The Best Picture Books

One of my favorite writers about children's literature, the hilarious and high-energy Esme Codell, just posted her list, "10 Picture Books I Wouldn't Teach Without." I love her selections. The indefatigable Betsy Bird at Fuse #8 polled children's librarians for the top 100 picture books. And now I submit the picture books that I use all the time, the ones I teach with, the ones that my classes have adored. (Although there are hundreds more I cherish, these are especially great for teaching.)

Corduroy by Don Freeman. The dear and imperfect stuffed bear and the girl Lisa take decisive action to achieve their dreams. I still get choked up when Lisa sews a button on Corduroy's overalls in an act of unconditional love, saying -- “I like you the way you are, but you’ll be more comfortable with your shoulder strap fastened.”



Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. The paranoid little squirrel, who won't alter his rigid routine because he is paralyzed by fear, is beloved by young children who laugh in recognition but enjoy their own superiority.






And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Often tops the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books. The true story of a pair of male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who incubate, hatch and teach a baby chick allows me to talk with all ages about all kinds of families.


The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater. Mr. Plumbeam defies neighborhood conventions (and perhaps covenants) after a seagall drops a can of orange paint on his house. If we raise a generation of utterly conventional children, we have failed.




Amos and Boris by William Steig. The little mouse and the big whale. Not only does one good turn deserve another, but unlikely friendships and gestures of kindness can surprise and delight us -- as can the exquisite and sophisticated language of this classic. I also love using Sylvester and the Magic Pebble; children are troubled and astonished by Sylvester's bizarre wish and ache with sympathy for his devoted parents.

The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. The single most subversive picture book I own, it breaks all the rules in a parody worthy of Monty Python. (Click here for a video interview with Smith and the book's designer, Smith's wife Molly Leach.)



Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Uncensored mental experimentation, replete with verbal and visual puns, this story lets me talk about inventiveness, perspective, and the comforting re-appearance of the moon -- we all wish we had a purple crayon.


Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tomie de Paola. A tale of profound empathy in which old women are not derogatory stereotypes but kind and beautiful. Honest grieving is accompanied by a sense of mastery rather than helplessness. We must talk with children about death, and facilitate mental rehearsal, before they experience a big loss.

Tuesday by Chris Van Allsburg. The lush illustrations in this very funny, nearly-wordless picture book captivate children. I use it to teach inference and comprehension, how to generate their own language to tell a story.



Yoko by Rosemary Wells. The little girl-kitten is hurt when her classmates mock her lunch of sushi until the teacher arranges a banquet of foods from many lands. Or, as one child said to me, "It's like, 'Don't yuck my yum.'"



Jamaica's Blue Marker by Juanita Havill. A story about judgment and empathy as Jamaica gradually realizes that obnoxious Russell, who scribbles on her picture, is facing his own troubles.



Pup in School by former Paideia teacher Elaine Clayton. Pup learns to deal with an aggressive and bossy Rodney Dog. Of all the books about "bullying," I love this one the most: nobody is labeled a bully, Pup stands up for himself and redemption remains possible for anyone. Our kids adore it.


Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. As the two unseen characters argue about whether the line drawing is a duck or a rabbit, young children will join in the argument, until gradually one or two students will exclaim, "It all depends on what you are thinking when you look at it!" A magnificent metaphor for multiple perspectives in a charmingly funny format.


And hey, picture books aren't always fiction. Here are my essential nonfiction picture books:

Antarctic Antics by Judy Sierra. Penguin poems: if you read the ones about baby penguins in a high, squeaky, vulnerable voice, the children 'melt.'






Toads and Diamonds, retold by Charlotte Huck. Two step-sisters receive appropriate gifts for their actions: the kind girl has flowers and gems fall from her mouth as she speaks, and the hateful one has snakes and toads leap from her mouth. I often wrap up discussion by saying that I hear both toads and diamonds emerging from children's mouths when I'm on the playground. Kids are shocked!

Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull. The story of Wilma Rudolph, polio survivor and 3 time Olympic gold medalist. I get teary and the kids have to reassure me.



Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue. Based on the true story of astronaut Ronald McNair, who at age 9 stood up on the desk of the segregated Lake City Public Library in South Carolina and demanded a library card. We can talk about libraries, freedom of information, having a passion for a subject, segregation, and NASA.



The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. Six year old Ruby intrepidly marches into first grade following court-ordered desegregation. She prays for the people who stand outside the school, screaming obscenities and threatening her life. Ruby visited Paideia in 2001 (click here and scroll down my author visit page).


Please share your favorites (comment button below)!