Barbara Bockman
Broken Feather by Verla Kay
One of my favorite picture book authors is Verla Kay. I will
choose Broken Feather to tell about because it illustrates the reason I hold her in such high regard. And as a matter of fact, Verla Kay autographed my copy of this book when I met her at the SCBWI Conference in Miami. Ms. Kay tells interesting historic tales that bring to life certain aspects of American history that everyone might not be aware of. Broken Feather is written in Verla Kay’s signature concise, highly informative poetic style. In Broken Feather, she fictionalized the opening up of the West as it pertained to, and interrupted the lives of, the Native Americans. It is poignant and beautifully illustrated in relief-block prints by Stephen Alcorn.
Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi by Tomie de Paola
This book is illustrated in Tomi de Paola’s gently colored pictures that, though stylized, seem to take the me right into the story, as do all his other books. This is a case in which the writer has to choose carefully what to include in the book because more material is available than is possible to include.
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
I never tire of reading Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. Although the rhythms and rhymes are not always perfect (or maybe it’s my reading that isn’t perfect), the story is cute and the illustrations offer a beautiful travelogue of Paris. Colored pages are interspersed with charcoal drawings. This might be an example of the publisher saving money in production. Madeline is the heroine who is a bit more daring than her schoolmates, the one who is braver, and the one who is adventurous; she pushes the envelope.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Ezra Jack Keats is a man who has never lost the little boy inside himself. The Snowy Day shows the delight a little boy gets from the simple joys of playing in the snow. The mixed media of paper-cut collage and water color are child-like in their imperfection but expressive in conveying emotions. Besides the pleasure of playing in snow, the boy, Peter, is sad when the snowball he brings home melts. But, undaunted, the following day, he invites a friend to go out and enjoy another snowy day.
Spot Goes to the Circus by Eric Hill
Eric Hill’s Spot books are so much fun, I can’t imagine a child who wouldn’t be charmed by them. Spot Goes to the Circus is bright in primary colors and simple line drawings. There’s extra fun in the “open the flap” feature. The book even has a plot: Spot loses his ball while at the Circus with his dad and makes friends with some of the resident animals by the time he finds the ball.
Mirka Breen
The Carrot Seed by Krauss and Johnson
The purity and simplicity of the telling. This is an exemplary distillation.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This book is the reason I write for children. I was moved by it to question conventional perceptions.
Shhhh by Kevin Henkes
Nice interactive book. My kids were so taken with it, and I continue to be riveted by the page-turns.
Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
This book is the perfect marriage of art and words. That it’s an old Jewish folk tale adds charm for me.
Tim and the Blanket Thief by John Prater
A perfect psychological tale about overcoming fears. I still read it when I need it.
Mark Ceilley
Flip, Flap, Fly! By Phyllis Root
This is another fun and delightful story for children ages 2-4. It has wonderful rhyme, meter and alliteration. This is an excellent example of how page turns can be used in picture books. I never tire of rereading this book!
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
I love the warm relationship between Koala Lou and her mother. I also like the repeating line: “Koala Lou, I do love you!” After taking a vacation to Australia and holding a koala, this book has a very special place in my heart.
Olivia by Ian Falconer
This is a fun “character” book. It’s a joy to follow along as Olivia enjoys outrageous adventures.
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
(a Caldecott medal winner)
A delightful story about friendship with some safety tips for kids. It’s funny, clever and tightly written. Every word is carefully chosen.
One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root
The rhyme, repetition, alliteration and use of language is cleverly written in this counting book. This book inspired me to write my Gerry Giraffe story!
Tina Cho
Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
This is a very bouncy, fun book that our family enjoyed since we had a pet hamster.
Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
My kids & I love this book because they, too, have a special blankie or stuffed animal. We can relate!
Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bates
This was one of my childhood favorites because Little Bunny had so many choices of what to do with her teeth. I still have my 1970′s copy with my name written from when I was little!
The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio
This was my favorite picture book of summer 2010. I thought it was a perfect example of picture book structure, and I loved the storyline about two girls tasting a lunch from another culture.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
I love to teach this book to children and do all kinds of activities. Eric Carle is one of my favorite authors/illustrators.
Evelyn Christensen
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
If you’ve ever had a really rotten day, you don’t need for me to explain why this is one of my favorites.
Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy
Mahy is an expert when it comes to writing in rhyme! I was thoroughly charmed by her creative word choices and her fabulous, fun verses.
The Cow in the Silo by Patricia Goodell
As far as I know this is the first picture book I owned. It was given to me when I was three. I still have it today—held together with two pieces of white adhesive tape. All the white spaces in the illustrations are colored purple, because as a child I thought the illustrator had just made a mistake and had forgotten to color them. It’s a delightful story. I used it whenever I taught a farm unit to my K-2nd graders, because it’s such a wonderful exercise in problem solving. I didn’t realize until I was looking it up on the internet today that it was based on a true story of a cow that got stuck in a silo.
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
This book just tickles my funny bone. I love Wood’s expressive illustrations. I think the whole premise of the book is ultra creative, and the fact that I like strawberries doesn’t hurt either.
Noah’s Ark by Peter Spier
This book was given as a birth gift to my firstborn. I have always loved the detailed illustrations and am fascinated by how much story Spier conveys through them—and how much humor.
Diane Kress Hower
Colors of the Day by Ruth Gembicki Bragg
I found this book tucked in a book pile at an antique store. What a treasure. The author artist follows a 24-hour period through the use of color and words. The author illustrator captured childhood imagination through color, viewpoint, and scale that supported her wonderful choice of words and great pacing.
David Gets in Trouble By David Shannon
Bright. Bold. Clear. Emotion driven. The empathy that is brought out through this book is wonderful.
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie By Laura Joffe Numeroff, Illustration by Felicia Bond
This picture book is a sweet, simple classic book that where the rhythm and the words sustain the reader, a favorite of my children during their growing up years.
Old Coyote by Nancy Wood
Illustration by Max Grafe
This is a recent find of mine. The juxtaposition of the soft incredible watercolor and the story of an aged coyote who knows he is going to die is perfect. The telling of death without fear through a wild animal’s viewpoint is well done.
Old Turtle By Douglas Wood,
Illustration by Cheng-Khee Chee
This classic speaks to my heart through the images and words. The scale of the illustrations and placement of the type capture emotion and create a rhythm that makes this picture book a page turner. The words and the art are incredible.
Nancy I. Sanders
Strong characters, strong voice, strong universal themes with kid appeal, and strong story arcs from beginning to end classify these 5 favorite books from my bookshelves I’m currently studying to help improve my skills as a children’s picture book writer.
Knufflebunny by Mo Willems
Knufflebunny Too by Mo Willems
The artwork in these books is very fresh and original with the concept of illustrations against the background of photographs. Both of these books have a universal theme that appeals to young readers with a very strong story arc from beginning to end.
Splat the Cat by Rob Scott
The artwork is adorable plus! Every child will immediately identify with Splat on the first page when his tail is wiggling wildly with worry because it’s his first day of school (strong universal theme). And the humor that comes through on nearly every page just fills readers with chuckles of delight. From giddy anticipation when Splat decides to take his friend, Seymour, (a mouse) to school and keep him company…and drops him in his lunchbox, to when he opens his lunch and all the cats at school shout, “Mouse!” the story is read with intense delight.
Max Cleans Up by Rosemary Wells
This book is simply delightful. The word choice and use of language is a strong characteristic of this book. Instead of just saying that “Max put his popsicle in his shoe,” which is showed in the illustration on the first page, the explanation is given in a very insightful view inside a little one’s imagination: “Max parked his Popsicle where no one would find it.” The reader immediately knows on the first page right away that there is going to be a big mess, especially since the title of the book is “Max Cleans Up.” Right away there is anticipation and eagerness to see what happens. Plus, as always, both Max and his older sister Ruby each have a very distinct voice and unique personality…good ingredients for us to study as children’s writers. And the ending is just so wonderful!
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
This is a great picture book to study if you are a children’s writer. Each of the 3 main characters has their own voice–an amazing feat in a book this simple. Also, the story arc is very strong and well developed with a clear beginning stating the problem, a strong and developed middle where the babies try to solve their problem themselves, and a very satisfying end. The universal theme of how children are afraid of abandonment makes it touch a deep chord in young readers, something we as writers need to do with our fiction stories, too. Plus, the cute and adorable factor is over the top.
