The rhapsody of children's books

When I tell people how much I love children's books, I wonder what they really think. (I'm not saying it matters--I'm just wondering...) Children's books. Do I love them because I remember so few from my childhood (and I being the nostalgia master) or because so many of the books are lovely, beautiful, provocative (a wonderful word!), serene, sublime, wondrous, innovative, inventive, creative, imaginative....

Examples:
Hondo and Fabian by Peter McCarty, as well as the sequel: Fabian Escapes and an earlier work, Little Bunny on the Move. All of these have one thing in common--their very soft, nostalgic-like artwork.

Anita Lobel's Nini Here and There, a story of Nini, a cat who lives in the city going with the family on vacation in the country. Another beautiful book of artwork, some pages you might even consider framing (if you can bear to remove a page or perhaps find a used copy that can be taken apart.)

The Horse that takes the milk around is simply a wonderful example of a time long past--when horses were harnessed to carts which were loaded with milk bottles. The Milkman and his horse then "took the milk around." A true classic and collectible item, this book was published in 1946.

Anything by Janell Cannon, but my personal favorites are Stellaluna and Verdi.

Cannon can capture any facial expression of joy and does in both books. Stellaluna is a fruit bat, which the reader comes to adore. Her face, when she finally learns to perch on a branch like sparrows with whom she temporarily lives, celebrates the best joy--that of accomplishing a difficult task! Verdi is a boa constrictor the reader comes to love also! Imagine! Cannon can create adorable characters out of creatures we might find icky in the wild.

Any book by Jan Brett for sheer artistry and multiple storytelling techniques! This artist/author is amazing! My favorite (if I must declare one) is The Umbrella, a simply astonishing trip inside a jungle setting to reveal animals of all sizes and species that jump into an upturned umbrella made of a banana plant.

I also like True Kelley's series of art books and artists. The way she tells the story of famous artists is through a class project presented by an ordinary student who learns so much. One example is Smart about Pablo Picasso: Breaking all the Rules. In fact, check out all the Smart about books, even though not all are by True Kelley.

All the Olivia books by Ian Falconer are simply full of joy and mischief. Olivia is the classic case of a gifted child.








Another artist--the master of imagination and invention--is David Wiesner. His three Caldecott books will simply amaze you: The Three Pigs, Tuesday, and Flotsam.

Last for today is a series of two books about Zoe Sophia, a schoolgirl noted for her brains but not her looks. An author and an illustrator paired to create these two books, Claudia Maunier and Elisa Smalley. I wish they had created more. One takes place in Venice, the other in New York. Both provide details about Zoe Sophia's deep attachment to her interesting great-aunt, travel, and mystery. All in each book!

That's my list of wonderful children's books for now. Enjoy!