I’ve been curating my bookshelf since age 8. Following are books that I feel are truly worth their space on the shelf. As I invest more time in this endeavor, you can read a little of why I chose these special titles.
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The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum and Illustrated by Charles Santore
My real love affair with this book began as a parent. My sons, old enough to appreciate the many-nights length of the story while they had such gorgeous pictures to study, asked for this book on repeat. And I have had SO much fun voice acting my way through the reading. I will never forget how the boys JUMPED in terrified delight as the wicked witch screamed and moaned her way into a puddle. I recommend this version in particular for Charles Santore’s luscious painting.
Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans
King Jack and the Dragon, by Peter Bentley and Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Peter Bently’s poetry is lyrical and evocative without ever feeling forced, which is kind of a big deal these days. And Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations always add to the story, seamlessly joining the real and make-believe worlds these little boys rule over and fight for. It’s the best kind of play, brought to life by the best kind of magical, timeless artwork. For more of my thoughts and an activity idea, read my full post.
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown and Illustrated by Clement Hurd
I have read this little book with all four of my babies. It was the FIRST book that my youngest, Aliza, sat still for and “requested” on repeat. Margaret Wise Brown’s words are gentle, lyrical, and simple. Clement Hurd’s pictures are gentle, simple, and familiar–and yet, I am still discovering little details in his artwork! Here is a lullaby of a book that naturally gets your baby identifying the familiar things around her without being a same-old “word book.” This story led to Aliza’s first pointed-out thing in a story, and then her first word: “kitty cat.”
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton
Cross Country Cat, by Mary Calhoun and Illustrated by Erick Ingraham
Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth, by Eric Carle
This book grew on me very slowly (pun intended). The first time I read it I agreed with the anteater: boring! But then I tried again, and its simple magic began to take hold. Try reading it v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, getting into the character of this thoughtful and dignified sloth. (I am probably also biased , as I took a trip to Costa Rica in college and saw many of the creatures in this book firsthand. I love being able to share them with my kids through this little story.) There are many Eric Carle books worth reading and owning; his illustration style is one inspiration for what I create. I chose to highlight this title because of its lesser-known reputation and because my own opinion of it changed so dramatically as I gave it another chance.
Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney
Barbara Cooney herself especially loved this book, and included it in a short list: “Of all the books I have done, ‘Miss Rumphius,’ ‘Island Boy,’ and ‘Hattie and the Wild Waves,’ are the closest to my heart. These three are as near as I will ever come to an autobiography.” In Miss Rumphius, we recognize the value she places on family and intergenerational relationships, especially for teaching the important things of life to children. Miss Rumphius’s “life song” is encapsulated and repeated this way:
“When I grow up,” I tell her, “I too will go to faraway places and come home to live by the sea.” “That is all very well, little Alice,” says my aunt, “but there is a third thing you must do…You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”
Barbara Cooney (Miss Rumphius)
Thank you, Ms. Cooney, for the lupine flower legacy of Miss Rumphius, and for YOUR legacy of beautiful, important books for children. You have “done the third, most difficult thing of all.”
Classic Bible Stories, by Rhona Davies and Illustrated by Tommaso D’Incalci
Wynken Blynken and Nod and Other Verses, by Eugene Field and Illustrated by Fern Bisel Peat
The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Angus and the Ducks, Angus and the Cat, Angus Lost, by Marjorie Flack
I don’t remember how I found these gems, but I ordered the three Angus books for a Lewis birthday gift. I read them promptly when they arrived, and by page three of book 1, I KNEW I had discovered something good! Marjorie Flack gave this little dog a BIG personality, and her creative use of typesetting makes it impossible to read without personality. Example: “He was curious about Things-Which-Come-Apart and those Things-Which-Don’t-Come-Apart; such as SLIPPERS and gentlemen’s SUSPENDERS and things like that.” And imagine my delight to find, tucked away in an old letter from my Grandma: “Let us know when you read especially good children’s books. We do a lot of reading aloud to Carina, Arianna, and Miquel [cousins]. I hope you found Marjorie Flack’s ANGUS AND THE CAT. The behavior of the animals is so like your Mom’s description of L.J.’s visits to Cecil’s house, except that Angus was there first when the cat moved in.” These books have brought delight on repeat to my preschoolers, to my elementary boys when they’re in the mood for a bit of a snuggle, as well as myself.
Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Rhoda’s Rock Hunt, by Molly Griffin and Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
Moses the Kitten, by James Herriot and Illustrated by Peter Barrett
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, by Du Bose Heyward and Illustrated by Marjorie Flack
Fish Do The Strangest Things, by Leonora and Arthur Hornblow and Illustrated by Michael K. Frith
Duck Duck Moose, by Dave Horowitz
We’re Going On A Picnic! by Pat Hutchins
Harold’s Trip to the Sky, by Crockett Johnson
A Family of Poems, Curated by Caroline Kennedy and Illustrated by Jon J. Muth
The Gingerbread Pirates, by Kristin Kladstrup and Illustrated by Matt Tavares
The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf and Illustrated by Robert Lawson
Hiawatha, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Illustrated by Susan Jeffers
You Are Special, by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Sergio Martinez
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault and Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
This sweet story has been part of my life since I was 4 years old, and it’s delightful to share it now with my children, as we hustle through the blueberries on Blueberry Hill along with Sal and Little Bear. When this book, ideal for ages 2-4, was on the regular reading list in my home, I would sometimes overhear my son’s little voice, over his own bowl of blueberries or just while playing out in the living room, saying “Pink, pink, PUNK!” He often shares quotes from his favorite books when I least expect him to be thinking of such things, and it’s so fun to have this glimpse into his thought process, imagination, and remarkable verbal and memory abilities.
One Morning In Maine, by Robert McCloskey
These Things I Wish, by Lee Pitts and Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
Song of the Swallows, by Leo Politi
The Complete Adventures of Curious George, by Margret and H.A. Rey
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site, by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
It’s A Dog’s New York, by Susan L. Roth
Skippyjon Jones, by Judy Schachner
Carolina Shout! by Alan Schroeder and Illustrated by Bernie Fuchs
Birth of An Island, by Millicent Selsam and Illustrated by Winifred Lubell
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Mischievous Max in his wolf suit begins his adventure by getting sent to bed without supper, where he further retreats across the ocean of his imagination to discover the Wild Things. He learns things about himself, and ultimately about love, and returns to reality finding supper waiting for him after all. There are multiple kids’ books I love because after all the adventures, the little heroes return home knowing that, more than anything else, Home is full of love and is the best adventure of all. Mamas and Daddies and Wild Things need a little space sometimes to remember it, but in the end, nobody welcomes you home with a hot supper and bear hugs quite like the people who love you at Home. This is every child’s dream. Let’s do everything in our power, Mamas and Daddies, to make it our children’s reality.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
In our home, we side with the Whos: we like Christmas a lot. This year my three-year-old took a fast liking to Dr. Seuss’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” We read it 1-3 times daily in the month leading up to Christmas, and my husband is pretty sure it increased to upwards of 5 times daily during the week of Christmas vacation. We are well after Christmas now, but it has continued to be an often-requested naptime story. I knew my son was familiar with the text; he would correct small errors in the reading, and small differences between the book and the original 1966 TV script. But then came an afternoon when he proved that he has the whole nearly memorized, and he recited this story for ME! I find it delightful and amazing to watch his mind at work. And this story has enough personality to match his own!
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
We Were Tired of Living in a House, by Leisel Moak Skorpen and Illustrated by Doris Burn
I’m convinced one of the wonders of childhood is the thrill of creating “homes” out of anything, especially outdoors. Each winter I am reminded that when Cabin Fever sets in, oftentimes the effects are just bewilderingly angry and whiny and mean-to-each-other chaotic. Sometimes, kids just get tired of living in a house, folks! Though it’s been reimagined by Joe Cepeda, the illustrations by Doris Burn in the original edition of this story add more understanding and eloquence than many paragraphs of words could convey, and the effect is magical. This book can get you and your kids talking about complicated emotions and dreaming of castles by the sea.
The Brick Bible, by Brendan Powell Smith
Farmer Schulz’s Ducks, by Colin Thiele and Illustrated by Mary Milton
Crictor, by Tomi Ungerer
Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth, by Douglas Wood and Illustrated by P.J. Lynch
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