It’s Tuesday!  Which means Top Ten Tuesday hosted over at The Broke and The Bookish.  Today’s theme is Top Ten Favorite Characters from a genre.  Mine is: Top Ten Favorite Characters from Picture Books.  All of the characters that I mention below have excellent, positive qualities that I hope to instill in my son (and myself).

1.  Amos McGee from A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and Illustrated by Erin Stead.

Amos McGee is a wonderful, sweet, reliable man who cares deeply for his friends.  When he gets a cold and doesn’t go to work one day — his friends come to keep him company.  I love how he is such a good friend.

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2.  Stillwater from the Zen Ties and Zen Shorts and Zen Ghosts books by Jon Muth.

Stillwater is a deep, profound character who always knows the right thing to say and do without being preachy or lecturing.

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3.  Molly Lou Melon from Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and Illustrated by David Catrow.

Molly Lou Melon listens and takes to heart her grandmother’s advice to be herself.  She’s positive and strong and doesn’t feel sorry for herself.  She doesn’t let the Ronald Durkins of the world get to her.

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4.  Woolbur from Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski and Illustrated by Lee Harper.

Woolbur is another great character that is himself.  He’s so positive and happy.  He’s curious and independent — and keeps his parents awake at night with worry.  He turns out just fine — just like his grandpa said he would.

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5.  Asiago from Asiago by Adam McHeffey.

Asiago may have a difficult time when his friends invite him to go to the beach — but he doesn’t whine or complain.  He’s just honest about it all.  He does his best and then when his friends invite him to the beach again (at night) he gives it a go.

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6.  Little Pea from Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Illustrated by Scott Magoon.

Little Pea doesn’t like having to eat candy for dinner — like all good peas are supposed to do — but he does it.  His favorite food is spinach and he happily chomps it down for dessert.  Yum. Yum. Extra Yum.

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7.  Mole from Mole Music written and illustrated by David McPhail.

Mole has always led a simple life.  One day on the television he sees a man playing the violin.  This inspires him to order a violin and start practicing himself.  At first he is terrible, but over the years as he keeps practicing he gets better and better.  He dreams of playing for others and little does he know — he is.  Mole’s persistence at playing the violin is inspiring and beautiful.

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8.  Ulysse from The Three Little Cajun Pigs by Mike Artell and illustrated by Jim Harris.

Ulysse is the smart pig in this retelling of the three little pigs.  He makes his home from bricks.  He saves his brothers from the gator even though his brothers laughed and made fun of him for working so hard.  Then, he even teaches his brothers how to make their own houses.

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9. Bink and Gollie from Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and Illustrated by Tony Fucile.

Bink and Gollie are best friends with excellent vocabulary and great imaginations.  They don’t always get along perfectly but they are perfect for each other.

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10.  Vashti from The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

Vashti doesn’t fancy herself an artist at first — but she does something very important to become an artist. She listens and takes to heart the words and acts of encouragement and advice from her teacher.  From the simple step of drawing a dot she works hard and becomes an artist.  She then goes on to give encouragement to others.  It’s beautiful.

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FTC Disclosures:  Some of the links in the post above are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the book, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”