first Tpt post I blogged about it! http://mrslangleysclass.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-first-tpt-item.html
    Thanks for the great linking party. I have enjoyed reading everyone's ideas about Back to School Books!
    Heather

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  21. I'm excited to find a home for my picture book post! Thanks for hosting!
    ReadWriteSing

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  22. I love this idea for a linky party! I just became your newest follower! I will be linking up soon! :) I'm so excited to see everyone's suggestions!

    Jackie
    Crazy Daze in First Grade

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