I am just a little obsessed with picture books, especially picture books that not only have a story full of delight and inspiration, but also have beautiful illustrations. Below are just a few of the many lovely picture books my children and I get lost in together. I hope you can experience the same wonderous adventure with your children, too!
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12 Picture Books Worthy of Shelf Space
Journey with Sadie on an adventurous ride through her vivid imagination. This story reminds us to foster imaginative play in our kids and not let childhood be lost on them. I especially liked the last page because it reminded me that we all have an important story we are writing.
THE RABBIT LISTENED BY CORI DOERRFELD
This is a story about a boy who builds a tower just to have it come crashing down. All his animal friends try, and fail to help him process his feelings in ways that make sense to them. It isn’t until rabbit comes along though and just listens that the boy is able to sort out his feelings. This is a beautiful story about how sometimes just being there and listening is all someone needs.
PAPER MICE BY MEGAN WAGNER LLOYD
This is a fun story about two paper mice who come to life at night. They don’t know the other one is there as they go on several adventures alone through the house. The mice quickly learn how difficult doing things alone is and wish they had a friend. They finally meet and all their challenges don’t seem as hard anymore and life really is much better with friends.
NOBODY HUGS A CACTUS BY CARTER GOODRICH
This is a story about Hank, the prickly cactus. Hank has convinced himself that he likes to be alone and gets annoyed when he is disturbed, and he definitely does not want to give any hugs. One day he realizes no one is even asking him for a hug and he starts to feel lonely. Hank changes his mindset and learns it’s much better to get a hug than to be lonely. I loved the message in this book that with a change in mindset you can have an entirely different outlook on life.
THE DIGGER AND THE FLOWER BY JOSEPH KUEFLER
One day while at a construction site to build a new city, the digger finds a flower. The digger stops his work on the city and begins to protect and care for the flower. His attempt to keep the flower safe does not last long and the flower is cut down. Digger realizes that he can take the seeds, dig into the ground and plant them, and they will produce beauty, which no one else had seen previously, amongst the new city.
SLEEP LIKE A TIGER BY MARY LOGUE
This is a fun bedtime story about a princess who doesn’t want to go to sleep. Her parents answer all her questions about how animals go to sleep before finally saying goodnight. The princess is still not sleepy, so she pretends to sleep like all the animals until before long she is finally fast asleep. This is such a cute bedtime story that truly helps with bedtime.
JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO FLY BY JULIE FOGLIANO
This story might make you cry into a puddle of mommy or daddy. It’s a story about giving your child what they need to set off on their own adventures, all while still being their landing place. It is precious and so perfectly portrays a parent-child relationship.
THE OLD TRUCK BY JEROME PUMPHREY
This is a wonderful story with equally as wonderful illustrations. This is a story about a hard working truck on a family farm and how the farmers daughter befriends the truck, in a way. Throughout the story you see the seasons change, the years go by and how hard the family and truck work. The girl, now grown, sees how rusty and old the truck has become and is determined to restore her old friend.
SLEEP TIGHT FARM BY EUGENIE DOYLE
This is a fun book that looks into the lives of farmers, specifically as they are getting the farm ready for winter. You read about all aspects of preparing for winter from harvesting and storing food, animal care and farm equipment. Each page you say goodnight to different things on the farm, ending with saying goodnight to the farmers. After reading this book we always have fun discussions about what it would be like to live on a farm.
This is a story about a girl named Mae, who moved to the city and couldn’t bring her garden. She tries to find a place for her garden all over the new city with no success. One day she stumbles upon a forest in the middle of the city and sees a green sprout reaching from a gap in the wall. Mae is full of anticipation and hope as she runs home to put the sprout in a jar and watch it grow and turn into her garden.
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET BY MATT DE LA PEÑA
This is an award winning story about a grandmother and her grandson, CJ. Young CJ has much to complain about as they travel together by bus to the last stop on Market street, but his grandmother has a different perspective. This is an eye opening must read book for children and parents alike.
THE KEEPER OF WILD WORDS BY BROOKE SMITH
This is an absolutely beautiful story about a grandmother, her granddaughter and the wonder of nature. It’s a story about not letting what is right in front of us be forgotten and then disappear. A good reminder that the older generation has a responsibility to the younger generation to open their eyes to the beauty all around them and remember it.
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