Picture Books to Read With Older Children (Perhaps)

Outside over there

Sendak, Maurice.

From the Publisher

With Papa off to sea and Mama despondent, Ida must go outside over there to rescue her baby sister from goblins who steal her to be a goblin's bride.

My Thoughts

I like Sendak immensely, just about everything I've seen of his. This one is particularly chilling. Also look at "In the Night Kitchen."

Tomi Ungerer : a treasury of 8 books.

Ungerer, Tomi, 1931- author, interviewee.

From the Publisher

This glorious treasury brings together eight iconic tales by Tomi Ungerer, featuring well-known classics , acclaimed recent works, and lost gems, some of which are being published for the first time in 50 years! Special features include a personal letter from Tomi, new quotes and anecdotes about each story, an exclusive interview, photos and previously unpublished materials from the making of some of his most celebrated works.

My Thoughts

A bit of a cheat, this one, since it includes eight books, but, much like Sendak (the two are very closely related in my mind), I love them all. The author interviews included at the end offer tremendous insight into the inspiration for these stories, as well as the messages and lessons he wishes to convey.

On beyond zebra!

Seuss, Dr.

From the Publisher

After he goes through the normal alphabet, the narrator creates a nonsense alphabet of letters that come after Z.

My Thoughts

This is my favorite of the lesser-known Dr. Seuss books. He creates an entirely new, zany alphabet with wildly inventive creations to accompany each letter.

Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire's book of Greek myths.

D'Aulaire, Ingri, 1904-1980.

From the Publisher

A collection of classical Greek myths.

My Thoughts

I recommend this book a lot, often with the suggestion that parents be mindful of its content. Though technically non-fiction, the myths read like great stories, and the colorful illustrations are vibrant and beautiful.

The Wizard of Oz

Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank), 1856-1919, author.

From the Publisher

With stunning illustrations and a child-friendly, abridged retelling that remains faithful to Frank L. Baum's original text, this Classic Edition of The Wizard of Oz is a must-have for every family's library. Readers of all ages will follow the Yellow Brick Road on an unforgettable journey that takes them from Dorothy's gray Kansas home into the blue Munchkin land; the sparkling bejeweled Emerald City; the dark, foreboding forest; and the ruby-red throne room of Glinda the Good Witch.

My Thoughts

This is one of the longer ones, but I'll take any chance I can to recommend "The Wizard of Oz," especially when the illustrations in this volume do so much to enhance the story.

The sweetest fig

Van Allsburg, Chris.

From the Publisher

After being given two magical figs that make his dreams come true, Monsieur Bibot sees his plans for future wealth upset by his long-suffering dog.

My Thoughts

Like other books in this list, I like most everything this author has written and illustrated (especially when the two go together), and struggle to decide which one to include here. This book won the contest for its absurd humor.

The dark

Snicket, Lemony.

From the Publisher

Laszlo is afraid of the dark which lives in the same big, creaky house as him, until one night the dark pays him a visit.

My Thoughts

This book (similar to the work of Sendak and Ungerer) does not shy away from the anxiety and fear felt throughout childhood. It also happens to feature a light, reassuring ending.

The dead bird

Brown, Margaret Wise, 1910-1952, author.

From the Publisher

When they find a dead bird, a group of children bury it in the woods, sing a song to it, and put flowers on the grave.

My Thoughts

Though I worry there is a morbid thread running through this list, I appreciate the tender yet direct encounter with death featured in the book, as though it's simply a matter of course.

The mischievians

Joyce, William, 1957-

From the Publisher

Dr. Zooper answers questions about life's ordinary puzzles, such as why homework disappears or how a song gets stuck in one's head, by identifying and describing different kinds of Mischievians.

My Thoughts

I very much like the idea of Mischievians running amok and badgering our daily lives in playful, mildly wicked ways.

Science verse

Scieszka, Jon.

From the Publisher

When the teacher tells his class that they can hear the poetry of science in everything, a student is struck with a curse and begins hearing nothing but science verses that sound very much like some well-known poems.

My Thoughts

There are some big ideas at play in this book, with a fun, light touch. The accompanying audio CD complements the book perfectly.

The complete adventures of Curious George

Rey, Margret.

From the Publisher

The adventures of the ingenious little monkey who left the jungle to live with the man in the yellow hat.

My Thoughts

The origianl H.A. Rey stories of Curious George are REALLY long, each book seeming to contain about three individual, somewhat related stories. Now imagine seven such books collected in one volume.That said, they are great fun. I still remember the loving look my wife gave me when I brought this home.

The little red lighthouse and the great gray bridge

Swift, Hildegarde Hoyt.

From the Publisher

A little lighthouse on the Hudson River regains its pride when it finds out that it is still useful and has an important job to do.

My Thoughts

Though an older book, I only just stumbled across this one recently, when I noticed the name on the cover of Lynd Ward, of whom I am a big fan and whose wordless books are considered to have influence the development of the graphic novel.