Some of My Favorite Picture Books

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss

Is there anything more fun to read aloud than Dr. Seuss? Horton is just one example of his genius, which was all the more remarkable for being accompanied by kindness and humor. In this book we learn that "after all, a person is a person, no matter how small" (which is a moral a little kid can really get behind).





The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto

On a farm filled with special cows, Marjorie feels so blah until a Charlotte's Web-esque turn of events brings her fame (and scrutiny). This is a funny and colorful book that I love to use at story times. There are no biology lessons in here, just an underdog (undercow?) with a big heart.





Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

Many great picture books, like great songs, have refrains that get pleasantly stuck in your head. In this book it's: "Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats!" Millions of Cats brings you a sweet story with a catchy hook, and Wanda Gag's unique style.



Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak

To be fair, my love for these books comes from the television special Really Rosie. I used to check it out from the Burien Public Library all the time when I was a kid. It features Carole King as Rosie singing all of the great little stories in this collection: "Alligators All Around," "Pierre," "One was Johnny," and, of course, the beloved "Chicken Soup with Rice."








George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshall

These stories are all very short, sort of like little absurd poems that illustrate the true nature of what it means to have a best bud. The hilarity, profundity, and absurdity are captured perfectly in James Marshall's illustrations. G&M will live in my heart forever.




Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie

The exquisitely illustrated Toot and Puddle are two very different little pigs. One goes off to see the world, while the other stays home, but their friendship endures through love and postcards. Totally adorable. Many sequels.





Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Vorst and Ray Cruz

This is the like the picture book version of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts." When you're having a hard day, you connect to it and you just feel better.




The Monster at the End of This Book

I have such clear memories of reading this book when I was a little kid. It always made me giggle. Grover begs the reader not to turn the pages because he's scared of the monster at the end of the book. (Even when I was a child I appreciated meta-fiction. Break down that fourth wall, Grover!)