All it takes is one trip to a bookstore or one trip down memory lane to remind us that there are—quite literally—hundreds of wonderful picture books for children. Filled with beautiful imagery or funny stories or important lessons, good picture books can stand the test of time, and can be read and re-read many, many, many times. We asked our readers to share some of their favourites and now we are excited to share 17 picture books that we love.
What about you? What are your favourites? Which great books are we missing?
Poor Corduroy has been living on a shelf in a department store for a very long time. All he wants is for someone to buy him and bring him home (and, well, to find his missing button). Luckily, after an interesting night of button-searching, he gets his wish and he gets to go home.
Just what is a Gruffalo, you ask? Well, "He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws." Or maybe he's not real at all and a silly old mouse just made him up. Or maybe he is real, after all. Mystery!
Jillian is a kid like many. She has a messy, messy room (it looks like it's lived in by pigs) and promises—really promises—to clean up the mess, but there are just too many fun and exciting distractions.
This 1982 Caldecott Medal winner tells the tale of what happens when Judy and Peter find a new board game. Unbenownst to them, this is no ordinary board game, because as they play, their home turns from house into jungle, complete with real-live lion.
Poor Leonardo. All he wants to do is be an awesome monster who can scare the tuna salad out of someone, but he can't even do that. He makes a project out of Sam, who he thinks is a big scaredy cat, only he can't even scare the tuna salad out of Sam.
This one is for any parent who has had a child with bedtime issues. "Mama Llama's always near, even if she's not right here," Mama Llama needs to convince poor Baby Llama that bedtime is bedtime through hilarious rhymes and illustrations. We love this one!
Dr. Seuss, as usual, pulls yet another classic out of his hat. Even though many of his tales tend to use silly names and funny language, he has much to say and The Lorax is no exception. Amidst whimsical language and beautiful imagery, we are given some very powerful messaging about how much we need to care about the earth.
This is definitely not your average princess story, oh no. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not live happily ever after at the end of this tale, as Prince Ronald is unhappy with the way the strong and awesome princess looks after battling and outsmarting dragons. (Related: We think paper bags are very princess-y.)
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