Picture Books

A

• Alsburg, Chris Van

  • 
    The Wretched Stone
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• Anno, Mitsumasa

  • 
    Anno’s Journey
    There are several Anno books. Most are wordless and the reader has to find Anno in various landscapes—very fun even for young children.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Armstrong, Jennifer

  • 
    Pockets
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

B

• Barker, Cicely Mary

  • 
    The Lord of the Rushie River
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Bernadette

  • 
    Varenka
    a Russian story of a delayed answer to prayer and the miracle that results
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• Beskow, Elsa

   All I’ve read of hers are great
  • 
    Children of the Forest
    all I’ve read of hers are great
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Pelle’s New Suit
    all I’ve read of hers are great
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Peter's Old House
    all I’ve read of hers are great
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Bolton, Michael

  • 
    The Secret of the Lost Kingdom
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Brett, Jan

  • 
    A Christmas Treasury
    This includes most of her great stories with their gorgeous, lush illustrations; you can easily find many of her individual books.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Brown, Margaret Wise

  • 
    The Little Fur Family
    A house favorite
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Brumbeau, Jeff

  • 
    The Quiltmaker’s Gift
    Phenomenal illustrations
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Bunting, Eve

  • A Hanukkah story—very moving

  • 
    One Candle
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

C

• Cannon, Janell

  • 
    Verdi
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Stellaluna
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Caseley, Judith

  • 
    Mama Coming and Going
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Caudill, Rebecca

  • 
    A Certain Small Shepherd
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Celenza, Anna Harwell

  • 
    Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
    C.D. incl.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 3, 4

• Collington, Peter

  • 
    A Small Miracle
    Wordless Christmas story—a family favorite
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

• Cooney, Barbara

  • 
    Miss Rumphius
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Eleanor
    About Eleanor Roosevelt’s life
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Basket Moon
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Craft, Charlotte

  • 
    King Midas and the Golden Touch
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Cullen, Lynn

  • 
    The Mightiest Heart
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

D

• Deedy, Carmen Agra

  • 
    The Yellow Star
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• DePaola, Tomie

  • 
    The Clown of God
    Great illustrator; many Christian themes and saints’ stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Pascual and the Kitchen Angels
    Great illustrator
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    The Holy Twins
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
    Great illustrator
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    The Night of Las Posadas
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• DeRico, Ul

  • 
    The Rainbow Goblins
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

E

• Early, Margaret

  • 
    Robin Hood
    Medieval looking illustrations—one plate per story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Everett, Gwen

  • 
    John Brown: One Man Against Slavery
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

G

• Gilman, Phoebe

  • 
    Something From Nothing
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Gruelle, Johnny

  • Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy

  • 
    Raggedy Ann Stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Raggedy Andy Stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Wooden Willie
    A little known one, but a family favorite
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Paper Dragon
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Guarnieri, Paolo

  • 
    A Boy Named Giotto
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

H

• Haas, Irene

  • 
    The Maggie B
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Hall, Donald

  • 
    The Ox-Cart Man
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Herriot, James

  • 
    A Treasury for Children
    Great retellings from his veterinarian books
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• Hest, Amy

  • 
    When Jessie Came Across the Sea
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Hissey, Jane

  • 
    Little Bear’s Trousers
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Hoban, Russell

  • The Frances Books

  • 
    Bedtime for Frances
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    A Birthday for Frances
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    A Baby Sister for Frances
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Hobbie, Holly

  • 
    Toot & Puddle
    The Toot and Puddle series is good, but these are our favorites
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Wish You Were You Here
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Hodges, Margaret

  • 
    Merlin and the Making of the King
    Great retellings of many stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Kitchen Knight
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Saint George and the Dragon
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Houselander, Caryll

  • 
    Petook, an Easter Story
    Illus. by Tomie dePaola
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Hughes, Shirley

    A house favorite—author and illustrator
  • 
    All About Alfie
    This is a compilation of Alfie stories. They also are published individually as Alfie Gets in First, Alfie’s Feet, Alfie Gives a Hand, and An Evening With Alfie or individual stories.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Dogger
    Had to read this one every night for weeks.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Alfie Wins a Prize
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    The Big Alfie and Annie Rose Storybook
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Tales of Trotter Street
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Alfie and the Birthday Surprise
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Hyman, Trina Schart

   Mostly an amazing illustrator
  • 
    Little Red Riding Hood Retold
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Sleeping Beauty
    Mostly an amazing illustrator
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Rapunzel
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

I

• Iwamura, Kazuo

   For young children—cozy family stories and illustrations
  • 
    The 14 Forest Mice and the Summer Laundry Day
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    The 14 Forest Mice and the Spring Meadow Picnic
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    The 14 Forest Mice and the Winter Sledding Day
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

J

• Johnson, Crockett

  • 
    Harold and the Purple Crayon
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Johnston, Tony

  • 
    Yonder
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

K

• Kinsey-Warnock

  • 
    The Bear That Heard Crying
    Based on a true story about Sarah Witcher
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Krauss, Ruth

  • 
    A Hole is to Dig
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

L

• Lasker, Joe

  • 
    A Tournament of Knights
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Lindman, Maj

  • 
    Flicka, Ricka, Dicka
    and all the different stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Snip, Snap, Snurr
    And all the different stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Lunge-Larsen, Lise

  • 
    The Race of the Birkebeiners
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

M

• MacLachlan, Patricia

   I find her books painfully beautiful
  • 
    All the Places to Love
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Through Grandpa’s Eyes
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Mayer, Marianna

  • 
    Beauty and the Beast
    Beautiful illustrations
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• McClintock, Barbara

  • 
    Dahlia
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• McCloskey, Robert

  • 
    Lentil
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Make Way for Ducklings
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    One Morning in Maine
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Blueberries for Sal
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• McLerran, Alice

  • 
    Roxaboxen
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Meisel, Paul

  • 
    Zara’s Hats
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Mills, Lauren

  • 
    The Rag Coat
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

N

• Nesbit, E.

  • 
    The Book of Beasts
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Northcote, Nancy

  • 
    Pottle Pig
    Hilarious stories with great illus. about a very mischievous pig
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

O

• O’Connor, Sandra Day

  • 
    Finding Susie
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Oram, Hiawyn

  • 
    Badger’s Bring Something Party
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

P

• Paterson, Katherine

  • 
    The Angel and the Donkey
    a wonderful, beautifully illustrated retelling of the story of Balaam and his donkey
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Peet, Bill

  • 
    Capyboppy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Chester, the Worldly Pig
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Philbrick, Margaret

  • 
    Back to the Manger
    Lovely Christmas story with great local (Chicago) references & illus.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

• Phillips, Mildred

  • 
    The Sign in Mendel’s Window
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Polacco, Patricia

   Great current children’s author who illustrates her own books; appeals to a broad range of children; celebrates family, miracle, and heritage. I do not like all of her books because they express attitudes or moral choices with which I disagree, but the ones listed below are excellent.
  • 
    Uncle Vova’s Tree
    An Epiphany story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Trees of the Dancing Goats
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Thunder Cake
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Rechenka’s Eggs
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Just Plain and Fancy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Chicken Sunday
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Thank you, Mr. Falker
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Christmas Tapestry
    An amazing Christmas story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    An Orange for Frankie
    A touching Christmas story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Tikvah Means Hope
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Butterfly
    Heavy subject matter—Jews plight during the Holocaust
    Gender: Both
    Level: 3
  • 
    Pink and Say
    For older children—a Civil War story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Bee Tree
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    January’s Sparrow
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Poole, Josephine

  • 
    Joan of Arc
    Illus. by Angela Barrett
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Potter, Beatrix

   Try getting the very small books as she published them
  • 
    The World of Peter Rabbit
    Can be purchased individually
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

R

• Rand, Gloria

  • 
    Sailing Home
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Riordan, James

  • 
    Jason and the Golden Fleece
    A beautifully illustrated retelling
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Robertson, Bruce

  • 
    Marguerite Makes a Book
    Beautiful in showing how illumination was done
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Robinson, Joan

  • 
    Teddy Robinson
    An easy chapter book—a house favorite
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Rogasky, Barbara

  • 
    The Water of Life: A Tale of the Brother’s Grimm
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Rylant, Cynthia

  • 
    Let's Go Home
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

  • Cobblestreet Cousins

  • 
    In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Some Good News
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    A Little Shopping
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Special Gifts
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Relatives Came
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

S

• San Souci, Robert D.

  • 
    A Weave of Words
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Sanderson, Ruth

  • 
    The Crystal Mountain
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Twelve Dancing Princesses
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Rose Red and Snow White
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Sherman, Josepha

  • 
    Vassilisa The Wise
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Steig, William

  • 
    Brave Irene
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    Dr. DeSoto
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2
  • 
    The Library
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2

• Stewart, Sarah

  • 
    The Money Tree
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Gardener
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    The Journey
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

T

• Thayer, Jane

  • 
    The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy
    Precious story
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Tudor, Tasha

   Mostly known for her lovely illustrations
  • 
    Pumpkin Moonshine
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • 
    A Time to Keep
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • 
    A Doll's Christmas
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Wings from the Wind
    An anthology of poems
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

V

• von Stockhum, Hilda

  • 
    A Day on Skates
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

W

• Wangerin, Walter, Jr.

  • 
    Peter’s First Easter
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Mary’s First Christmas
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• Wells, Rosemary

  • 
    My Very First Mother Goose
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    Lassie Come Home
    A retelling—beautifully illustrated
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Wheeler, Lisa

  • 
    Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Wilde, Oscar

  • 
    The Selfish Giant
    Retold by many different authors; I like the one by Fiona Waters, illus by Fabian Negrin, but I have seen others I love
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Wildsmith, Brian

  • 
    Joseph
    A beautifully illus. retelling of the story of Joseph and his brothers
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1

• Williams, Margery

  • 
    The Velveteen Rabbit
    This is a lovely story; just make sure you find one with equally beautiful illustrations, as the options are plentiful
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Wise, William

  • 
    The Black Falcon
    From the Decameron, retold by Wise
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Wood, Audrey and Don

  • 
    Elbert’s Bad Word
    Great story, and they never tell you the bad word—yea!
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1
  • 
    A Cowboy Christmas: The Miracle at Lone Pine Ridge
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3