All my favorite things—stacks of books and bookshelves of books and libraries full of books! – Ellen L. Ramsay

This is my daughter. This is me. We don’t care about dances, or even doing our chores other than haphazardly, it is all about the books. And in the end, we find that kindred spirit who shares our same tastes and we spend our time together drinking tea and reading books. What a life! - Christine Kelly

When I read this book long ago (the publication date says 1995 so maybe not THAT long ago) I was a bit disturbed by this title.  A 20-something year old will be.  I mean, it’s about someone who spends the best hours of their life reading.  But as I got older I came to understand the Elizabeth Browns of the world.  This is one of those picks that appeals particularly to the librarians and booksellers of the world.

The description from my Amazon review reads, “Our heroine is Elizabeth Brown and our heroine’s method of entering the story is to fall from the sky into her mother’s outstretched laundry linen. Says the text, ‘Elizabeth Brown/ Entered the world/ Dropping straight down from the sky/ Elizabeth Brown/ Entered the world/ Skinny, nearsighted, and shy.’ From the beginning the girl is an avid reader. With her constant companions at her side (a stuffed teddy bear and a continually serene housecat) we watch as Elizabeth Brown goes to school and breaks her own bunk bed with the weight of her books. She lends them to friends and eschews the lure of the opposite sex. Older still, she starts tutoring and lives on her own, reading all the while. Then one day there’s no denying it any longer. ‘She had to face the awful fact.’ There are just too many books in the house. Without further ado her house becomes a library and she moves in with a female friend. To the end of their days they continue to read, ‘And turned page… after page… after page’.”

Once again I’d like to mention that this fall we’ll be seeing a whole new David Small / Sarah Stewart collaboration.  I’ve seen bits of it and all I can say is that it will KNOCK your friggin’ socks off.  That is all.

School Library Journal (which is to say, Trev Jones) said of it, “This is a funny, heartwarming story about a quirky woman with a not-so-peculiar obsession. Cheers for Elizabeth Brown, a true patron of the arts.”

This book was important for me to read. When I am lonely or sad or struggling, I come to Stillwater as if he is a friend. “I know how that is,” said Stillwater. “But there’s always the moon.” – Emily Myhr

Need I tell you? Beautiful in all respects. – Cheryl Phillips

Right now my daughter is at that phase where sometimes the pronunciation of a word will strike her as funny.  The other day that word was “panda”.  She just couldn’t get enough of it.  Pandas show up periodically in works of literature for children but the iconic ones can be sometimes hard to conjure up.  Stillwater is one of the few that folks can sometimes name off the bat.  And why not?  This 2006 Caldecott Honor winner

On her Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac Anita Silvey has a lovely write-up of the book.  At one point she says, “In an Author’s Note, Muth explains Zen Buddhism and his sources for these stories from Zen Buddhist literature and Taoism. In this book he has introduced young readers to an entirely new way of looking at the world—just as Stillwater introduces these three children to a different way to perceive reality. The text, that lingers long after the book has been closed, is accompanied by Muth’s stunning watercolor and ink art. Relying on Muth’s childhood fantasy of having a real panda as a friend, Zen Shorts takes readers into sophisticated concepts, but those as young as three years old have appreciated Muth’s blend of realism and spirituality.”

Okay.  You have to see this.  It’s kind of an adorable booktalk produced by Scholastic.  All professional and stuff.  I was amused.  They also provide all kinds of questions to ask kids.

PW said of it, “Readers will fall easily into the rhythm of visits to Stillwater and his storytelling sessions, and many more will fall in love with the panda, whose shape and size offer the children many opportunities for cuddling.”

Said School Library Journal, “Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement.”

Booklist gave it a star saying, “Stillwater’s questions will linger (Can misfortune become good luck? What is the cost of anger?), and the peaceful, uncluttered pictures, like the story itself, will encourage children to dream and fill in their own answers.”

Still, the highest praise probably came from Kirkus, saying, “The Buddha lurks in the details here: Every word and image comes to make as perfect a picture book as can be.”

And the most baffling but fun praise came via a The New York Times review, “Muth attributes the third to a Taoist tradition, but for me it calls to mind most vividly the popular picture book Fortunately, by Remy Charlip, with whom Muth has also worked. In any case, the cultural blurrings won’t reduce the pleasure with which this book is received, and most children would surely vouchsafe Jon Muth the pleasure of a one-handed round of applause for his elegant tale.”

There has been a stage adaptation, you know.  You can’t see much of it here but what you can see looks swell:

Could never read it to the kids without getting teary eyed. Great story about what a difference a teacher can make in a child’s life. – Cheryl Phillips

This is such a powerful books to read to young kids. All of the kids benefit from hearing this semi autobiographical story, but especially the struggling readers. – Alexandra Eichel

I think it’s fair to say that this book was a big surprise.  Not that people voted on it, of course.  People voted on it on the last poll, but its numbers were far too low to get on the final count.  So to see it make it, and at the more than respectable #53 . . . well, it just does the heart good.

The description from the publisher reads, “In this autobiographical story, Little Trisha, overjoyed at the thought of learning how to read struggles when she finds that all the letters and numbers get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her dummy.  Finally, in fifth grade, she is lucky enough to have a teacher who recognizes Trisha’s incredible artistic ability — and understands her problem, and takes the time to lead her to the magic of reading.  Although dyslexia is never mentioned in the book, this story will provide great reassurance to children who struggle to overcome learning disabilities.”

As you may already know, the book is autobiographical for the most part.  On her website Ms. Polacco addresses this saying, “I REMEMBER FEELING DUMB, THAT TERRIBLE FEELING ABOUT MYSELF WAS COMPOUNDED BY BEING TEASED BY A BULLY. THAT BOY CHANGED MY LIFE AND MADE ME FEEL SO UNSAFE AND SO SAD THAT I DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL ANYMORE. MR. FALKER, MY HERO, MY TEACHER, NOT ONLY STOPPED THIS BOY FROM TEASING ME, BUT HE ALSO NOTICED THAT I WASN’T READING WELL AND GOT A READING SPECIALIST TO HELP.”

It is undoubtedly the best-known (and probably best period) picture book featuring a dyslexic child we’ve ever seen.  All the more reason to check out this lesson plan called Digging Deeper: Developing Comprehension Using Thank You, Mr. Falker.”

It has some sequels, so to speak, of its own.  Using the same characters and themes, Ms. Polacco returns time and again to her own youth for inspiration.  In 2010 she published The Junkyard Wonders in which Tricia finds her tribe.  This year we’re seeing the publication of The Art of Miss Chew where Tricia is able to connect with an art teacher as well.

PW said of Thank You, Mr. Falker, “Polacco’s tale is all the more heartfelt because of its personal nature. Young readers struggling with learning difficulties will identify with Trisha’s situation and find reassurance in her success. Polacco’s gouache-and-pencil compositions deftly capture the emotional stages, frustration, pain, elation of Trisha’s journey.”

Said SLJ, “Thank you, indeed, Mr. Felker (the real name of the teacher involved) for making it all possible. Readers will be grateful for the chance to recognize, appreciate, and share in Polacco’s talent and creativity.”

I liked Booklist’s point that, “Trisha isn’t idealized: we see her messy and desperate, poring over her books. This will encourage the child who feels like a failure and the teacher who cares.”

Hear Ms. Polacco herself speak about the teacher who changed everything for her.  It’s kind of a tear-jerker itself, and she’s just great.  You can see some here and the rest here.

This is also cute.  Here we have some kids doing one of the songs from the Thank You, Mr. Falker musical in a warm-up.

When I first read this book, I thought “Caldecott” Alas, it was an honor book, which is nothing to sneeze at. I can picture Olivia and Lilly (Kevin Henkes) being buddies. I think we all know a little girl like Olivia. – DeAnn Okamura

Such personality in a pig! - Charlotte Burrows

Ah!  The world’s most famous female pig one-namer (Babe and Wilbur being male).  I once heard a rumor that the cover of this book was taken from WWII propaganda posters.  Indeed the striking red on white has an eye-catching quality that helped launch it to its current success.  Even if you don’t like Olivia, you know her.

The plot from the publisher reads, “Olivia is a spunky little pig with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm. Her daily activities — singing the loudest of songs, creating art on walls, and building skyscrapers — do not tire her in the least. Rather, when it is time for bed, she asks for a plethora of books to be read! Olivia’s mom, on the other hand, is drained.”

It seems a bit unfair to consider that this was Falconer’s first picture book.  I suppose that’s sort of the dream.  You write a picture book and BOOM!  Instant classic.  Whatchagonnado?  Like fellow Top 100 Picture Book Poll member William Steig, Falconer is a New Yorker cover artist as well.

I was most fascinated, when reading through various professional reviews of this book, to read this line from Kirkus, “Although the most visual weight is given to Olivia, just waiting on the sidelines is Olivia’s little brother Ian. New fans of Falconer can only hope Ian will soon star in his own book.”  Twelve years later we’re still waiting.

The single best blog post I have ever read that was Olivia related?  This one right here.  It made my week.

You can read the full book here.  And, never to be outdone by Eloise, she has her own website too.  And yes, she also got a pretty pretty postage stamp.

Publishers Weekly said of her, “Come one, come all for this extraordinary debut for both Falconer and his unforgettable porcine heroine. Falconer’s choice to suggest Olivia with a minimum of details and a masterful black line allows readers to really identify with her-no doubt, they will. There’s a little bit of Olivia in everyone.”

The Christian Science Monistor said, “Not only is this one terrific picture book, but it’s Falconer’s first…Illustrations are stunning, done in stark black and white with splashes of true red. Together, the words and pictures evoke smiles, giggles, and a rare but thrilling sense that this book may be absolutely perfect.”

Time said, “Falconer, whose work has appeared on New Yorker covers, has given her [Olivia} so much porcine panache that she would win over even the strictest parent. Most of the time.”

And Kirkus finished with, “Rarely have readers seen a pig with such joie de vivre and panache.”

I know a little girl who cried when she thought Sylvester would be a rock forever. I’m not sure what it says about me, but that made me love the book even more. The best books are a little scary, aren’t they? – Jessalynn Gale

Overwhelming anguish and transcending joy. Not common fare for picture books. A book in need of an Amber alert. - DaNae Leu

I’ve talked about the psychology at work behind loving one children’s book or another.  And no author better represents a person’s individual personality than William Steig.  When I print the full list of all the nominations that didn’t quite make it onto the Top 100, you’re going to be shocked by sheer amount of Steig on that list.  Everyone has their favorite.  Sometimes it’s The Amazing Bone (that’s my personal love).  Sometimes it’s Doctor De Soto (though not as often as you might think).  But nine times out of ten the title that came up the most was Sylvester.  That strange little story of magic, loss, and recovery strikes a deep chord in the hearts and minds of children and parents everywhere.

From the publisher: “One rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his own donkey self makes a story that is beautifully tender and perfectly joyful.”

I mean, just look at that cover image!  Name me one other picture book where the defining shot of the book is two parents desperately searching and querying their neighbors about the disappearance of their son.  It’s heartbreaking.

Now the reissue of this book did a rather wonderful thing that I’ve not seen repeated in any other picture book. When a “deluxe edition” of the book came out the publisher placed in the back the reprinted Caldecott acceptance speech Steig gave for Sylvester.  This strikes me as a brilliant idea.  Would that every Caldecott and Newbery Award and Honor winner had this reprinted in their future editions.  For just a little bit of ink you get a pretty cool concept.

The Weston Woods video features the voice of John Lithgow, so I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t find a clip of it.  Here instead is a glimpse of a cool looking stage production of the same book:

After hundreds of readings, I still cry at the end of this book. – Susan Lang

Perfect story, perfect pictures. – Rose Marie Moore

This is the second Christmas picture book to grace our list so far.  Now many authors will tell you that it is difficult to write a good picture book.  Many authors will also tell you that it is even more difficult to write a good holiday picture book.  And a Christmas holiday picture book that becomes a family classic?  One that wins Caldecott Awards?  Yeah.  Good luck with all that, buddy.

But he managed it.  Somehow or other Chris Van Allsburg managed the near impossible.  Long before The Hogwarts Express became the standard magical mode of transportation, Van Allsburg created a story in his customary mysterious style and made it kid-friendly, evocative, and timeless.  This isn’t the only Christmas book on this list but it certainly is the highest you will find on the Top 50.

Children’s Literature describes the plot as, “A young man tells a story of his childhood and how his belief in Santa comes to life one snowy Christmas Eve. Although his friends tell him “there is no Santa,” he still believes he will hear the bells of Santa’s sleigh. Those beliefs come true when the Polar Express takes him to the North Pole. When they come to the North Pole, Santa chooses the protagonist to be the recipient of the first gift of Christmas. The boy wants something small and meaningful: a bell from Santa’s sleigh. The bell symbolizes the belief in Santa and the spirit of Christmas, and only those who believe can hear the magical sound of the bell.”

100 Best Books for Children has much to say about Polar Express.  Apparently the art was created when Van Allsburg used pastel oils on brown paper.  The book now sells something around a quarter of a million copies annually.  100 Best Books goes on to say: “Dedicated to his sister Karen, The Polar Express shows a wonderful brother-sister relationship, one that mirrored Van Allsburg’s relationship with his own sister… Because the book can be viewed as a statement about the nature of faith, it is often read as a ritual in homes at Christmastime ‘for all who truly believe’.”  This is probably less true of the creepy CGI movie they made of it not so long ago.

The book has even inspired a real life Polar Express which takes place each year. You may read the book here.

School Library Journal said of it, “Given a talented and aggressive imagination, even the challenge of as cliche-worn a subject as Santa Claus can be met effectively. . . Van Allsburg’s express train is one in which many of us wish to believe.”

Hollywood periodically tries to adapt Van Allsburg to the silver screen with mixed results.  The Polar Express attempt burned into our brains the importance of characters that don’t have dead tongues.  I mean, just look at ‘em here.  Like watching deceased pink fish or something.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is brilliant, but in this one, William Steig uses just the right amount of words and tells a wonderfully clever tale. - Sondra Eklund

“Frank you berry mush” - Celia Lee

Took me a second to get what Celia’s comment was saying.  Well played, madame.  It’s nice to see Mr. Steig finally make an appearance on this list, and it’s particularly funny to consider that the last time we counting down 100 this book, shockingly, was NOT included!  It was one of those gaps you gape at.  A gaping gap.  Fortunately all seems to be right on track this time around.  Phew!  Onward and upward then.

The description from the publisher reads, ” ‘Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work.’ With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De Soto, he copes with the toothaches of animals large and small. His expertise is so great that his fortunate patients never feel any pain. Since he’s a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat ‘dangerous’ animals–that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that’s killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn’t give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way.”

In her 100 Best Books for Children, Anita Silvey gives a little background on Steig that offers a hint as to the beginnings of this book. She writes, “…his children’s book career didn’t begin until he was sixty, when his fellow New Yorker artist Robert Kraus asked him for a submission for Windmill Books.  Many fine books later, Steig got the idea for this book by asking himself, What if you were a mouse dentist, and a fox came to you as a patient?”

See that shiny award on its cover?  Funny thing . . . it’s not a Caldecott.  Nope, that would be a Newbery Honor, one of the few relatively recent titles awarded a picture book.  The book was also a 1982 New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, as well as a 1983 Boston Globe – Horn Book Awards Honor Book for Picture Books.

It had a sequel, by the way.  Doctor De Soto Goes to Africa, most notably.  I wasn’t familiar with it so I looked it up and found this description, “A telegram from an elephant desperately in need of dental attention is the impetus for Dr. and Mrs. De Soto’s journey to Africa. But not all is smooth sailing for the couple, as a rhesus monkey bears a grudge against the elephant for a previous insult, and kidnaps the diminutive dentist as revenge.” SLJ was seriously unimpressed saying that, “There are some situations here that are ripe for Steig’s standard brand of humor, but the text is missing his inventive, playful language and his subtle word choices. It’s a bland telling, with some of the lines more like captions than integrated storytelling.” Kirkus and PW (for the most part) felt differently but I think time and fading memories have proven that if there are any De Soto’s to remember, it should be the first. Still, it’s probably worth noting that #2 is still in print.

There’s a lovely Weston Woods animated version of this tale that we like to play in my library.  It is, however, not available online.  This is a true pity since I’ve been trying to determine whether or not that video is the same as the 1984 animated short that was nominated for an Academy Award.

This one helped my daughter understand her anxious feelings in a fun, no pressure way. – Joanne Rousseau

The last time we conducted this poll I considered Scaredy Squirrel to be the only true 21st century picture book on this list.  Let me explain.  Certainly we’ve a fair amount of author/illustrators out there that have appeared post-2000 to worm their ways into the hearts and minds of children.  But Scaredy Squirrel is, to my mind, here today because it became an internet phenomenon.

Should I credit The Cybils?  Partly.  But word of electronic mouth may really be the reason.  I’ve seen Scaredy mentioned on blog after blog after blog.  I’ve seen people discuss it via webchats, online reviews, Amazon discussions, and more.  Scaredy Squirrel, you may be afraid of everyone and everything out there, but the one thing you are not afraid of is sure-footed viral marketing.  Well done, sir.

From my review: “Scaredy Squirrel’s world is straightforward and easy to navigate. His tree is safe and comforting whereas everything else on the planet is ‘the unknown’ and therefore worthy of fear. I mean, consider how dangerous everything is. There’s poison ivy and martians and sharks and germs and all kinds of stuff to watch out for. Scaredy Squirrel, therefore, sees no good reason why he should do anything other than eat, sleep, and look at the view from his tree’s verdant branches all day. He even has an emergency kit near at hand. Then… one day… the unthinkable occurs. Out of nowhere a ‘killer’ bee startles our hero and causes him to drop his kit. Down plunges Scaredy (before remembering the whole don’t-leave-the-tree plan) but rather than crash to the ground he finds that he is capable of something entirely new: gliding. Turns out that Scaredy has been a flying squirrel all along and never knew it. Now Scaredy makes exactly one leap into the unknown every day before playing dead for two hours and going home. And for this little squirrel, that’s a mighty big step to take.”

Jen Robinson’s Book Page said of Scaredy, “I already consider him a friend of mine, with his timid, toothy smile, but I’ll be happy to see him make more.”

MotherReader called it, “A perfect book.”

And in 2006 it won the Cybil for Best Picture Book.  He even has his own website.  Awww.  How can you not love this little guy?  Considering the vast hoards of over-protected children out there, Scaredy really is a hero for our times.

Note how the professional reviewers were unable to keep from comparing Scaredy to other books:

Booklist said of it, “Despite the simply drawn cartoons and brief text, this is more sophisticated in tone than Martin Waddell’s Tiny’s Big Adventure (2004), though the message is similar.”

Publishers Weekly said, “It’s an indication of how well Watt (Leon the Chameleon) knows her helicopter-parented audience that she’s able to turn the phrase “antibacterial soap” into a bona fide punchline. . . . Youngsters will go nuts over this one.”  <—- Best. Review. Quote. Ever.

And School Library Journal said, “Like other successful worrywarts before him, such as Kevin Henkes’s Wemberly Worried (HarperCollins, 2000) and Rosemary Wells’s Felix and the Worrier (Candlewick, 2003), Scaredy Squirrel needn’t fret about finding readers to cheer him on.”

Hey, Yanks.  Did you know they turned Scaredy Squirrel into a very Spongebob-esque television show?  Would I lie to you?

Personally, I sort of prefer this good old-fashioned book trailer:

And still we wait for the inevitable return of the Rathmann.  We sit and we wait and we hope that maybe, just maybe, she’ll write another picture book.  It’s not THAT crazy a notion, is it?  But for years not a new Rathmann has graced our shelves.   It’s like Waiting for Godot over here.  Her website hasn’t even been updated since 2004. So where is she? All we know is that according to her site, “Ms. Rathmann lives and works in Nicasio, CA on a ranch she shares with her husband, John Wick, and a very funny bunch of birds.” I’ve asked about and yes, that does appear to be where she is. She’s happy there. Happy but not making any books.  *sigh*

As the Amazon.com summary of this book put it: “Officer Buckle is a roly-poly bloke, dedicated to teaching schoolchildren important safety tips, such as never put anything in your ear and never stand on a swivel chair. The problem is, Officer Buckle’s school assemblies are dull, dull, dull, and the children of Napville just sleep, sleep, sleep. That is, until Gloria the police dog is invited along! Stealthily pantomiming each safety tip behind Officer Buckle’s back, Gloria wins the children’s hearts. Meanwhile Officer Buckle assumes the cheers and laughter are all for him.”

Fun Fact: The year that Officer Buckle and Gloria won the Caldecott the New York Public Library employees would still regularly dress up as the winning book when attending the yearly Newbery/Caldecott banquet.  For a long time a policeman’s cap sporting a pair of brown ears lived in the Central Children’s Room.  It now resides in Long Island in a box waiting to be cataloged.

Additional Fun Fact: Though this is their only official book, Officer Buckle and Gloria have appeared in at least one other Rathmann title (albeit briefly).  Can you name the book?

Publisher’s Weekly said of it, “Rathmann (Good Night, Gorilla) brings a lighter-than-air comic touch to this outstanding, solid-as-a-brick picture book.”

School Library Journal: “A five-star performance.”

And BookList summed it all up with: “Like Officer Buckle and Gloria, the deadpan humor of the text and slapstick wit of the illustrations make a terrific combination. Large, expressive line drawings illustrate the characters with finesse, and the Kool-Aid-bright washes add energy and pizzazz.”

I love so many of these, and so do the kids at my school. I find them reading – and acting them out – all the time, even though they’ve been read and reread and reread. And not just the youngest students…many a grade 5 has been observed chuckling over these two. So simple, so sweet, but so funny! How does he do it? – Emily Myrh

Oh yes.  This is happening.  Remember that last time I conducted this poll there was a ban on board books and easy books.  Now the ban has been lifted and what is the result?  Elephant and Piggie make their premier appearance on the list!  Will this be their sole outing or will they appear again later on down the road?  Only time will tell . . .

It’s a short book so the descriptions of it tend to be pretty to the point.  As Horn Book described it, “two ‘love birds’ make a nest on Gerald’s head. Cause enough for panic, but when their three eggs hatch (in record gestation time), hysteria ensues. Luckily, Piggie has a good head on her shoulders.”  I just like the term “record gestation time”.

Out of curiosity I decided to look at my library’s catalog holdings just to see how this book fares.  As of this writing 103 copies of this book currently checked out.  That’s what so weird about working for a system as large as NYPL.  Numbers like that don’t always strike me as large enough.  And it’s an easy hand sell, that’s for sure.  Basically all you need is a parent who wants something easy and basic for their kid and you just hand them everything Willems related on the shelf.

Elephant and Piggie books do have a danger of blurring together, but it’s easy to remember this one.  After all , it was the first Willems book to win a Geisel Meda.  ALA proclaimed far and wide that, “Willems’ balanced design of color-coordinated speech bubbles, expressive cartoon art and familiar vocabulary create an engaging, laugh-out-loud experience for young readers. The charming characters, whimsical tone and accessible language come together in this fresh and memorable celebration of friendship.”  And later, “In a book that is both contemporary and universal, Willems captures the hearts of readers while inspiring young children to embrace the joy of independent reading,” said Committee Chair Cindy Woodruff.  Later Are You Ready to Play Outside? would win another Geisel Medal in 2009, but those are the only ones to garner gold so far.

SLJ said of it (in tandem with other Elephant & Piggie books): “The conversation between the friends flows smoothly and allows beginning readers to practice expression as they read. These appealing titles will tickle the funny bones of children and are sure to become favorites.”

And said Horn Book, “The uncluttered, animated illustrations will help new readers decode tone and meaning while the spare speech-bubble dialogue enhances the pictures’ slapstick humor. The minimalism of both text and pictures focuses attention and moves the stories forward.”