Books, not only good for reading. Copyright Y. Mes
I was talking to two of my friends during our recent playgroup about our children’s favorite picture books and how it can be difficult to decide which ones to get.
I have read around 650 picture books since the start of the year (yep, 650, you can check my Goodreads profile here) and have been obsessed with reading and writing picture books for a while, so, they felt that maybe I could come up with some suggestions.
Instead of sending them an email I decided to turn it into a blog post for the greater good of humankind (aren’t I grand). And now they will have to read my blog, maybe even leave a comment. Thanks, Jo and Chantelle.
They were even coerced into an awful, I mean, awesome photo during our last playgroup session.
So here is my:
Yes, that’s us. Copyright Yvonne Mes
Totally Subjective Best Picture Book Buying Guide Before Christmas
We also talked about which picture books we find appealing as opposed to our kids.
It is interesting, no matter how much I try to push some of my favourite stories my children’s way, it just doesn’t work.
Me: “Let’s read ‘Where the Wild Things Are”
Them: “Nope! Not that one!”
Not interested, ouch! It almost feels like a personal rebuke.
There are many reasons they do no like a particular book (yet) they may not be cognitively ready for a story like that, or it doesn’t involve their favourite TV characters OR animal OR colour OR vehicle, and it may not appeal to their personality. Children can get really enamored by the same story for months, long after parents have tired of reading it.
So, my bedtime rule is, they can pick one or two stories each and so can I. That way they have discovered stories they wouldn’t have picked out themselves but ended up really liking (or NOT), and they have satisfied their need for repetition and getting to know a favourite story intimately while discovering new things on subsequent readings.
A few notes to go with the list:
We also talked about which picture books we find appealing as opposed to our kids.
It is interesting, no matter how much I try to push some of my favourite stories my children’s way, it just doesn’t work.
Me: “Let’s read ‘Where the Wild Things Are”
Them: “Nope! Not that one!”
Not interested, ouch! It almost feels like a personal rebuke.
There are many reasons they do no like a particular book (yet) they may not be cognitively ready for a story like that, or it doesn’t involve their favourite TV characters OR animal OR colour OR vehicle, and it may not appeal to their personality. Children can get really enamored by the same story for months, long after parents have tired of reading it.
So, my bedtime rule is, they can pick one or two stories each and so can I. That way they have discovered stories they wouldn’t have picked out themselves but ended up really liking (or NOT), and they have satisfied their need for repetition and getting to know a favourite story intimately while discovering new things on subsequent readings.
A few notes to go with the list:
- As these are the picture books my 3 year old and I have loved through the year they are totally subjective AND,
- Totally random, depending on what we have read in 2013 (they weren’t necessarily published in 2013), this includes some old favourites.
- There are even a few shared favourites, bulls-eye!
- I actually like most of the books in the kid’s column as well.
- I am heavily influenced by illustrations as well as text, and only the books I felt worked well on both accounts have been included.
- Click on the images for a link to Amazon where you get to look ‘inside’ for most books, which is a great feature. Don’t forget your local independent bookshops (I have listed some Brisbane stores at the end of the post). And if you want to try before you buy there is always the library.
- Some of the books on my list are not suitable for young children. I will indicate this.
- Picking these books really wasn’t easy, I left many fine beautifully told and illustrated books out, but decided to stick with 20 each.
- There are many book I wish I had read but didn’t get to this year, so if your child’s or your favourite picture book is not on the list, please leave a comment.
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Best Picture Books Selected by my Three Year Old:
The Runaway Hug
Nick Bland Freya Blackwood Endless hugs back and forth after this book. 
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
Sherri Duskey Rinker Tom Lichtenheld You get to say goodnight to all their favourite machines. Great for bedtime. 
Stuck
Oliver Jeffers It is funny! 
Listen to My Trumpet
Mo Willems Check out more of Mo Willems’ books, they are fun and short. 
The Rain Train
Ella De Roo Brian Lovelock Our favourite!! Have read it for a year, almost every night to both boys. 
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen Funny, short, with a visual twist. 
Green Eggs and Ham
Dr. Seuss Gosh, it does get tedious after a few readings, but they can’t get enough! 
The Wheels on the Bus
(any variation, and there are many!) Jeanne Willis Adam Stower 
Stomp!
Jeanne Willis Paul Howard Probably his second favourite. He can recite it. 
Rattletrap Car
Phyllis Root Jill Barton Lovely rhyme, a whole lot of rattletrap fun. 
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
Bob Shea Roar! 
I’m Really Ever So Not Well
Lauren Child But really you could read him any Charlie and Lola book and he would be happy. And he doesn’t even watch the series. 
Harvey, the Boy who Couldn’t Fart
Matthew Johnstone Let’s face it, which child doesn’t enjoy a good fart story. 
The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business
Werner Holzwarth Wolf Erlbruch That is not a hat, that is poo. Kids love poo. 
Steam Train, Dream Train
Sherri Duskey Rinker Tom Lichtenheld Yes, another train story. Beautifully illustrated! 
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
Ian Whybrow Adrian Reynolds This is a series, and any of these books are fine by my son. 
Wolf Won’t Bite!
Emily Gravett Yes, it will! 
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet
Theo. LeSieg B Tobey An oldie, also great as a reader when they are a little older. 
Read to Tiger
S. J. Fore R. W. Alley Ahhhh. 
Children Make Terrible Pets
Peter Brown Children may make terrible pets, but it makes for a good story. |
Best Picture Books Selected By Me:
The Runaway Hug
Nick Bland 
No Room for a Mouse
Kyle Mewburn Freya Blackwood Lovely story. And there is that illustrator again! 
Stuck
Oliver Jeffers 
The Arrival
Shaun Tan A wordless picture book. This would be a challenge for young children, but is a wonderful story and sparks discussion about immigration. 
The Rain Train
Ella De Roo This is what is know as a ‘quiet’ book. It is a soothing poem, great to wind down before bed time. 
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen Funny, short, with a visual twist. 
Flotsam
David Wiesner Wordless. Lovely story. A plot challenge for young ones, though they will love the illustrations. 
Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear
Tomi Ungerer 
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Mem Fox Julie Vivas This book made me cry, in a good way. 
Herman and Rosie
Gus Gordon My favourite picture book ‘du jour’. I met the author/ illustrator, check out my previous post. 
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
Bob Shea 
I’m Really Ever So Not Well
Lauren Child Though it may get a bit tedious reading night after night. I quite enjoyed reading several stories starring these great sibling characters. 
Tanglewood
Margaret Wild Vivienne Goodman A beautiful poignant feel-good story. 
The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business
Werner Holzwarth 
Dillweed’s Revenge: A Deadly Dose of Magic
Florence Parry Heide Carson Ellis A dark picture book. Not for the little ones, there is some deadly revenge in this story. I love the illustrations. 
Home
Narelle Oliver Narelle Oliver lives in Brisbane and this is also where this book is set AND it is a lovely story AND you will learn something. 
The Dreadful Fluff
Aaron Blabey A bit different, but fun. 
The Dark
Lemony Snickett Jon Klassen A concept story, bit abstract for young children. I simply adore Jon Klassen’s artwork. 
One Cool Friend
Toni Buzzeo David Small I love that main character and the little twist at the end. 
If You Want to See a Whale
Julie Fogliano Erin Stead Another ‘quiet’ book. A beautiful poem and delicate whimsical illustrations. |
Independent Book Stores in Brisbane
Black Cat Books – Paddington
Avid Reader – West End
Riverbend Books & Teahouse – Bulimba
Mary Ryan’s – Bulimba, New Farm, Milton, Toowoomba
Black Cat Books – Paddington
Avid Reader – West End
Riverbend Books & Teahouse – Bulimba
Mary Ryan’s – Bulimba, New Farm, Milton, Toowoomba
