Listmania!
Picture Books that both my children and I love
By an Amazon.com customer
The MAGGIE B (Aladdin Picture Books)The MAGGIE B (Aladdin Picture Books) by Irene Haas
Buy used from: $14.54
An adventurous little girl takes her baby brother on a magic voyage. Great relationship between siblings, and lovely watercolor illustrations.
Camille and the SunflowersCamille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $3.17
A story about Vincent Van Gogh - and appreciating a person who is different. Includes some nice samples of Van Gogh's work. After reading this book, my 6-year-old says Van Gogh is her favorite artist.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Reading Rainbow Book)Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Reading Rainbow Book) by John Steptoe
Buy new: $12.95 / Used from: $1.99
An African Cinderella story about the importance of kindness - gorgeous illustrations
Rapunzel (Caldecott Medal Book)Rapunzel (Caldecott Medal Book) by Brothers Grimm
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $0.58
A moving retelling of the classic fairy tale, with illustrations that look like Renaissance paintings
TWELVE DANCING PRINCessesTWELVE DANCING PRINCesses by Jane Ray
Buy used from: $0.76
Clever, spunky girls - all beautiful in different ways
Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of 'Little Black Sambo' (Picture Puffins)Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of 'Little Black Sambo' (Picture Puffins) by Julius Lester
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.67
The story of Little Black Sambo told in a way that eliminates the old racism - both funny and sweet
The Talking EggsThe Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci
Buy new: $11.55 / Used from: $0.22
Another Cinderella story - this one from the American South -- but here the girl's virtue not her beauty wins the prize
Miss RumphiusMiss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
An inspiring book about an old woman who teaches a young girl about her obligation to make the world a better place. Every child should know this book.
The Clown of GodThe Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
Buy new: $7.00 / Used from: $1.50
A juggler learns that being rich and famous are not the most important things. A profoundly religious book, but not the least bit preachy.
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books)Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books) by Mem Fox
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.43
A little boy helps an old woman with Alzheimer's find her memory - in a very special and childlike way. Simple, touching, priceless.
Not So Fast, SongololoNot So Fast, Songololo by Niki Daly
Buy used from: $0.32
A very simple story - a little boy goes shopping in the city with his grandmother and comes home with new sneakers. But a wonderful portrait of the closeness between the old and the young.
Flossie and the FoxFlossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack
Buy new: $11.55 / Used from: $0.85
Imagine a smart Little Red Riding Hood who wasn't one bit scared of the wolf. Flossie's just about the bravest, smartest little girl I've ever seen in a children's book. Terrific character.
Cloudy With a Chance of MeatballsCloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $2.53
There's usually a huge gap between what children and adults think is funny. But this one is funny no matter how many times you read it.
The Island of the Skog (Picture Puffin)The Island of the Skog (Picture Puffin) by Steven Kellogg
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $0.56
A story about listening to other people and getting along, and not fearing differences. Detailed, interesting illustrations.
Lilly's Purple Plastic PurseLilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Buy new: $12.95 / Used from: $0.22
Kevin Henkes really understands young children's thoughts and feelings. All his books are great, but this is my 6-year-old daughter's favorite.
NativityNativity by Julie Vivas
Buy used from: $15.04
The story of the birth of Jesus. The words come straight from the King James version of the Bible. But Julie Vivas' are magic. Don't miss the angel with torn wings wearing sneakers.
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from ChinaYeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $1.99
One more Cinderella story - this one from China. Here, it's the illustrations that are special. Wispy and ethereal - different from anything you've ever seen.
Knots on a Counting Rope (Reading Rainbow Book)Knots on a Counting Rope (Reading Rainbow Book) by John Archambault
Buy new: $7.95 / Used from: $0.16
I've never made it through this book without crying. With the support of his grandfather, a blind Navaho boy achieves an amazing goal. Touching and inspiring.
Amos & BorisAmos & Boris by William Steig
Buy used from: $0.01
William Steig has written so many great children's books. Strong human values, rich language and charming illustrations. This one - about a friendship between a whale and a mouse - is my favorite.
Papa, Please Get the Moon for MePapa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
Buy new: $14.36 / Used from: $0.01
Everybody knows Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." This one's even better. A magic story about a little girl whose father performs miracles to help her get her dream.
FrederickFrederick by Leo Lionni
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $0.01
The opposite of the old story of the ant and the grasshopper. Frederick is a dreamer - and it turns out that art and dreams are just as important as practical matter. An essential book.
Song and Dance Man (Dragonfly Books)Song and Dance Man (Dragonfly Books) by Karen Ackerman
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $0.01
A grandfather tells his childen about his days in vaudville. Great relationship between grandfather and children. Wonderful illustrations.
Mirette on the High WireMirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
A brave little girl helps her friend, a highwire walker, regain his courage. One of the most moving books I've ever read and one my daughter asks for again and again.
The True Story of the Three Little PigsThe True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.99
One of the funniest children's books ever. And a good lesson about seeing things from other people's (or wolves') point of view.
Horton Hatches the EggHorton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $0.01
I can get a little tired of Dr. Seuss - but not of this book. The rhymes are wonderful, Horton is Dr. Seuss's most appealing character, and the message - keep your word - is essential.