“One of my greatest joys of parenthood was getting ready to read before bed,” he says. Sophie BlackallCaldecott-winning illustrator and author of more than 50 picture books, “Your children are fresh from the bath and in their pajamas, clean-smelling and moist and sleepy. I get so sad when I look at the little children in our building.”
Sophie has written some of my most requested children’s reads, including hello lighthouse And if we were dogs. his picture book, if you come to earthis a gentle introduction to living on this planet, and her illustrated collection of small joys, Things to Look Forward To, is my gift to friends going through tough times.
“Picture books are for everyone,” Sophie agrees. Here, the author shares 20 favorites, one of which has been given to her as a gift dozens of times…
Classic: tell me a mitzi By Lore Segal and illustrated by Harriet Pincus
“I read it to both of my children over and over again. Lore Segal really understood kids. It shows in her funny, inventive, child-centered stories, and her illustrations of a city girl’s big adventures are weird and wonderful.”
New Release: bored by felicita sala
“The story of a child who is more bored than anyone in the history of the world. The illustrations are drawn with great joy and depict the physical embodiment of boredom. And it’s brilliant because it’s about boredom but inspires action.”
great gift: Moosestache Moosestache by rowboat watkins
“This silly take on the book leads to a pleasantly surprising ending. I think kids will go crazy and want to read it a million times. It might drive parents crazy…”
Strong message: we are definitely human X. by fang
“Three lovely visitors from outer space come to Earth claiming to be humans. They behave very strange, but the welcome they receive from the rural community is enough to make me cry.”
All about the community: Thank you, Omu! By Oge Mora
“A cook makes a thick red stew that is so delicious it attracts half the neighborhood to her door. Omu gives her dinner and is left with an empty pot, but the neighbors return with their offerings.”
Soft hearted story: Anything By Rebecca Stead and illustrated by Gracie Zhang
“When a girl and her father move into a new apartment, they must accept that nothing will ever be the same. It’s a story about change, but also about the power of making wishes.”
Fun Challenge: lighthouse keeper By Eugenio Fernandez Vazquez, illustrated by Mariana Villanueva Segovia, and translated by Kit Maude
“It’s important for children to read books that move them. The Lighthouse Keeper has additional text and conceptual illustrations that allow children to understand what is happening.”
Cutest Characters: little sly by Akiko Miyakoshi
“I love anything by Akiko Miyakoshi, but you just want to pick up The Little Shrew and put it in your pocket. This book is a quiet ode to small joys and a beautiful antidote to tired screens and technology.”
A book that will make you cry: mother tree by Sybil Rosen and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
“A mother and child try to save a tree from being cut down. Never preachy, this beautiful and poignant story invites you to pay attention to all that trees do.”
Book to make you laugh: 17 things I’m not allowed to do anymore By Jenny Offill and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
The novelist’s delightful book begins, “‘The thought occurred to me of gluing my brother’s hair to the pillow…’ jenny offill. Connecting with a naughty character doesn’t mean young readers will be naughty. Most kids are smarter than we give them credit for – they can live just like us!”
Ahead of its time: Country bunny and little gold shoes by DuBose Hayward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack
“Written in 1939, this early feminist story features a mother rabbit who becomes the fifth Easter Bunny. Reading it as a child, I was introduced to some of my most important beliefs: Women can do anything, being an artist is a real job that is as valuable as any other job in society, and really intelligent people also tend to be kind, generous, and welcoming. I took this book to a United Nations meeting; I love it just as much.”
Wise words about loss: Duck, Death and Tulip by wolf erlbruch
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the only book humanity needs about death. It is matter-of-fact and, at the same time, very gentle. It resonates in a way that no other book on the subject has done for me.”
Gorgeous Artwork: the boy who became a parrot by Wolverton Hill and illustrated by Laura Carlin
“Laura Carlin’s stunning artwork in this biography of Edward Lear fills me with a mixture of admiration and envy—the best feeling an artist can have.”
Entertaining series for beginning readers: dory phantasmagoria by Abby Hanlon
“This series is pure gold for kids. It’s so thrilling to see young readers living in the world that Abby Hanlon has created. I truly believe that reading books for kids should be fun.”
All about friendship: frog and toad are friends by Arnold Lobel
“The Frog and the Toad is beloved for a reason. Arnold Lobel is candid and empathetic about the misunderstandings that arise in relationships. These timeless stories demonstrate how to have friends you can keep coming back to throughout your life.”
Unforgettable Story: roxaboxane by Alice MacLaren and illustrated by Barbara Cooney
“This story is about kids building a city in the desert. They start out with some boxes and rocks and then start expanding, eventually building roads with shops and making laws. Then all the kids grow up and move away but they never forget it. It ruins me.”
Talent Trilogy: we got a hat by john classen
“Jon Clasen doesn’t need to tell the world how great his books are because we all know! But his third book hat trio It is a work of genius. Amazing story that shows how to be a person in the world.”
Thoughtful Lessons: Mr. Fiorello’s Head By Cecilia Ruiz
“This charming story follows Mr. Fiorello and the three problematic remaining hairs on his head. Full of humor and empathy, this story is about reinventing yourself in changing circumstances. The pastel illustrations look like risograph prints.”
Summer Story: fireworks By Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Katia Chien
“fireworks It is a happy experience of childhood and summers. A Caldecott winner for a reason.”
Picture book for adults: uncertainty principle By Myra Kalman
“I’ve given copies to dozens of friends. It inspires you to get out into the world and notice things and talk to people—it inspires you to be alive. I stockpile copies so I can put them in the hands of people who haven’t heard of this book.”
Sophie Blackall has written and illustrated even more 50 books. story ruga collaboration with a painter Phoebe WahlComing this summer. he is at work right now Sagar: A Love StoryA picture book for adults based on his experiences sailing from San Francisco to Sydney using a cyanometer to measure the changing colors of the ocean, as well House on WheelsWhich she is painting with paint made from dirt she collected on a cross-country road trip. she directs Milkwood FarmA creative retreat center for writers and illustrators.
Now it’s your turn: What picture books do you like? My children and I are always looking for new books to read and would love to hear about your favorites.
PS Which children’s books do you like and 25 children’s books with characters of different colors.
