favorite children's books
For as long as I can remember I have loved picture books. As a child I would study the illustrations of my favorites – Blueberries for Sal, The Bremen-town Musicians, Caps for Sale, Go, Dog. Go! – I can still remember pictures and hear my mom’s voice saying, “kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!” and “Caps for Sale! Caps! Fifty cents a cap!“.
Picture books are pure magic.
My sophomore year of college my best friend and I shared an apartment. She brought a couch, coffee table, tv; I brought a small stack of favorite picture books. Now looking back, this seems like a strange thing for a 19 year old to travel with from Washington to Southern California, but I guess I felt they were important at the time. I don’t know if I ever opened the books that year, but they sat next to the couch and I saw them everyday. Fun fact: those same books from way back then are up on Audrey’s shelves today.
We have so many favorite books. I thought it might be fun and helpful to have a big list of favorites, all of which are included in our little library.
So, in no particular order, here are 48 must-haves for your picture book collection:
The Jolly Postman
You’re All My Favorites
Guess How Much I Love You
King Hugo’s Huge Ego (get this one!)
Toot + Puddle
Elephant and Piggie
Peek-A-Boo!
Sam and Dave Dig A Hole (get this one, too!)
Kiki + Coco In Paris (so adorable)
Lulu + Pip
Learning To Ski With Mr. Magee
Telephone
Baby Wren and The Great Gift
Triangle (we love everything by this author/illustrator combo)
Extra Yarn
I Want My Hat Back
We Found A Hat
The Day The Crayons Quit (clever, clever, clever)
The Day The Crayons Came Home
Paul Meets Bernadette
Angelina Ballerina
Penguin Problems
Gaston
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, And The Big, Hungry Bear
I Had A Favorite Dress (best illustrations)
Birdie’s Big Girl Shoes
Birdie’s Big Girl Dress
Just Being Audrey
Alphabeasties
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
The Book With No Pictures
The Circus Ship (love this one)
Bear Snores On
Llama Llama Red Pajama
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Sleepy Bears
Bats At The Ballgame
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
Today I feel Silly
Blueberries For Sal
Imogene’s Antlers
Where The Wild Things Are
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
The Napping House
Julius, The Baby Of The World
The Princess And The Pig
Henry’s Bright Idea
Press Here
Well, that was fun! I hope this list is a helpful resource for adding books to your collection!