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

• Atwater, Richard

  • 
    Mr. Popper’s Penguins
    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

• Blyton, Enid

   A British author born at the turn of the century who wrote around 800 books. She has a cult following; worth exploring.
  • 
    The Famous Five Series
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Children of Cherry Tree Farm
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Tales of Betsy Mae
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Bolton, Michael

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

• Bond, Michael

  • 
    A Bear Called Paddington stories
    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

• Brooks, Walter

  • Freddy series

  • 
    Freddy goes to Florida
    Approx. 20 in the series; written in the 1920’s—about a poet detective pig--humurous and clever) some of our favorites:
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    The Clockwork Twin
    Approx. 20 in the series; written in the 1920’s—about a poet detective pig--humurous and clever) some of our favorites:
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Freddy Goes to the North Pole
    Approx. 20 in the series; written in the 1920’s—about a poet detective pig--humurous and clever) some of our favorites:
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Freddy, the Detective
    Approx. 20 in the series; written in the 1920’s—about a poet detective pig--humurous and clever) some of our favorites:
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Freddy and Mr. Camphor
    Approx. 20 in the series; written in the 1920’s—about a poet detective pig--humurous and clever) some of our favorites:
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• Browne, Frances

  • 
    Granny’s Wonderful Chair
    Fanciful stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• 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

• Burnett, Frances Hodgson

  • 
    The Racketty-Packetty House
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

C

• Cannon, Janell

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

• Caudill, Rebecca

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

  • Fairchild Family Series

  • 
    Happy Little Family
    Others in this series, as well
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Up and Down the River
    Others in this series, as well
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Cleary, Beverly

  • 
    Henry Huggins
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    Henry and Ribsy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• 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

• Craft, Charlotte

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

• Cullen, Lynn

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

D

• Dalgliesh, Alice

  • 
    The Courage of Sarah Noble
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• 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

• Dicamillo, Kate

  • 
    Mercy Watson series
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

E

• Early, Margaret

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

• Estes, Eleanor

  • 
    The Hundred Dresses
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Moffats
    And all the sequels
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Everett, Gwen

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

F

• Fisher, Dorothy Canfield

  • 
    Understood Betsy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

G

• Graham, Kenneth

  • The Wind in the Willows (2 Editions)

  • 
    The Wind in the Willows
    I do like the one abridged and illustrated by Inga Moore. She doesn’t change the language, but does edit out lengthy description that for some children is cumbersome—including mine.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3
  • 
    The Wind in the Willows (Inga Moore)
    I do like the one abridged and illustrated by Inga Moore. She doesn’t change the language, but does edit out lengthy description that for some children is cumbersome—including mine.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• Grover, Wayne

  • 
    Dolphin Adventure
    Great short books; true stories
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2
  • 
    Dolphin Treasure
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• 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

• 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

• 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

K

• Kinsey-Warnock

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

L

• Lasker, Joe

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

• Lewis, C.S.

   All of his books as soon as children can read them, esp. The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce (L4)
  • 
    The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

• 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

• MacDonald, Betty

  • 
    Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
    And sequels
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• MacDonald, George

  • 
    The Princess and the Goblin
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    The Princess and Curdie
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    The Light Princess
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• 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

• Milne, A.A.

  • 
    Pooh's Library: Winnie-The-Pooh
    Certainly this is one of the best children’s books of all time. Make sure to read the real version, not just all the picture book selections. The whole family can enjoy the different levels of humor.
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

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

• Norton, Mary

  • 
    The Borrowers Series
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

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

• Pearl S. Buck

  • 
    Christmas Day in the Morning
    A boy gives his father a gift of service--beautiful
    Gender: Both
    Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

• Peet, Bill

  • 
    Capyboppy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Perkins, Janet and John

  • 
    Haffertee Hamster Diamond
    And sequels
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• Peterson, John

  • 
    The Littles
    And sequels, 18 books total
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2

• 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
  • 
    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

• Seredy, Kate

  • 
    A Tree for Peter
    An amazing redemptive story; a generational favorite in our family
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• 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

• Sutcliff, Rosemary

   Retells a lot of ancient classics very well
  • 
    Black Ships Before Troy
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    Eagles of the Ninth
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    The Wanderings of Odysseus
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

T

• 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

  • 
    Lassie Come Home
    A retelling—beautifully illustrated
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• White, E.B.

  • 
    Charlotte’s Web
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4
  • 
    The Trumpet of the Swan
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3, 4

• 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

• Wilder, Laura Ingalls

  • 
    The Little House Box Set
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3

• 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

  • 
    A Cowboy Christmas: The Miracle at Lone Pine Ridge
    Gender: Both
    Level: 2, 3