When I first started this blog, I shared my top 5 favorite classic children’s picture books. I’ve spent some time since then thinking about their contemporary alternatives. It was tough to narrow them down, but hopefully a few will be new to you…
What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins. When Lucy was two and three years old, we read this book almost every night. Our readings are less frequent now, but no less enjoyable. Jenkins takes us through a typical Wednesday in a young girl’s life in the city. The routine of their day is like so many of our day-to-day rituals, making this book feel like an old friend.
Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar. This quirky book is so entertaining to read aloud, I choose it again and again. Polly Dunbar’s illustrations are larger than life, full of joyful drama and color. The story is silly and fantastical, but that’s what makes it so much fun. Dunbar’s rhythm is melodic: And he dreamed a bright dream of a pink cockatoo, saying over and over “toodle-oo, toodle-oo”. I dare you not to have fun reading this one.
The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child. Obviously, the story of the Princess and the Pea has been around for a long time, but Child’s modern spin is definitely my favorite. This princess is independent, strong and quirky. Child’s interjections throughout the story are witty and smart, some of them aimed at the parents without excluding the children. And her trademark collage-style illustrations, blended with Polly Borland’s photos, lend the story a new layer. Definitely a modern fairy tale.
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman. I love a good rhyming book when it’s thoughtfully done like this one. Mrs. Peters gives birth to seven children over time, each with their own picky eating habits. As she exhausts herself trying to please each one, the story gets sillier and sillier, enhanced by the vintage-style illustrations. The family’s ultimate compromise will leave you smiling.
How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers. The story here is simple and sweet—a young boy tries to catch a star to keep for himself—but the illustrations are what I love. Rich and vibrant in color and depth, and yet still spare, they will leave you wanting more.
What are some of your favorite contemporary picture books?
(All images via Amazon)
