We are on a huge Joyce kick over here. If you happen to be in our {Virtual} Family Book Club, or if you follow us on Instagram, you’ve seen us gush about our Joyce-related joy. Joyce has been a frequent Coffee and Books pick!
William Joyce is an amazingly talented author, illustrator, and filmmaker. He won an Academy Award for his short film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and has won Emmys for his Rollie Polie Olie series. He is the face behind the TV series George Shrinks. He has written and illustrated over fifty books. His art has graced the cover of the New Yorker and has been on exhibit in museums.
Joyce’s books are absolutely fantastic! I thought it only fitting that we extend our kick for another month and enjoy a Joyce-themed month of books with the {Virtual} Family Book Club at My Little Poppies!
I promise, your kids will love these books!
A Month of William Joyce Books!
Last month, we enjoyed a month of library-themed books. I also tried something new. Rather than listing a schedule of books to read, I shared a bunch of our favorites and asked book clubbers to pick and choose. I am going to do the same for Joyce because, if your kids are anything like mine, they will want to read everything he’s ever written! That said, our top three picks would be the following:
So, without further ado, I present to you our favorite Joyce books.
Billy’s Booger
I love everything about this book! Billy’s Booger tells the true story of William Joyce’s very first book… and it didn’t win any prizes, folks! I love that this is a memoir, I love that the original story is included, I love how much it makes my kids giggle, and I love how this book inspires them to write and create after we close its covers. Plus, if you are a Poppy Parent, you will easily recognize Billy’s giftedness, from his intellect to his OEs.
Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo
What happens when a family, on an African safari, stumbles upon a dinosaur named Bob? Why, they take him home, of course! Your children will love this hilarious story.
George Shrinks
One day, while his parents are out, George wakes up to discover he is only three inches tall. How will he complete his daily chores? Your kids will love watching him tackle every single one!
Jack Frost (The Guardians of Childhood)
My children adore The Guardians of Childhood series. In this series, Joyce takes you on a whimsical journey through time and shares the origins of many childhood characters, including Jack Frost, The Man in the Moon, and The Sandman. Jack Frost, the third book in the series, is a richly illustrated tale about how Jack Frost came to be.
Ollie’s Odyssey
Does your child have a comfort object? That one toy that is so much more special than the rest? This is the story about one such toy, a stuffed animal named Ollie.
Rolie Polie Olie (series)
This was our first introduction to William Joyce, many years ago. We actually found this gem at the free table at our town’s transfer station. It was an instant hit! My children love this quirky family of aliens, with its fantastic illustrations!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Every year, I pick one or two of our favorite books of the year and give them as birthday gifts for the entire year. THIS BOOK is going to be one of those gifts. In fact, I would give this book to any reader in my life, young or old. It is a book for book lovers. I still cannot read it without tearing up at the end. I cannot wait to see the film!
The Guardians Series: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King; E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core!; Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies
If you loved The Guardians of Childhood picture books, you’ll love these novels. Have you ever wondered about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy? These books will capture your child’s imagination and fill them with wonder! A note of warning to parents of sensitive children. While this series is fantastic, there is some underlying suspense which may be too much for younger, sensitive kiddos. Be sure to pre-read just in case!
The Man in the Moon (The Guardians of Childhood)
The Man in the Moon is the first picture book in The Guardians of Childhood series, and it is my boys’ favorite in the series. The story explains how the very first Guardian of Childhood, the Man in the Moon and protector of dreams, came to be.
The Mischievians
This book is fantastic. It makes my children belly laugh and it inspires them to find their own mischievians in our day-to-day life. I love a book that creates giggles and inspires the imagination!
The Numberlys
This is such a unique twist on all of those alphabet and number books on the market. It tells the story of The Numberlys, who lived in a futuristic world of gray. Their world contained only numbers… until some Numberlys decided to spice things up and get creative. The alphabet was born!
The Sandman and the War of Dreams (The Guardians of Childhood)
This is my daughter’s favorite book from The Guardian of Childhood series. The second book in the series, The Sandman tells the story of how Sanderson Mansnoozie (I mean, c’mon– what a fun name for a read aloud!) came to be one of the guardians of childhood.
#coffeeandbooks Hand-selected by the Birthday Boy!
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