A KID’S GUIDE TO BOOKS
Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Sendak’s book appears at the top of just about every best-book list around, and with reason: it has sold over 19 million copies worldwide since it’s publication in 1963. A tale of imagination, courage, and letting it all get crazy in the wilderness, Max dances with monsters in a ‘wild rumpus’ after being sent to his room without dinner. Fellow author Francis Spufford suggested that the book is “one of the very few picture books to make an entirely deliberate, and beautiful, use of the psychoanalytic story of anger.”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
First published in 1969, this much loved tale has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Starting with inspiration from a stack of hole-punched paper, Carle takes us on the journey of the life of a caterpillar, through its transformation from egg, to creepy crawly, and in the end to a beautiful butterfly. It also says a thing or two about healthy eating; the caterpillar gets by just fine on his weekday diet of fruit, until his saturday splurge on ice-cream, swiss cheese, salami, cherry pie, and chocolate cake leaves him with a terrible tummy-ache.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
A thought provoking tale about a young boy’s relationship with a tree who provides him everything he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, and later, branches to build his home with. Since publication in 1963, the book has sparked controversy: Is the tree selfless or self-sacrificing, is the boy selfish or reasonably demanding? Nevertheless, Silverstein’s story paints an honest picture of the transition from childhood to adulthood. A treasure of a book.
Oh The Places You’ll Go! by Theo LeSieg, aka Dr Seuss
This was the last book Dr Seuss published before his death, and tells of life’s challenges, joys and the possibilities that lay before us. Written in the second person (the boy in the story is referred to as “you”) and in future tense, “Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (98 3/4% guaranteed)”. A narrator tells the story of the boy who decides to leave town, before traversing several wonderful geometric and multi-chromatic landscapes, and concludes with a cheerfully open ending.
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
Mystical, vivid and nonsensical – who wraps honey with money in a five pound note? Why, sailing cats and birds do! – this classic rhyming poem was written by Edward Lear in 1871 with what Roger Ebert calls “immortal whimsy.” With a blue night as backdrop, two (slightly unconventional) lovers take to the sea, are wed by a pig with a nose ring, before eating mince, quince, and dancing on a beach in the moonlight.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Published in 1972, and winner of several book notable awards, Viorst’s retelling of Alexander’s frustratingly bad day is a classic and realistic nod to the realities of human existence. Alexander and his brothers are in fact based on Viorst’s own sons of the same names. Throughout the book, almost everything that could go wrong, does go wrong for Alexander – there is gum in his hair, no window seat, and kissing on TV – all the way through school until bedtime, when his mother reassures him that everyone, everywhere has bad days.
Wacky Wednesday by Theo LeSieg, aka Dr Seuss
It all begins with a shoe on the wall. A baffled young boy wakes up to discover his world (and his Wednesday) is all mixed up. Counting and spotting exercises ensue all the way until bed time, delighting large human and small human alike. The fun in finding what’s “wacky” in each picture is sure to keep the reader engaged, entertained, and satisfied – until it’s time to turn out the lights.
An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton
Author Dallas Clayton has written and illustrated an inestimably profound book, filled with whimsical and fantastical imagery (rocket-powered unicorns and candy cane machines!) in unique detail. An Awesome Book encourages young people – and reminds adults – to continue dreaming bigger dreams. Clayton wrote the book for his son, named Audio Science.
The Secret River by Marjorie Kinnans Rawlings
A depression era tale about a young girl named Calpurnia, who lives among Florida forests and wetlands, during a time where there isn’t much of anything. Calpurnia visits a neighboring witch doctor, who tells her some secrets. The folkloric story that ensues is full of courage and imagination, while demonstrating the power of generosity and giving back to the community. Look out for the hidden animals embedded in the illustrious, goddess-like drawings.
Animalia by Graeme Base
An alphabetical search and adventure book full of alliteration, Animalia was published in 1986 and has been a hit ever since. Each page features a short poem utilizing the feature letter of each page for many of the words. The illustrations are intricate, embedded with riddles and secret objects. The author has even hidden a picture of himself as a child on every page.
The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
Make sure to add The Eleventh Hour to your bookshelf, too – another award winning mystery picture book by Graeme Base. Set on the grounds of Horace the elephant’s elaborate mansion, Horace hosts a dress-up party for his eleventh birthday, inviting all of his friends; swans, alligators, rhinos, pigs, mice and more, to feast on a lavish spread, which regrettably, mysteriously disappears.
Zen Shorts by Jon Muth
A book embedded with Buddha. A giant panda with a red umbrella floats surreally into the yard of three children. His name is Stillwater and he speaks with a “slight panda accent.” The children pay him individual visits over the ensuing days, during which Stillwater tells traditional Zen tales to his rapt new friends. Author Jon Muth won a Caldecott Honour for his book, as well as the 2006 Book Sense Book of the Year Award.
Wynken, Blynken and Nod by Eugene Field
Wynken, Blynken and Nod was originally a popular poem called Dutch Lullaby. The fantasy story follows three small fishermen who sail into the sky in a wooden clog, to catch herring (or stars.) Wynken, Blynken and Nod reference a child’s two sleepy eyes, and head. The tale ends with mystic poetry, “So shut your eyes while mother sings, Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things, As you rock in the misty sea. . .” A lullaby to stay through the ages.
By Sophie Ward
