The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow illustrated by Steven Salerno*

This biography is moving to the top of my favorites list!
The illustrations are bold and expressive.  Words are inadequate to describe how they give the story such life and vibrancy!
Ms. Biebow engages the reader immediately with her well chosen words and sentence structure.  She shares about Edwin Binney and his occupation and how it evolved into making a crayon that children could use safely and easily. 
In the back the author includes photographs from the actual Crayola Factory in Easton, PA and how crayons are currently made.  A must read before touring this factory (or afterwards!).
A great book when discussing inventors, experimenting and persevering!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham illustrated by Paul O. Zelinksy*

Sarah Mackenzie (Read Aloud Revival) recently posted this picture book as her "book of the week". 
I am glad I read it aloud to my nine year (just for fun) because one page made him belly laugh!!
Zebra is directing an alphabet play, and Moose cannot wait for his turn so he continuously pops up in other creature/object's spotlight.
My son and I were impressed with Mr. Zelinksy's ability to illustrate some of the crazy pages, especially the lettering.
A sweet ending!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson*

Perfect book for spring and for seed units.
I think this is my favorite one by Ms. Matheson.
Once again Ms. Matheson involves the reader by telling them to press, count, wiggle fingers etc.  Before their eyes, a zinnia garden grows and reseeds itself!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson*

This author/illustrator creates such sweet interactive books.
She tells the readers to tap, blow, pat etc to bring the natural world alive at night.  In the back she provides additional information about the creatures and creation she included, simple enough for toddlers/preschoolers to understand.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Mr. Mistoffelees The Conjuring Cat by T.S. Eliot illustrated by Arthur Robins*

Mr. Robins has illustrated several of T.S. Eliot's poems and made them into individual picture books.
The song about Mr. Mistoffelees is my favorite from the Cat's musical so it was fun to read the poem in a picture book!
These picture books enable younger readers to appreciate T.S. Eliot's work or allow older readers to understand the poem better.  I would even have these books available to junior high or high school readers when studying T. S. Eliot!
*Highly  recommend.
-Borrowed via Inter-library (my county library system does not own it).
Others I read from this series- Skimbleshanks-The Railway Cat and Jellicle Cats.

Eddie Red Undercover- Myster in Mayan Mexico by Marcia Wells

I read this book aloud to my boys since we had just studied the Mayas.  This book, however, did not include too much about the Mayas (just their gods!).  It was full of action, adventure and humor!
When Eddie's mom travels to Mexico for work, she brings him, his father and Eddie's friend Jonah along.  Their vacation soon turns to an investigation when Eddie's father is accused of taking a Mayan mask from the hotel. 
Eddie and Jonah find themselves involved in a local gang, Las Plumas, and a sweet local girl, Julia.
Points to discuss: Jonah likes Julia -she gives him a kiss on the cheek before he returns to the U.S., gangs, Jonah gives a lot of credibility to the Mayan gods

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen A. Jenson, MA and Gail Poyner, PhD illustrated by Debbie Fox*

I first heard about this book via Focus on the Family.
Although this book is divided up into chapters (topical), there is an ongoing dialogue between a boy and his mother about pornography.  The mother discusses with her son what pornography is, the parts and functions of the brain, what an addiction is and how it affects the brain.  She also shares some steps what to do if one sees an pornographic image.
I found this book extremely helpful to provide an avenue to talk to my boys about pornography.  I really appreciated how it incorporated the science behind an addiction.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from a friend.