Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.
Today’s Topic: Top Ten Topics We’d Like to See More in Picture Books
Sorry—we went rogue on today’s top ten topic. We would love to read more about these topics, particularly as moms.
Ricki
1. Race/Ethnicity
I believe children should learn to appreciate different races and ethnicities at an early age. #weneeddiversebooks
2. Bullying
I don’t think we can have enough books about bullying. I would particularly like to read more books that discuss the bystanders of bullying.
3. Grief
There are some phenomenal books about grief, but I know parents and teachers would appreciate more books to guide children through difficult times.
4. Varied Types of Families
Too many picture books portray traditional families. I am always excited to read books like And Tango Makes Three that show the various, loving families that exist.
5. Books that Promote Reading
I tend to fall in love with any book that shows how cool and fun reading can be.
Kellee
Ah! Ricki stole all mine! That’s what I get for writing the post after her…
1. Penguins living in the South Pole not with polar bears or Santa AND apes being called apes, not monkeys
These are two pet peeves, and I would love if they would stop happening.
2. A variety of animals, not just the same ones over and over
Some of my favorite animal picture books I’ve read are favorites because they discuss a variety of animals, not just the same ones as Old McDonald has on his farm over and over.
3. School and learning
I would love to see school be portrayed as a positive place and learning as a the amazing thing it is.
4. Imagination
I love books like The Most Magnificent Thing and The Dot because of how much they promote imagination. Too often kids are losing that imagination time because of technology, so I would love to see more books talk about the importance of imagination.
5. Empathy
I know that this is very similar to Ricki’s bullying, but it is wider and deeper than just bullying. I want to discuss with kids how to be empathetic, how to not judge, how to want to help, how to be a good person, etc.
Which topics would you like to read more about in picture books?
and 
Oh how I love this post. Great thinking! The role of the bystander is one that we really do celebrate when we see it and we need to see it more often! I think Bird Child by Nan Forler is a fantastic book for this. I would love to see more books that feature characters being personally courageous. In a large variety of ways – in their friendships, in risk taking, in school situations, etc.
I love this list and completely agree in the need for more multicultural books. Grief is another important topic that few picture books address. Thank you for sharing!
This is an excellent list. Ricki, I’m definitely on the same page as you (reading pun intended 😉 ) about books promoting reading. I may or may not have embarrassed my husband when the book bin at Kroger had “Bunny Loves to Read” lying on top. (Later, I also discovered “Bunny Loves to Write” — both are in our home library now.)
And Kellee, to your point on imagination: Let me send you a big caps-lock, exclamation-point laden YES!!!!! The more we can spread the word about “unplugging” the imagination, the better. During school presentations, I tell students they don’t need batteries or plugs to power their imagination. They have an endless power supply and an amazing resource to adventure with their imagination.
Great list — thanks for sharing! Hopping over from the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Great list and may I add my pet peeve? … Multicultural dance picture books that show Asian American kids dancing. They dance too, you know!! Thanks for sharing at the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
This is such a wonderful exercise! I whole-heartedly agree with your choices, and I love that a few pet peeves made it in there as well. 😉 Thanks for sharing this with #KidLitBlogHop too!