I’d be willing to bet that many of you have fond memories of picture books you either read to your youngster, or books being read to you in your younger days. Here are some wonderful picture books that will be taken off your bookshelf more times than you can count. Picture books can be enjoyed by all ages.
This is Not My Hat, also by Jon Klassen, is a follow-up on his successful book just mentioned. But the only part of the story that connects to Klassen’s previous best-seller is a hat. However, the layout of the pictures and the simple direct dialogue is similar. A tiny fish swims into view and the complete story is told through his eyes. And he’s wearing a hat. The story progresses with why he has a hat and you’ll soon find out what happens to this hat.
The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse: An Aesop Fable retold and illustrated by Helen Ward, is richly told with vivid pictures that entangle all the seasons as the mice emerge in unfamiliar and exciting territory only to find their own home much missed.
Oh No, Little Dragon!, by Jim Averbeck, shows what Little Dragon does when he puts his fire out while taking a bath. All his attempts leave him dry, until mom warms his heart with her full acceptance. The digitally enhanced oil pastels embellish the story and bring Little Dragon to life.
Next Stop – Zanzibar Road!, by Niki Daly, continues this delightful story about African life from Daly’s first book: “Welcome to Zanzibar Road”. Enjoy five easy-to-read stories that include Mama Jumbo’s adopted child: Little Chico the chicken and Mama Jumbo heading to market. The watercolors seem to lift off the page of lively fun on every single page. This book is great fun and is an experience into another continent.
The Three Ninja Pigs, by Corey Rosen Schwartz, and illustrated with hues of yellows, browns and greens by Dan Santat, is quite a different take on the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs. These pigs have had enough of that big bad wolf so they take martial arts training. Of course, pig #1 and #2 don’t stick with the lessons and aren’t prepared for the wolf. But the wolf better watch out for pig #3! This book is great fun to read out loud.
Black Dog, by Levi Pinfold, is a beautifully painted book that teaches one how to face our fears. A huge black dog suddenly appears beyond the home of the Hope family. Everyone is afraid to go outside. Only the youngest and smallest girls make the decision to go out and face it. What she discovers about the dog teaches the rest of the family about making rash decisions as well as being strong in the face of possible danger.