What Makes a Great Children’s Picture Book?

What Makes a Great Children’s Picture Book?

In my life, I have always been in love with children’s picture books. Beginning at a young age, I, like many other children around the world was attracted to a book because of the pictures. The text being read to me by my parents or someone in my family. There are a few books that really stand out in my memory as a child. The first being a story about The Little Mermaid. I have no idea who wrote this particular version, nor do I own the book anymore. This story fascinated me because the picture sparkled and wiggled around as you moved the book. This made the mermaid look as if she was actually swimming. It was absolutely beautiful. The words of the story are barely a blip in my memory but to this day I can remember that beautiful mermaid swimming through the deep blue sea.

The second book that is embeded into my memory is a book called Junk Day on Juniper Street by Lilian Moore with the pictures done by Arnold Lobel. Honestly the pictures were awesome but this time it was the story that captured my little mind. Like most streets, even up to today, a day was designated that would be junk day. This would be a day where if you had extra large trash or things to be rid of you could put them out in front of your house by the street. The junk man would come along sometime during the day and remove the junk for each family. Well, the day comes along and everyone places their junk out. One by one each neighbor finds something they each need and takes it home to be used at their house. By the time the junk man comes there is nothing left on the street but a lonely rocking chair. He picks up the chair and places it into his truck…. and takes it home. Such a lovely story and I’ve never forgotten it even though I have not seen the book since I was about 7 years old.

So, again, what makes a good children’s picture book? A great children’s picture book is one that touches your soul and makes an imprint on your heart. The particular book is different for each child or even adult.

Here is a list of some picture books that have touched my soul as an adult.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numberoff

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

My list could actually go on and on but I’ll stop here. What is your favorite children’s picture book? Let me know on Instagram or Facebook.

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