Recommended Reading

Where Have All The Good Picture Books Gone?
Deciding Who Decides What to Read to Our Children

Ever since I embarked on my new careers as publisher and author, family members and friends
have been asking me to jot down lists of quality picture books I would recommend for their
children to read or hear. I have repeatedly found myself in an awkward position because I feel I
have an obligation to list all the Caldecott winners (the award given each year by the American
Library Association for the best picture book). And most (if not all) of these books are deserving
of the children in my life. However, in my own private experience as a parent of three young
children, I have often forced my children to listen, more than once, to some of the Caldecott
winners when they really would rather be listening to their favorite books. Often it becomes a
compromise–one Caldecott winner and then one book of “lesser quality” that is shopworn from
being read 47 times. I point out the beauty of the book that is best according to the adults, and
my children are not convinced. They show me why an unknown, unawarded book, such as The
Feet in the Gym, is really where it’s at, and I am drawn in by their enthusiasm.So, is a good
picture book in the life of a child the same as good food or good behavior or good sleep habits?
Do the adults know better than the children what is good for their brains? Must we expose them
to classic picture books that have withstood the test of time because adults continue to buy
them for children based on other adults’ recommendations? Or should we let the children pick
what they like simply because they like it? I propose the latter. There is absolutely nothing
wrong with knowing who those Caldecott winners are, reading those books to our kids, and then
letting the kids decide whether they ever want us to read them again. Sure we can keep those
books on our children’s shelves, but I think our children should pick their own books for story
time. Furthermore, we should want them to be excited about their choices. They shouldn’t have
to tolerate ours. There will be a time when they will have to choose from lists compiled
exclusively by adults. Now is not that time. Period.So, here is the short list of books my children
love–books we have read together at least ten times. Some of the books are award winners.
Many are not. But my children and I recommend them all anyway.

Where have all the good picture books gone? 25 great books to read to your kids!

1. Little Billy and Baseball Bob
2. Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing
3. The Feet in the Gym
4. G-Rex
5. Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
6. Olivia
7. Natasha and the Bear - English Adaptation by
8. Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted To Dance
9. Perfect the Pig
10. The Mysterious Tadpole
11. The Story of Ferdinand
12. The Three Javelinas
13. Who’s Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper?
14. Alligator Baby
15. Buford the Little Bighorn
16. The Caboose Who Got Loose
17. Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis
18. Detective Mole and the Halloween Mystery
19. Officer Buckle and Gloria
20. Alvah and Arvilla
21. Six by Seuss (includes six of his best, less popular stories)
22. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
23. The Boy Who Stuck Out His Tongue: A Yiddish Folk Tale
24. How Do Dinosaurs say Goodnight?
25. How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?