Top 20 Read-a-Loud Countdown: #17 and #18

17.  If I Built a House, written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.  I have already gushed on this blog about this wonderful and vibrant look at a boy with cool architectural ideas, a companion to his equally fun If I Built a Car.  This really connects with kids who love shouting out their enthusiasm for the various rooms presented (a race car room!  a room that's one big giant aquarium!  a flying room!).  Seriously, it's rare when a book generates this much excitement with a story time crowd.  Cheers to the 2015 Monarch Award (the Monarch is an Illinois children's choice book award for K through 3rd grade) for nominating this--I feared it would slip through the cracks. 

18.  White Rabbit's Color Book, written and illustrated by Alan Baker.  A really effective way to introduce colors to young kids.  A curious bunny discovers 3 bowls of paint (yellow, blue, red) and decides to bathe in them.  Of course interesting things happen when the rabbit mixes up the colors--suddenly she's green!  Orange!  Even purple!  I have the kids clap whenever the rabbit turns colors and also splash whenever the bunny enjoys a paint bath and ensuing shower.  And there's a wonderful surprise ending that satisfies!