First, can I just say I loved coming up with this list and really thinking about the books that my children love the most — I kept having endearing flashbacks to cozy reading sessions and quiet bedtime routines. Second, coming up with this list was such a challenge! There is an incredible amount of excellent work out there. Narrowing it down to fifty was tougher than I expected. Most of all, I’m over-the-moon about the reaction to the Children’s Library Giveaway. Yay for books!
A few notes: As I compiled, I realized I want to make a few different lists — favorite toddler books, favorite chapter books, favorite holiday books… But for this list, I’m focusing on picture books. I had in mind children ages 3 to 10 — though some books skew younger than 7 and some skew older than 6. I also included a few books that would fall under the toddler book category, but that are loved by most everyone of any age. There are a couple of well-illustrated chapter books too — selections that even my young children enjoy.
The other thing I tried to do as I compiled the list, was to include as many authors and illustrators as possible. For example, there are at least 6 Dr. Seuss books I would consider essential to a children’s library, but I only included one here. Lastly, I made sure to include a Fairy Tales collection, Mother Goose collection and Fables collection — it wouldn’t be a decent library without them.
I’d love(!) to hear how your list might look different. Any picture books that would make your top 50 that didn’t make mine?
P.S. — Image by Brooke of Inchmark. She writes wonderful library book reviews.
The Design Mom Top 50 Picture Books, in alphabetical order:
– Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
– Fables
– Harold and the Purple Crayon
– The Incredible Book-Eating Boy
– Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
– Madeline
– Olivia
– People
– Polkabats and Octopus Slacks
– Seasons
– So You Want to be President?
