{"id":4241,"date":"2025-10-21T07:13:39","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/?p=4241"},"modified":"2025-10-21T07:14:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:14:26","slug":"best-of-childrens-picture-books-the-atlantics-selection-and-a-personal-touch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/2025\/10\/21\/best-of-childrens-picture-books-the-atlantics-selection-and-a-personal-touch\/","title":{"rendered":"BEST OF CHILDREN\u2019S PICTURE BOOKS: THE ATLANTIC\u2019S SELECTION (AND A PERSONAL TOUCH)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today I\u2019m shamelessly piggybacking, this time using The Atlantic<\/em>\u2019s wonderful selection<\/a> of 65 outstanding US picture books for infant and toddler \u2018readers\u2019 to fill in this blog entry. The piece is not signed, but you can find for each book a comment by the person who chose it (authors, librarians and other experts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The books, the introduction mentions, are limited \u201cto titles that lead up to the transition from listening to an adult\u2019s narration to reading independently.\u201d The volumes are extremely varied but some trends can be appreciated: an abundance of anthropomorphized animals; the surprising longevity of some beloved classics (how can Miffy<\/em> have appeared in 1955?!) and the opening up in the 21st<\/sup> century of US picture books to other cultures (Africa, East Asia) and to problematic issues, such as bereavement and grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Since copying the list is a bit too lazy, I have added links for the authors and illustrators (in many cases the same person). All authors are US-born or naturalized, except when the opposite is noted. Enjoy the treasure trove!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Story of Ferdinand<\/em> (w.) Munro Leaf<\/a>, (ill.) Robert Lawson<\/a>, 1936<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel<\/em> (w., ill.) Virginia Lee Burton<\/a>, 1939<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madeline<\/em> (w., ill.) Ludwig Bemelmans<\/a>, 1939<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caps for Sale<\/em> (w., ill.) Esphyr Slobodkina<\/a>, 1940<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Carrot Seed<\/em> (w.) Ruth Krauss<\/a>, (ill.) Crockett Johnson<\/a>, 1945<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goodnight Moon<\/em> (w.) Margaret Wise Brown<\/a>, (ill.) Clement Hurd<\/a>, 1947<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries for Sal<\/em> (w., ill.) Robert McCloskey<\/a>, 1948<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harold and the Purple Crayon<\/em> (w., ill.) Crockett Johnson<\/a>, 1955<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miffy<\/em> (w., ill.) Dick Bruna<\/a> (Dutch), 1955 (originally Nijntje<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eloise<\/em> (w.) Kay Thompson<\/a>, (ill.) Hilary Knight<\/a>, 1955<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green Eggs and Ham<\/em> (w., ill.) Dr. Seuss<\/a> (Theodore Seuss Geisel), 1960<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go, Dog. Go!<\/em> (w., ill.) P. D. Eastman<\/a>, 1961<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Snowy Day<\/em> (w., ill.) Ezra Jack Keats<\/a>, 1962<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where the Wild Things Are<\/em> (w., ill.) Maurice Sendak<\/a>, 1963<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Baby Sister for Frances<\/em> (w.) Russell Hoban<\/a>, (ill.) Lillian Hoban<\/a>, 1964<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately<\/em> (w., ill.) Remy Charlip<\/a>, 1964<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble<\/em> (w., ill.) William Steig<\/a>, 1969<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Very Hungry Caterpillar<\/em> (w., ill.) Eric Carle<\/a>, 1969<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frog and Toad Are Friends<\/em> (w., ill.) Arnold Lobel<\/a>, 1970<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George and Martha<\/em> (w., ill.) James Marshall<\/a>, 1972<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day<\/em> (w.) Judith Viorst<\/a>, (ill.) Ray Cruz, 1972<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where the Sidewalk Ends<\/em> (w., ill.) Shel Silverstein<\/a>, 1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go<\/em> (w., ill.) Richard Scarry<\/a>, 1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strega Nona<\/em> (w., ill.) Tomie de Paola<\/a>, 1975<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotten Ralph<\/em> (w.) Jack Gantos<\/a>, (ill.) Nicole Rubel<\/a>, 1976<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hippos Go Berserk!<\/em> (w., ill.) Sandra Boynton<\/a>, 1977<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I Really Want to See You, Grandma<\/em> (w., ill.) Tar\u014d Gomi<\/a> (Japan), 1979<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairyland<\/em> (w., ill.) Gyo Fujikawa<\/a>, 1981<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Rumphius<\/em> (w., ill.) Barbara Cooney<\/a>, 1982<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everett Anderson\u2019s Goodbye<\/em> (w.) Lucille Clifton<\/a>, (ill.) Ann Grifalconi<\/a>, 1983<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie<\/em> (w.) Laura Numeroff<\/a>, (ill.) Felicia Bond<\/a>, 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annie Bananie<\/em> by Leah Komaiko<\/a>, (ill.) Laura Cornell<\/a>, 1987<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mirandy and Brother Wind<\/em> (w.) Patricia C. McKissack<\/a>, (ill.) Jerry Pinkney<\/a>, 1988<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talking Eggs<\/em> (w.) Robert D. San Souci<\/a>, (ill.) Jerry Pinkney<\/a>, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mitten<\/em> (w., ill.) Jan Brett<\/a>, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday<\/em> (w., ill.) David Wiesner<\/a>, 1991<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tar Beach<\/em> (w., ill.) Faith Ringgold<\/a>, 1991<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Salamander Room<\/em> (w.) Anne Mazer<\/a>, (ill.) Steve Johnson<\/a> and Lou Fancher<\/a>, 1991<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stellaluna<\/em> [Stelaluna<\/em>] (w., ill.) Janell Cannon<\/a>, 1993<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good Night, Gorilla<\/em> (w., ill.) Peggy Rathmann<\/a>, 1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bark, George<\/em> (w., ill.) Jules Feiffer<\/a>, 1999<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia<\/em> (w., ill.) Ian Falconer<\/a>, 2000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type<\/em> (w.) Doreen Cronin<\/a>, (ill.) Betsy Lewin<\/a>, 2000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beautiful Blackbird<\/em> (w., ill.) Ashley Bryan<\/a>, 2003<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Rosen\u2019s Sad Book<\/em> [El libro triste<\/em>] (w.) Michael Rosen<\/a> (England), (ill.) Quentin Blake<\/a> (England), 2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitten\u2019s First Full Moon<\/em> [La primera luna llena de gatita<\/em>] (w., ill.) Kevin Henkes<\/a>, 2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little Blue Truck<\/em> (w.) Alice Schertle<\/a>, (ill.) Jill McElmurry<\/a>, 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Are in a Book!<\/em> (w., ill.) Mo Willems<\/a>, 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Red Lollipop<\/em> (w.) Rukhsana Khan<\/a> (Pakistan-Canada), (ill.) Sophie Blackall<\/a> (Australia), 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marisol McDonald Doesn\u2019t Match<\/em> (w.) Monica Brown<\/a>, (ill.) Sara Palacios<\/a>, 2011<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Day the Crayons Quit <\/em>(w.) Drew Daywalt<\/a>, (ill.) Oliver Jeffers<\/a> (Australia-Northern Ireland) 2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole<\/em> (w.) Mac Barnett<\/a>, (ill.) Jon Klassen<\/a> (Canada), 2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandad\u2019s Island<\/em> (w., ill.) Benji Davies<\/a>, 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Stop on Market Street<\/em> (w.) Matt de la Pe\u00f1a<\/a>, (ill.) Christian Robinson<\/a>, 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sound of Silence<\/em> (w.) Katrina Goldsaito<\/a>, (ill.) Julia Kuo<\/a>, 2016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

School\u2019s First Day of School<\/em> (w.) Adam Rex<\/a>, (ill.) Christian Robinson<\/a>, 2016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juli\u00e1n Is a Mermaid<\/em> (w., ill.) Jessica Love<\/a>, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Big Mooncake for Little Star<\/em> (w., ill.) Grace Lin<\/a>, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dreamers<\/em> (w., ill.) Yuyi Morales<\/a>, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birdsong<\/em> (w., ill.) Julie Flett<\/a> (Canada), 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lubna and Pebble<\/em> (w.) Wendy Meddour<\/a> (England), (ill.) Daniel Egn\u00e9us<\/a> (Sweden), 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knight Owl<\/em> (w., ill.) Christopher Denise<\/a>, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World Belonged to Us<\/em> (w.) Jacqueline Woodson<\/a>, (ill.) Leo Espinosa<\/a>, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Millie Fleur\u2019s Poison Garden<\/em> (w., ill.) Christy Mandin<\/a>, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m Sorry You Got Mad<\/em> (w.) Kyle Lukoff<\/a>, (ill.) Julie Kwon<\/a>, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Some considerations. One is that, it seems to me, authors who are also illustrators have a clear advantage over authors than must partner with an illustrator, as they need not depend on someone else. No idea how this partnership works, I\u2019ve never read or seen anything about it. Another consideration is that, like all genres, picture books have a circuit of awards. The Caldecott Award<\/a> (named after nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott<\/a>) is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The John Newbery Medal<\/a> (named after eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery<\/a>) is awarded by the same institution to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The Hans Christian Andersen Award<\/a> is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books, and is given annually by IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People).           Finally, I\u2019m composing this post on the day when I have unearthed from the bottom of my computer the three stories I wrote for my nieces about ten years ago, and the other three I wrote with them. The time we spent together reading and writing the stories was simply wonderful, and I recommend to everyone close to children that they give it a try (I\u2019m not a mother, I\u2019m an aunt). It doesn\u2019t matter if the end result is not close by far to anything publishable: the fun is in making up stories, goofing a bit around, and creating sweet memories for when the kids are older. It works, promise!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today I\u2019m shamelessly piggybacking, this time using The Atlantic\u2019s wonderful selection of 65 outstanding US picture books for infant and toddler \u2018readers\u2019 to fill in this blog entry. The piece is not signed, but you can find for each book a comment by the person who chose it (authors, librarians and other experts).           The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1137,11,1093,18,799,22],"tags":[965,1369],"class_list":["post-4241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-contemporary-literature","category-cultural-studies","category-english-studies","category-general","category-literary-criticism","category-literary-studies","tag-genre","tag-picture-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4241"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4242,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions\/4242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/saramartinalegre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}