let's take a stroll down memory lane: a look at picture books

Let’s take a stroll down Memory Lane and reflect on which picture books from our childhood made the strongest, most lasting impression. This should be enjoyable and worthwhile; some of you probably spend little time collecting these titles, making a tidy list, while others may instantly be able to recite every memorable title he/she read or listened to from age 3 on. . .

There is no book that compares to The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff, in my opinion. This classic, originally written in cursive handwriting, is the ultimate tale of loyalty, friendship, loss, pride, love and ownership. His mother, killed by a hunter, leaves Babar, the elephant an orphan; a lovely elderly woman takes him for her own, educating him, exposing him to culture. Babar loves the woman, but living in the big city is not the ideal life for Babar. Although the lovely lady gives Babar all he needs and wants, Babar returns to the forest where he is crowned “king of the elephants”. The story of Babar has it all: perfect illustrations, the world’s most beloved enduring pachyderm, romance (Babar weds his cousin Celeste) and simplicity wrapped up in the classic “fish out of water” tale. Maybe I have a soft spot for this most unique, detailed little tale because reading it marked the first time I had ever, at age 7, been able to read cursive writing or maybe it is my adore elephant-adoration, but this treasure always will rise to the top of my list.

Then we have quite another!: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Actually, there is no other book like this one! Max, our hero, wore his wolf suit & made mischief of one kind and another. His mother called him “wild thing” and sent him to his room without dinner. There in Max’s very room, a forest grows & grows until the ceiling hung with vines. . .do I have your attention yet? I must have a special affinity toward royalty because when Max sails away to where the wild things to become their king, I am enchanted. Those beasts with their inimitable style, gnash their terrible teeth and roar their terrible roars and Max eventually trains them with a magic trick. I have always so loved this book since the first time I read it; I adored it probably almost as much as my three children did! Where the Wild Things Are is one of those rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up. Disagree? Pick up a copy and join that wild rumpus!

King Bidgood’s In the Bathtub by Audrey Wood; illustrated by Don Wood is one of those wonderful picture books where the text is as lively and fun-filled as the illustrations. Again, the pull toward a royal subject must be what grabbed me with this zany, wild tale full of antics about a king who refuses to get out of his bathtub! This sumptuous book has a rich range of colors and tones which reflect the passing hours of the day. In this Caldecott Honor book, neither knight nor queen, duke nor courtier, can coax the king out of the tub, so he invites them into it! Only the court page has the sense to appeal to the scrub-a-dub king in this rollicking, gleefully illustrated tale.
And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street, written and illustrated by the wonderful Dr. Seuss is, maybe, the most engaging rhyming tale ever. Originally titled A Story That No One Can Beat the manuscript was rejected by over 20 publishers, but was eventually published by Vanguard Press. We follow a little guy called Marco, who watches the sight and sounds of people and vehicles traveling along Mulberry Street. Marco dreams up an elaborate story to tell to his father at the end of his walk, but instead simply tells him what he actually saw. An elaborate tale that is just plain simple by the end, but what fun it is to travel with Marco’s imagination.
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish features that lovable literal-minded housekeeper who causes quite the ruckus in the household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions. This book is timeless; no one ever thinks Amelia Bedelia is silly-she just looks at life a bit differently! A. B. is simply irresistible – her varied trips through the minefield of the English language are literate & hilarious; A.B. finds nothing more pleasurable than helping people and doing exactly what she is told to do, but often this comes with some outstanding consequences!
Minerva Louise written and illustrated by Janet Stoeke is just possible the avian equivalent of Amelia Bedelia! Minerva Louise is a frisky, curious somewhat chicken-brained hen who explores the inside of the farm house with a certainty that would make Mr. Magoo proud. Minerva L. amuses preschoolers the same as she entertains and tickles older kids and adults. Undoubtedly a star, this classic hilarious-hen-hike will tickle all who make M.L’s acquaintance & Stoeke’s simple art and text make Minerva Louise a classic.
The Story of Ferdinand, written Munro Leaf & illustrated by Robert Lawson, is one of the bestselling children's books of all time. We’re introduced to a bull who prefers sitting under a cork tree & sniffing flowers over fighting. A sweet story, a study of nonviolent tranquility, this book’s bovine, Ferdinand, has become a hero to generations of children. Ferdinand, an individualist, forever true to himself, is mistakenly requested to fight in the bullring . . . but Ferdinand will not fight: instead he is pleased to smell the flowers in the women’s hair, oblivious to others’ demands. Pacifism & staying true to oneself–what could be wrong with this?-this classic with the most lovely, simple illustrations should be around forever.
Great Joy written by Newbery Medalist winner Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline is truly a modern classic. The WWII-era story begins as a child, looks out the window to see an organ grinder with his monkey, working in the cold this night just before Christmas. Frances is troubled by the man's plight. Saddened even more when she comes to realize he's homeless, one snowy night Frances stays awake past midnight and peeks outside. When she sees them on the sidewalk, huddled against the cold, she grows even more troubled. DiCamillo gives us a lesson in what it means to care for those less fortunate than ourselves, even when that person is a stranger. With all the makings of a modern classic, this winner by DiCamillo and Ibatoulline conveys a message for all.
Make Way for Ducklings written & illustrated by Robert McCloskey is a timeless classic that always seems fresh & lively. Published in 1941, this large picture book gives us the story of a pair of mallard ducks known as Mr. & Mrs. Mallard, who, after flying all over potential locations, decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon, in a park in the center of Boston’s Public Garden. Although the story concludes with a nice “happily-ever-after” the family adventures are many! A 1942 Caldecott winner, this lovely duck’s-eye-view of the city is one to cherish.
Last but not least is the timeless tale about what goes on in an old house in Paris, covered with vines. Madeline, published in 1939, written & illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans, depicts where Madeline lives 11 other girls. Under the boarding school care of the kind Miss Clavel, Madeline wakes up in the night with appendicitis. Our spunky heroine must be rushed to the hospital. After her operation, Madeline awakens to a "room with flowers" looking out a window from which she can watch the world, as she recovers and receives visits from her friends. Bemelmans invites us to experience Madeline's bravery and kindness, especially in the face of adversity in addition to some really lovely well-known Parisian settings. The rhyming couplets that greet us, as we meet Madeline and the bunch, are inviting and beguiling: it is easy to see that Madeline is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Although this is a sort of top-ten look at the world of picture books, let’s, by no means, think it is the be-all & end-all of looking and selecting our favorites~ please share yours with us on this blog. AND, let’s focus on children’s novels next time out. . .surely there are countless chapter books that become very special over the years. Some of these will be covered next blog-time!