How many kids do I have? 0
How many kids’ books do I have on my bookshelf? At least 10
How many kids’ books do I have on my Amazon Wishlist? More than 50
Why do you ask? Because I wish I could bottle up a child’s creativity and imagination and sprinkle it in my coffee when I’m feeling bitter and blah. Because children’s books are magical and inspiring and short. Because I have relatives and friends with kids who are constantly having birthdays. Because children and their parents should read more and watch TV less. Because books are the most awesomest gifts to give and receive.
Below is my attempt to narrow down my list of favorite children’s books to just those with a creative element. Whether it be animals made of fonts, a penguin in search of new colors, or a classic story retold with fabulous illustrations, these books will dazzle and amaze you and a child in your life.
Harold and The Purple Crayon
Author/Illustrator: Crockett Johnson
Harold was first introduced in 1955, and he’s still the coolest little dude around. I consider this book to be THE creative kids’ book. Simple, classic, perfection. It is my go-to gift for folks with kids. And if you like this one, there are several Harold books in the series.
Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won’t get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger. –Amazon
Alphabeasties: And Other Amazing Types
Authors/Designers: Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss
Ok, so type animals aren’t a completely new concept (see Bembo’s Zoo below), but the gals of Werner Design Werks, Inc. crank it up a notch by using different fonts, adorable copy, and creative foldouts.
From an alligator made of aaa’s to a zebra made of zzz’s, the alphabeasties in this book are ingeniously built out of multiple typefaces. Adults and children will be engaged and delighted with the flaps, which lift to reveal ‘beasties’ for each letter of the alphabet. –Amazon
An Awesome Book
Author/Illustrator: Dallas Clayton
Encouraging you to dream big and wildly (rocket-powered unicorns anyone?), this little gem has some of the most imaginative copy and illustrations I have ever seen. And it reminds us that dreams are magical and can change the world. Duh.
Written in the vein of classic tales by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Maurice Sendak it is a sure hit for all generations young and old. –Radder
The Utterly Pointless Counting Book
Author/Illustrator: Harriet Russell
I’ve never been a fan of numbers, so the title alone had me hooked. And then you open it up to realize the items you are asked to count are imaginary. Now that’s my kind of math.
The Utterly Pointless Counting Book…providing the reader with opportunities to try to count things that aren’t there such as 3 coats of paint on a wall or 7 snails moving so fast that you can’t see them. –Amazon
There Was An Old Lady
Author/Designer: Jeremy Holmes
We all know this dark little twisted story, but the folds and flaps of this book are so engaging you can’t help but keep reading … further into her stomach, that is. And the ending is morbidly fabulous!
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly…a bird…a cat…a dog…a snake…a cow…and a horse. Do you know what happened to her? Of course you do! But with his distinct art style and a clever format, acclaimed graphic designer Jeremy Holmes (of Mutt Ink) has given the universal rhyme a unique makeover that is clever, funny, and unexpected. –Amazon
One Red Dot: A Pop-Up Book for Children of All Ages
Author/Illustrator: David Carter
Disclaimer: The mechanics of this book are so mind blowing and fun that little hands will want to pull and yank, over and over and over again. So consider yourself warned. And if you like this one, there are several David Carter pop-up books in the series.
Each of the ten magnificent pop-up sculptures challenges readers to find the one red dot. From the flip-flop flaps to the whimsical wiggle-wobble widgets, each page is an original piece of artwork to cherish and admire. –Amazon
A Penguin Story
Author/Illustrator: Antoinette Portis
What’s cuter than a penguin? A penguin in search of new colors. Seriously, cutest plot ever.
Edna the penguin knows three colors—the black of night, the white in snow and ice, and the blue of the ocean that goes on forever. She knows there must be more, so Edna sets off on a quest to find it. –Amazon
Follow the Line
Author/Illustrator: Laura Ljungkvist
The one continuous line through this entire book is so mesmerizing that you hardly realize that you’re learning to count (again, not a fan of numbers). And if you like this one, there are several Follow the Line books in the series.
Follow the line on a journey from the city to the country, from the sky to the ocean, from morning till night. Laura Ljungkvist uses her trademark continuous line style to create the perfect counting book for young children. Each page is packed with colorful, artful objects and animals—and young counters can follow the line from the front cover to the back cover, through each stunning scene. –Amazon
Bembo’s Zoo: An Animal ABC Book
Author/Designer: Roberto De Vicq De Cumptich
Classic typeface + font-only illustrations = a book for little (and big) designers.
From antelope to zebra-with such exotic beasts as iguanas and narwhals in between-this menagerie of animals has been created with only the shapes of the letters in each animal’s name. Children will have fun playing “I spy” with the letters in each picture, and adults will admire the sophisticated art and sleek design of this sumptuous book. –Amazon
Sparkle and Spin: A Book About Words
Authors/Illustrators: Paul and Ann Rand
Paul Rand. Children’s book. ‘Nuff said. And if you like this one, there are several Rand books for kids.
Paul Rand did not set out to create classic children’s books, he simply wanted to make pictures that were playful. Like the alchemist of old, he transformed unlikely abstract forms into icons that inspired children and adults—and laid the foundation for two books that have indeed become children’s classics. –Steven Heller, author of Paul Rand
The Little Flower King
Author/Illustrator: Kveta Pacovska
The collage-style illustrations in this book are worthy of an art gallery, and the innovative die-cuts add that little bit of extra charm and wonder.
The little flower king wants nothing in the world so much as to fill his kingdom with beautiful flowers. But when every acre has been covered with tulips, he realizes he still isn’t happy—he wants a princess. So he travels the world in search of her, only to return home sad and alone. It isn’t until he visits his garden again that he finds his princess, calling out to him from one of the newly blooming tulips. –Amazon
The House That Jack Built
Author/Illustrator: Simms Taback
This is another great example of a classic tale made better with the use of clever words and illustrations.
Caldecott Award-winner Simms Taback’s Jack builds a house like no other and fills it with cheeses from all nations, which of course attracts the rat that stirs up the cat. Taback takes the usual cast of characters in this classic cumulative rhyme and presents each in a funny new light that will keep readers laughing. His addition at the end neatly fits an appropriate character into Jack’s story and makes his telling even more unique. –Amazon
I’m certain I only scraped the surface of amazing children’s books and am always looking for more, so please add to the list in your comments below.
A DELIGHT !
Why thank you Pat! Now when are you going to do a kids book? It would def. make my list. :o)
Great list Carolyn! I don’t want to reveal too much but Sharon Werner will be making a visit to DC in late March…
Awesome article Carolyn! I heart kids books as well. I also agree with the comment that Pat should write a kids book.
As a parent who has to read the SAME DAMN BOOKS over and over again (i love you kids!) these are some great choices that will never get old!
Don’t tease me John! And thank you Angela and Corey. :o)
You forgot about Goodnight Moon, Drummer Hoff, and Dr. Seuss Butter Battle Book. I wrote a blog post about some inspiring illustrations from vintage children’s books http://www.russellheimlich.com/blog/inspiration-from-vintage-childrens-books/
And unlike big person books, children’s books are more likely to be read every once in a while.
I love this article! Great ideas for my niece and nephews!
Nice, Carolyn! Have you heard of The Serif Fairy?
No i have not Anne! But i’m Googling it right now!
So, FYI, the American Library Association’s annual conference is in DC next year. Lots of books, lots of authors!
Oh, and great article CS! :-)
Sparkle and Spin looks darling!
Another favorite I would add is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! http://www.pigeonpresents.com/
Great list, Carolyn! As someone who had kids’ books when I was in college, I can totally relate. It makes it easier to read them over and over (which you do!) when they are well-designed. Here are some others that I love:
Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks by Calef Brown
Jumanji, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (anything really) by Chris Van Allsburg
John Jeremy Colton by designers Byron Glaser and Sandra Higashi
When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang
Katie-Oh is right, the Pigeon books are positively fabulous, esp. the Bus one! And Doug, I’ll have you know that the “Polka Dots and Octopus Slacks” and “When Sophie Gets Angry” have now been added to my wishlist. Thanks for sharing!
Good picks –
Harold is at the top of my list, too! I notice the illustration styles you’ve posted gravitate towards flat and decorative… very GD.
Are any of the more classically illustrated books on your list? A few of mine are Hardy Gramatky’s “Little Toot”, Graeme Base’s “Animalia”, P.D. Eastman’s “Go Dog Go!”, and the original H.A. Rey “Curious George” books…
ole’ standards, and I’m showing my illustrator’s bias.
I am definitely going to check out your listed choices – thanks!