The 2018-2019 Picture Book Identification Challenge

Last year, classrooms, teachers, and students in our school district were invited to participate in the Ultimate Character Tournament, an optional, district-wide program for all elementary classrooms to determine our students’ favorite children’s book characters. (There was also a public vote.) The character tournament is taking a hiatus this year, but another program is taking its place. And just like last year, it’s open to the public!

So to all you teachers, students, librarians, parents, book-lovers, and random website visitors, welcome to …

The Picture Book Identification (PBID) Challenge!

Here’s how it works: Every Monday, starting September 10, an image from a picture book will be posted here on Help Readers Love Reading along with a question. Here’s an example.

This boy thinks he should move to a new country. What country?*

Can you identify the book? The character? Can you remember why he has that grumpy look? Maybe you know all of that but just can’t remember that he wants to move to … that other country. That’s okay. Go look. Go get that book and find the answer.

Once you have the answer - or your best guess - share it by leaving a comment. Click “comments” below the post or use the comment form at the bottom of the page. However, all comments are moderated and will not appear immediately.

The following Monday a video will be posted that reveals the answer, tells the title of the book, and includes a short talk about the book. At that time all the moderated comments will be approved, and everyone’s answers will appear in the order they were given. That way the answers stay hidden until the official answer is revealed.

That’s it! Check back every Monday for a new question, last week’s answer, and to see how well everyone is doing in the PBID Challenge.

To help keep track of new images and questions, sign up for email updates using the form on the right at the top of the page. Enter your address, check the “I’m not a robot” box in the new window that appears, and make sure to follow the directions in the verification email you will receive. (Teachers in my district, this is the only way I will contact you about the challenge, so if you want to participate, please sign up for email notifications.)

You can also follow @HelpReaders on Twitter and Instagram, and watch the #PBIDchallenge hashtag on social media. Just be sure to check back here every Monday morning during the 2018-2019 school year to see how you do in the PBID Challenge! 

*Answer: Australia. From the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.