Our Family's 20 Favorite Children's Picture Books
My husband’s love affair with books started a little later than most. Jimmy is dyslexic, and he wasn’t diagnosed until he was in the 6th grade, which means he didn’t start learning to read until he was in the 6th grade. Reading for him in high school was all about necessity—what did he have to read in order to complete an assignment or learn how to do something? He didn’t really read for fun until he met me, something I take great pride in: I turned my husband into a reader. It was really simple actually—I read my favorite books out loud to him, and he discovered that he likes a good story as much as anyone else. Then he found Audible, the app where you can listen to books read aloud, and the rest, as they say, is history.
With all this reading in the family, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that our children love books. Actually they had a slight advantage over most kids when it comes to their personal libraries: I love children’s books and already had an impressive collection before Monkey was even born. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that my children probably have somewhere around 500 books, give or take. So I wanted to share with you our favorite children’s books, both picture and chapter, the books my kids ask to read over and over again.
1. Curious George books
By H. A. Rey
We love Curious George—we love the PBS cartoon (I actually find it pretty funny! š), and we love the books, old and new. Any child can relate to George and his insatiable curiosity, and he’s a great example sometimes of what not to do if you want to stay out of trouble!
2. The Story of Ping
By Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese
This is an old book I remembered from my childhood, and I was thrilled to find it in a thrift store and introduce it to my kids (I rarely buy books new). Ping is a little duck who gets separated from his family when he is late coming home and decides to hide rather than be punished, something every child can sympathize with! The beautiful pictures really bring the world of Ping—the Yangtze River in old China—to life as Ping finds his way back home.
3. Little Oink
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Such an amusing story! Little Oink is a pig who likes to be clean and tidy, but is instructed by his parents that in order to be a good pig, he must make a mess! My kids love the reverse humor in this book, and it’s a great lesson in how it’s okay to be yourself, even if it’s different from other people’s expectations.
4. Good Dog, Carl
By Alexandra Day
If you haven’t seen this book or its sequels, find them! They’re wonderful! Very little writing, the story is told in pictures, making them perfect for children who can’t read yet. Carl is a Rottweiler charged with taking care of Baby while Mommy is away. But while Mommy thinks he and Baby just sit and sleep, they’re actually having all kinds of adventures. So much fun!
5. If You Give A Mouse a Cookie series
By Laura Numeroff
This is one set of books that I bought before the kids were born, and I’m happy to say that they love them as much as I do! The beautiful pictures, the animals’ hijinks, and the way the story always ends where it began have charmed many more people besides my family! Plus, there are so many great sequencing activities for preschoolers based on the books š.
By Efner Tudor Holmes
This book may not be as well-known, but it is one of Monkey’s favorites. Carrie is a little girl who tries to make friends with her reclusive neighbor with varied success. After he rescues her dog, the reader is left with the question, “What was Carrie’s gift?” A beautiful story about friendship and kindness.
By Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
There’s a reason this book is a classic: the engaging rhymes and colorful pictures capture the attention of children everywhere, mine included! I’ve literally memorized this book, I’ve read it so much!
By Shel Silverstein
Another one of Monkey’s favorites (being the oldest, she’s had more time to figure these out). The touching story of a tree’s unconditional love for a boy is truly timeless.
By Crockett Johnson
All three of my kids wish they had a purple crayon like Harold’s! If you draw it, it becomes real! Come to think of it, I want one too!
By John Steptoe
This beautifully illustrated book won a Caldecott medal, and the story is just as lovely. Mufaro has two beautiful daughters, one selfish, one kind. Follow their journey as they each receive their just reward.
By Rita Gray
Several years ago I thought about writing a children’s book about building roads; then we found this book, and I knew someone had done a much better job at it than I could ever have done! Another book I’ve read so often I’ve memorized it! Even my girls like this one!
By Stan & Jan Berenstein
Who doesn’t love the Berenstein bears? All their different adventures teach children important life lessons, from healthy eating to dealing with bullies to being afraid of the dark and so on, couched in interesting stories that kids love.
13. Ferdinand
By Munro Leaf
Another classic about standing out from the crowd and being true to yourself. I never get tired of reading this book!
By Peggy Parrish
Guaranteed to make your kids giggle, Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally with hilarious results, yet somehow, in the end, it all turns out for the best. Also a great way to introduce common idioms your children may not have learned yet.
15. Clifford books
By Norman Bridwell
Curlytop loves dogs, so of course, she loves Clifford! But even the older two love Clifford’s many adventures; it’s fun to see what happens to him next. And did you know he also has a cartoon on PBS now? Check it out (and if you didn’t know, you can download the PBS Kids app free to any device)!
By Dr. Seuss
It wouldn’t be a complete list of children’s picture books without Dr. Seuss, would it? My personal favorite is The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Curlytop (predictably) likes Go, Dog, Go, Monkey likes The Cat in the Hat, and Tater likes Green Eggs and Ham, but there are a lot more than just these four!
By Kin Platt
Another book from my childhood and a great mystery for beginning readers. Big Max, the world’s greatest detective, must help the king of Pooka-pooka find his missing pet elephant. If nothing else, we learn the importance of traveling by umbrella! š
By Robert Munsch
I can’t read this book without crying. Every. Single. Time. Sigh—it’s just so beautiful! The love of a mother for her child, a child for his mother, even as they both grow old, never ceases to move me.
By Jessica Kirkland
Giovanni Fidelli is kind and faithful, as his name suggests. But what really makes this Italian folktale stand out is the Picasso-esque illustrations—very striking!
By Aline Glasgow
One of my absolute favorite children’s books! Liu Li-san is a young Chinese boy who must stay home alone while his father takes his mother to the doctor. How he obeys his mother’s parting injunction to be kind to strangers leads to a surprising twist at the end of the story. I think you’ll like it, too.š
So there you are—our top 20 favorite picture books. Hopefully, there’s one or more on here that you recognize; maybe you saw a new one you’d like to try. What’s your child’s favorite picture book? Leave a comment and tell me all about it! I’d love to hear from you!
Comments
Post a Comment