Any Patricia Polacco fans?

I am a huge fan of Patricia Polacco and I am surprised that some people think she goes over kids heads sometimes. I think some adults underestimate how much children understand the world around them. She has written some 50 books over 20 plus years. Anyone have a favorite of hers?

I have two absolute favourites - The butterfly and Thank you, Mr Falker. in New Zealand, we talk about sophisticated picture books e.g. picture books that are aimed more at older readers, often with themes, subjects or references that older readers would relate to or appreciate. Many of her books would fit into that category.

I love her books and her artwork. The kids I read her books to loved them. Sometimes I did a little explaining, but nothing extraordinary. I loved Chicken Sunday and Mrs. Katz and Tush.

I enjoy her books, and know of 2 3rd grade teachers who share her books with their classes and no complaints. Pink and Say is one of my favorites, however, I do believe it is geared for upper elementary.

I love to read Thunder Cake to my Pre-K kids in the spring when we get the first thunderstorm in Oklahoma during school. They don't seem to be so scared of thunder after we read it. (I wish I had time to bake the cake....)

The kids seem to really enjoy the thread of autobiography that runs through most of her books (except maybe Just Plain Fancy.) "You mean this really happened? COOL!"

I can't get through Chicken Sunday, Thank You, Mr. Falker, I can Hear the Sun, or The Trees of the Dancing Goats without tearing up. I read her books whenever I get the chance and have read them to all different age groups. I think the beauty and tenderness in her telling is something that should not be denied young children. There are some topics that will need time for discussion depending on how well you know your audience, but that is part of the wonder of Polacco's style. She opens the door to meaningful conversations about difficult subjects in a caring, down-to-earth way young children will understand and appreciate.

Here's another vote in favor of Ms Polacco!

I absolutely love her style, not to mention her illustrations, they are so different from normal children's books. I love the way she includes pencil sketches with her paintings, it is very stunning and has a lot of appeal for me. I am a mom of two kids, who love reading and being read to and some of her works are my absolute favorites. Two that are standing out for me right now are Thank You, Mr. Falker and Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair. As a future educator and mom of a 19 and 8 year old I know kids love her books!

I love Ms. Polacco!! I've taught with quite a few of her books, particularly Pink and Say and Chicken Sunday. My students love that so many of Ms. Polacco's works are inspired by her childhood memories and experiences. After reading her books, many of my students have started believing that they too can become authors!

I love The Keeping Quilt and many more too.

I love her book. I have read most of them.

Patricia Polacco is a great author. I was lucky enough to get to one of her signings last year. She's also nice in person. I think her stories are touching, and the fact that they are not totally fiction make them even better. My favorite book she wrote is probably The Junkyard Wonders, although most of her works are great. I 100% agree with your post, too.

I am a sucker for The Keeping Quilt, Mrs. Katz and Tush and Thundercake. Fabulous!

The end of Chicken Sunday makes me cry.

my two favorites are: Thunder Cake and Babushka's Doll. Even five year old kids understand the moral of Babushka's Doll and that the little girl in the story is demanding.

oh, and for middle school, Pink and Say

What about The Bee Tree and Tree of the Dancing Goats and Appelmando's Dream? I also love Babushka's Doll, The Keeping Quilt, and My rotten Red-headed Brother!

The only book I've read by her is In Our Mothers' House, which I really adore. I do think, though, that this one might go over the heads of children at the picture-book stage since it concludes with the children growing up, their mothers growing old, and their mothers eventually dying and being buried together. This may be a book that's going to appeal to lesbian parents more so than to quite young children.

For children of lesbian couples, I'd more recommend books like Heather Has Two Mommies and Molly's Family when the children are still at picture-book stage.