Wonder-full Children's Books (Part 1)
An incomplete list of some of my favorite children's books
With summer break in full swing, I thought I’d share some of my favorite books for children in two parts, beginning with picture books. I focused on books that evoked in me, and my children, a sense of wonder and delight.
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies (Barker): This was one of those birthday gifts for my children that was really a gift to myself. Barker’s delightful little poems are combined with stunning (and accurate) illustrations of various fairies based on various English plants. It’s a fantastic way to increase you and your children’s plant lore, and to help all and sundry appreciate the mystery and magic of the natural world.
Children of the Forest (Beskow): This has become my go-to book for baby showers and birthday parties for a while now. It is the first Elsa Beskow book our family discovered, and so holds a special place in my heart. Beskow’s depiction of the sprite-like forest children playing their way through the various seasons is gentle, magical, and a feast for both eyes and ears. We’ve been assiduously collecting Beskow books ever since we first read Children of the Forest, and I hope more people will discover a woman known as the “Swedish Beatrix Potter.”
The Story of the Root Children (Von Olfers): We discovered Sibylle von Olfers through the publishers from whom we purchased many of our Elsa Beskow books. The Story of the Root Children is another nature-themed/seasonal book where the forces of nature are embodied by children. The writing is a bit simpler and less dense than Barker or Beskow’s books, so it’s a good one to try out with the very littlest of littles. And a delightful biographical note about von Olfers-she became a nun!
Margaret’s Unicorn (Smith): Both this book and The Mermaid Moon are based on Cornish folklore, imagining a world where the modern and the mythic peacefully coexist. Margaret’s stone cottage on the coast, and her cozy jumpers, are to die for, and the beautiful depiction of intergenerational relationships would make this an excellent book for grandparents and grandchildren to read together.
The Complete Brambly Hedge (Barklem): I am angry I missed out on these stories as a child, but very grateful I have discovered them as an adult. The intricacy of Barklem’s illustrations means that there is always something new to discover with each viewing, and her high-level vocabulary is in the tradition of classic children’s books that didn’t feel the need to talk down to children. The Brambly Hedge books also offer a delightful vision of community life; Poppy’s Babies in particular might make my fellow (exhausted) moms tear up.
Roxaboxen (McLerran and Cooney): A beautiful ode to the power of children’s imagination that narrates the tale of ‘Roxaboxen,’ a town created and populated by an ingenious group of friends. It always brings back joyful memories of my own pretend play; building fairy houses, making ink out of weeping cherries, or creating a mud pie factory with some neighbors. I especially loved that the story ends with a look at the children, as adults, remembering and passing on the story of the world they created to the next generation. The illustrator also happens to be the creator of the equally beautiful Miss Rumphius.
Rapunzel (Zelinsky): Children need fairy tales, and Paul Zelinksy’s retelling of Rapunzel is a feast for the eyes as much as the story is a delight to the heart. Zelinsky draws his inspiration from Italian Renaissance artwork, and each picture is worth lingering over.
Time of Wonder (McCloskey): Everything McCloskey writes is amazing, but I particularly love Time of Wonder. The book is a celebration of the beauty to be found in the ordinary and everyday moments of life, and of the wonder of the natural world. The writing is part prose, part poetry, and fits with the dreamlike style of the illustrations. And for lovers of Sal and her family, is is clear that (though no names are named) they are the protagonists of this story.
D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths: This book is a foundational text for me. It was one of my earliest introductions to the ‘Western Cannon,’ and is part of what set me on the trajectory to study and love the ‘Great Books.’ It is a fantastic way to introduce your children to Greek Mythology, drawing together the vast body of Greek Myth together in a coherent and well-organized whole. The illustrations are glorious, and there are stories to suit every child’s taste.
Ernst (Kleven): This was one of those providential finds that fuels my addiction to scouring used book sales. Ernst, a lovely anthropomorphic blue crocodile, prepares to celebrate his birthday with the why questions we parents know all too well, and dreaming up a magical world of “what ifs.” The illustrations are colorful and intricate, the art style unlike any other book I have encountered. Ernst reminds me that the questions that can, so often, feel annoying or overwhelming matter deeply to my little ones, and how important it is to cultivate both their willingness to ask questions, and their ability to see the wonder waiting for them in every day life.
Moon Mouse (Holl): Another book sale find. It narrates the tale of a young field mouse who sets off to find the moon, and learn whether it really is made of cheese. The intricate pencil illustrations, and sparing use of color, are visually arresting, the prose lovely, and the mother/son relationship delightful.
The White Cat and the Monk (Bogart and Smith): This book is a beautiful retelling of a 9th century poem written by an Irish monk about his cat. The monk compares Pangur Ban’s pursuit of mice to his own pursuit of knowledge. I love how the book has multiple pages of illustration without text, inviting readers into the great silence of monastic life. And the homages to the beauty of illuminated manuscripts are a wonderful way to introduce children to such an incredible art form.
American Tall Tales (Osbourne): My son loves this book and the fascinating tales that fill it up. I love folklore and fairy tales, and I think all children should be introduced to the ‘myth’ unique to their culture/heritage as much as possible. And while they may not be my beloved Greek myths or Arthurian legends, there is something downright charming and more than a little hilarious about these American tales. The woodcut style illustrations are a unique treat as well. Furthermore, it’s nice to read out loud something of Mary Pope Osbourne’s that doesn’t make me want to scream.1
The Frog Princess (Lewis and Spirin): I fondly remember reading this gorgeous retelling of a Russian myth as a child. I loved the glitter and gold of the intricate illustrations, as well as the introduction to a mythic world different in character and mood from the ones I encountered the most in literature. If you are a lover of Russian literature and want to start piquing your children’s interest in Russian literary culture, this is a great place to start. Furthermore, the Moscow educated Spirin has illustrated and/or written other Russian fairy tales.
Pegasus (Mayer and Craft): A retelling of the Bellerophon/Pegasus myth that gives it a happier ending than it has in actuality. I don’t mind the change, however, given the magical illustrations and lyrical prose of this gorgeous book. For children who love animals, the friendship between Pegasus and Bellerophon will be compelling. Just expect to field some requests for pet horses when you’re done.
Grandfather Twilight (Berger): One of the things I love most about this short little book is how sparing it is in prose. Teaching children to look at art in silence, to make up their own stories for what they see, is needed in today’s noisy world more than ever. Narrating the journey of “Grandfather Twilight” to usher in the evening and assist in moonrise, this is a perfect book to calm busy minds at the end of a long day, whether yours or your child’s.
Over in the Meadow (Langstaff and Rojankovsky): An illustrated version of what is a sweet little song. Children will get practice counting in the prettiest and most poetic number book I have ever encountered. The colorful and detailed drawings will make you want to jump into the titular meadow.
Dream Wolf (Goble): One of several books by Goble that recount various myths of different tribes/groups of Indigenous peoples. The illustrations are unlike anything else I’ve encountered in children’s literature, and beautifully render the Indigenous culture and environment. The sense of the ‘numinous’ in the natural world is strong in these mythical retellings, and I love how they preserve something of the quality of oral tradition.
Mama, Do You Love Me? (Joosse): While Joosse’s book might not offer the most accurate depiction of Alaskan indigenous culture, it is still a gorgeously illustrated tale of the enduring love between mother and child. It is a wonderful book for repairing hurt hearts at the end of a tough day. As a crafting mom, I love the illustrations of the mother working on her crafts. Furthermore, this is another book that shows a symbiotic relationship between the natural and human worlds.
Owl Moon (Yolen and Schoenherr): Father/daughter relationships don’t always get due attention in literature, so this book is a welcome edition to any parental book shelf. The night-time quest of a father and daughter to find an owl in the snowy winter landscape is a beautiful depiction of how important getting that special one-on-one time is for kids. I also love how simple the quest is; the father/daughter want to discover and appreciate the natural beauty of the world around them; they do not need to control, capture, or manipulate it. Rather, they seek to receive it as gift. Most of all, they are there to rejoice in the gift of their relationship, regardless of whether they see any owls. Finally, it is another book that speaks to the value of silence and listening.
Look out for Part 2, which will focus on chapter books, in the near future. If you’ve read any of these books, let me know what you think! And if you have any other “wonder-full” books to recommend, sound off in the comments!
Look, on an objective level, I think the Magic Treehouse Books are fine, and I love anything that will get my kids into Arthurian myth. On a subjective level, way too much familiarity has bred a certain level of contempt for them. I have listened to them so many times I have come up with an unofficial drinking game for them. For example, drink every time Jack complains about something be “scientifically impossible” even though he regularly travels through space and time in a MAGIC TREEHOUSE. Or drink every time Annie refuses to do the tiniest bit of research before hopping out of the treehouse and gets her and her brother into unnecessary trouble.
Lots of familiar titles and authors here - and a few I didn't know about. I really enjoyed reading this and am thinking I might have to make up one of my own. (We'll see...)
One of my favorite picture books is The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola. It's hard not to tear up reading that one. Oh, and Adelita by Tomie de Paola. It's a "Mexican Cinderella" story and I read it with voices, speaking in an exaggerated snooty tone when I read the step-mother and step-sister voices. It's great fun!
I love this kind of list! Thanks for putting it together. We, too, have loved many of these (like Brambley Hedge, Greek Myths, and Pegasus).
Looking forward to your chapter book recs. I have been reading aloud to my children since they were babies (they are now 9, 7, 6, and 1). I agree that he Magic Treehouse are grating for many reasons. My 7 year old just finished reading the Amazon book (I think it was the 6th?), and we are stopping the side by side read aloud of this series. I said he could carry on on his own, but I won't be listening to it any more. "Oh man," said Jack. :)