Picture Books - All Ages

Lesser, R. (1984). Hansel and Gretel. New York: Penguin Group.

This version of Hansel and Gretel is illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Paul O. Zelinsky.  This book was awarded Caldecott Honor.  The illustrations are very detailed and depict the characters and setting as might be imagined in a very traditional telling of the story.  The story itself is violent and disturbing as the mother convinces the father to bring the children in the forest and abandon them.  It is heartbreaking when the children find their way home and the illustrations show the children with arms outreached to their parents in joy and their mother scowls in return.  The story is the most traditional version of Hansel and Gretel including the witch who lives in the house made of candy and other sweet treats and the stones Hansel uses to find his way home.  This is a must-read version but not appropriate for the youngest readers. (Grade 1 and up). 

Isadora, R. (2009). Hansel and Gretel. New York: Putnam Juvenile.

Illustrated and written by Rachel Isadora, this version of Hansel and Gretel is set in Africa.  With bright African colors, characters, and costume, this twist on the European Hansel and Gretel is refreshing and provides a multicultural slant.  The story is traditional in the sense that Hansel and Gretel are abandoned by their parents, find the candy cottage with the witch, and escape the oven.  (Kindergarten and up).  

Raczka, B. (2010). Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

This book of haiku poems for boys is illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds and showcases haiku poetry for the seasons.  Each season includes five or six poems that describe and portray the activities young boys like to do.  The book is a great tool for modeling poetry and is fun to read.  (Kindergarten and up). 

Nelson, S.D. (2010). Black Elk’s Vision: A Lakota Story. New York: Abrams.

Black Elk has a vision at an early age that he is unable to understand, process, or share with his tribe.  He keeps it to himself until it becomes clear that the people need to hear his vision as it contains words of inspiration and wisdom which could be light in a moment of dark peril.  The book contains several photographs which document the era and bring the book to live while grounding it in history.  Black Elk becomes a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and travels to New York City and abroad until he returns home a few years later.  As he ages and matures his message finally resonates with him and becomes the motto for how he lives his life.  Highly informative and told from the perspective of a Native American at a time when Native Americans were gathered onto reservations against their will, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages.  (Grades 3 and up). 

Polacco, P. (2009). January’s Sparrow. New York: Penguin Group. 

This is heart-wringing story of a young girl’s family as they travel the Underground Railroad.  It begins with a slave named January who carves a sparrow for the young girl, named Sadie.  Readers may be appalled to read and see what happens to January through the text and illustrations.  When Sadie’s family begins their journey the wooden sparrow is left behind.  This story is written in the dialect of the slave families and the content of the story is emotional and best shared with older elementary or middle school students. (Grade 5 and up).  

Tingle, T. (2010). Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light. El, Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press.

This non-fiction book written by a Choctaw member about his grandmother portrays a modern Native American family.  The title “Saltypie,” compromises the pain and turmoil usually accompanied by discrimination when the boys grandmother teaches him how to use it to ease difficult situations.  The boy is also surprised to learn of his grandmother’s blindness and learns of a subtle method she uses to cope with the disability.  The book is honest and pleasant to read.  (Grade 2 and up).

Sendak, M. (1970). In The Night Kitchen. New York: Harper and Row. 

This book is banned for the nudity of a the small boy.  In one illustration it is almost clear that the child has been circumsized.  For young children reading with their parents, this book is a fun read.  It rhymes and it stems from the imagination of a small child’s dreams.  He dreams of landing into the baker’s bread in response to their calls for milk.  Then becomes the hero as he retrieves milk and finishes the recipe.  In a public facility, the book may not be appropriate to share with groups of children due to the nudity.  

Steig, W. (1987). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York: Aladdin Picture Books.

Sylvester is a curious little donkey who stumbles upon a magical red pebble and incidences foolishly result in his wish that he would be a rock.  For a long time Sylvester remains a rock and realizes how dearly his misses his family.  The story gives some insight as to what life as a rock must be like and readers will be thoroughly relieved at the ending of the story (hint, hint).  The book has been banned because there are pigs in the story characterized as policemen.  I wouldn’t hesitate to share the story in a classroom because the positive impact of the language and writing used by William Steig far outweighs the negative impact children may experience witnessing pigs dressed as policemen. 

A Place for Grace. (1993). Written by Jean Davies Okimoto.  Illustrated by Doug Keith.  Told from the perspective of a dog who wants to be recognized as a seeing dog, this is a story about an unlikely friendship and how a deaf man goes through great lengths to help this determined dog.  

A Sick Day for Amos McGee. (2010). Written by Philip C. Stead.  Illustrated by Erin E. Stead.  An adorable story about a zookeeper and the friends who visit him when he is sick in bed. 

city dog, country frog. (2010). Written by Mo Willems.  Illustrated by Jon J. Muth.  This book is a sweet story about the friendship formed between a frog and dog with illustrations that complement the text wonderfully.  

Farm. (2010). Written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper.  A real-life portrayal of a farm in the 21st century including the regular cows, pigs, and sheep and also the cell phones and farming technology that makes mass productions of food possible.

Fairy Wings. (1995). Written by Lauren A. Mills.  Illustrated by Dennis Nolan.  This is an adorable story of a fairy born without wings and therefore set apart from all the other fairies.  She befriends a rat, crow, and frog because they accept her for who she is and then she meets someone who changes everything. 

Hip-Pocket Papa. (2010). Written by Sandra Markle.  Illustrated by Alan Marks.  This realistic fictional story teaches readers about hip-pocket frog and is complete with a glossary and notes about the frog at the end of the story.  

Mirror Mirror. (2010). Written by Marilyn Singer.  Illustrated by Josée Masse.  This book of poems about fairy tales is a clever demonstration of how poetry can sometimes be read down or up and have significant meaning.  

The Cow on the Roof. (2006). Written by Eric Maddern.  Illustrated by Paul Hess.  A story about a husband and wife who reverse roles for the day resulting in a cow on the roof.