The Best Children's Picture Books (Part 1)

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd 

“Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy…” 

The dog, Hairy Maclary, goes on a walk down the road and is joined one at a time by other doggy friends with silly names like “Hercules Morse” who’s as big as a horse! Or his friend “Schnitzel von Krumm” who has a very low tum. The creative names and seeing the trouble the dogs get into makes this a fun read! 

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

This story follows the life adventures of a woman named Alice (or Miss Rumphius) as she travels the world, works in a library and eventually settles in a small cottage by the sea.

“Alice would say, ‘When I grow up, I too will go to faraway places, and when I grow old, I too will live beside the sea.’  ‘That is all very well, little Alice,’ said her grandfather, ‘but there is a third thing you must do.’  ‘What is that?’ asked Alice. ‘You must do something to make the world more beautiful,’  said her grandfather. ‘All right,’ said Alice. But she did not know what that could be.”

As she grows older and wiser, Alice remembers her grandfather’s words and she ponders how she will make the world more beautiful. This delightful story prompts you to ask that same question in your own life.

The Storybook Knight by Helen & Thomas Docherty

“Leo was a gentle knight in thought and word and deed. While other knights liked fighting, Leo liked to sit and read. He was kind to every creature. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. When Mom and Dad said, ‘Knights must FIGHT!’ he couldn’t quite see why.” 

Leo the mouse and his faithful horse Ned venture out on a quest to tame an enormous red dragon. On the way they meet a snarling griffin and a hungry troll and Leo convinces them not to fight him but to listen to a story instead. When he arrives at the town that’s been destroyed by the dragon he is also armed with “the most amazing book with loads of dragons in it” and the Dragon is intrigued. We love the rhymes and rhythm in this book. It’s a lot of fun to do different voices for the griffin, troll and dragon along with, of course, a squeaky voice for Leo.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

“Up in the garden, we snap brittle stalks, scoop rustly armfuls, and wheel away weeds for the chickens. While they squabble and scratch, we spread compost over the soil. Down in the dirt, pill bugs chew through last year’s leaves. I give a gentle poke. They roll up tight and hide in plated suits of armor, roly-poly round.”

The word choices in this book are perfect! Every word feels carefully chosen, creating an immersive story. I love books that connect children to nature and give them language for what they’re encountering out in their own backyards.

Corduroy by Don Freeman

“Corduroy is a bear who once lived in the toy department of a big store. Day after day he waited with all the other animals and dolls for somebody to come along and take him home.” 

This childhood classic was published back in 1968.  The story of Corduroy builds on that sneaking suspicion children enjoy that their stuffed animals really are alive and have adventures of their own after nightfall.  I love this book for keeping that childlike hope alive. Corduroy is an adorable character and children love seeing him find his forever home with his new friend Lisa.

The Magical Garden of Claude Monet by Laurence Anholt

“I wish we had a garden” said Julie…”As soon as I have finished this painting,” said Julie’s mother, “I’ll take you on a journey to the most wonderful garden in the world. It belongs to my old friend, the painter, Claude Monet.” 

The first time I read this book to my oldest son he looked at me and said “Wow, that was a beautiful book”.   I think he summed it up perfectly.   Laurence Anholt models his illustrations in his book after Monet’s style.  Laurence Anholt has written and illustrated a whole artist series like this for children including Van Gogh, Leonardo Davinci and Picasso.  Anholt’s Artists series is a wonderful introduction for young children to influential artists.

Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman

"'Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jiggs! It looks like your room has been lived in by pigs!’  ‘Later.  I promise. As soon as I’m through, I’ll clean up my room. I promise. I do.’

Now, Jillian meant every word that she said, but later the promise flew out of her head. When Rachel and Peter started to shout, Jillian had to, just had to go out.” 

I grew up reading Jillian Jiggs so she has a really special place in my heart. Jillian has an unrivalled imagination and she makes a glorious mess of her bedroom in no time at all. My favourite detail in the illustrations is how her little sister tags along for all the fun.