One of the very few things I am not minimal with when it comes to material possessions are books. We have two full-sized bookshelves in our home and both are brimming with books! Over the last three+ years as we have built our children’s book collection through gifts, thrift stores, PaperPie (formerly known as Usborne) parties, and more, we have naturally found some very favorite picture books amongst our collection — some that I want to keep for future children and grandchildren, even.
Without further introduction, here is a list of some of our family’s favorite picture books!
Mr. Putter & Tabby Series
By Cynthia Rylant
This series of books are so sweet and comical! We love to laugh at Mr. Putter and Tabby’s antics as they go about life, and the illustrations are so charming! I have loved everything I’ve ever read by Cynthia Rylant.
The Children of the King
By Max Lucado
This book is so touching. I love the allegory for God’s love and grace towards His children and just wanting our hearts. The illustrations are really quaint and the story has so much depth.
Allegro
By David Miles
This is a newer one to our collection but we all instantly loved it! Even my very busy little guy stops to listen when I read this one. The classical music infused into this story is captivating, and the determination, and love for music the story teaches, are inspiring.
The Sound of my Heart
By Emily Bannister, via PaperPie (Usborne)
This has been one of our favorites since my oldest was a small baby. It brought tears to my eyes the first time I read it to her and continues to be a favorite for us, as it beautifully captures a mother’s love and care for her children.
Extraordinary!
By Penny Harrison & Katie Wilson, via PaperPie (Usborne)
Another Usborne title! I’ll be honest, this is one I’ll choose to read to the kids if I get to choose the book because this book inspires me! It’s all about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, everyday, little things in life. The illustrations are also beautiful and vibrant.
Little Chick
By Suzanne Fossey
This is such a fun book, with a science lesson woven throughout as it teaches the life cycle of a bluebird! Very fun for Springtime, especially. It’s a really cute read.
The “That’s not my…” Series
By PaperPie (Usborne)
These are a popular Usborne series for a reason! My kids have especially loved them at 1-2 years old; the different textures on each page are intriguing. And finding the little mouse on each page is fun, too!
The “Katie” Series
By James Mayhew
I first discovered the Katie series while perusing the shelves at our local library. My daughter has really enjoyed the interesting storylines, and I have loved the introduction to art and culture they’ve provided.
Dino Block
By Christopher Franceschelli
This is the cutest chunky board book we found at a local thrift store! It shares several different kinds of dinosaurs (along with their name pronunciations) and compares each one to a current living species.
Owl at Home
By Arnold Lobel
This book was recommended by my friend, Hannah, who blogs at Just Bee Blog. The first time I read it aloud to my daughter, I could hardly read because I was laughing so hard at Owl and his comical circumstances! This book is a treasure and one I know we’ll hold onto for many years to come.
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin
By Lloyd Moss
This is such a fun, engaging story centering on an orchestra! I love the way it rhymes, and that it teaches children about various instruments and other orchestral knowledge.
found
By Sally Lloyd-Jones
This book is based on Psalm 23 and is written by the same author who wrote The Jesus Storybook Bible.The illustrations are very sweet and it’s a great way to teach about God’s love for us as our Good Shepherd.
The “Look Inside”, “Peek Inside”, and “Very First Questions and Answers” Series
By PaperPie (Usborne)
Another Usborne series (well, actually three: Peek Inside, Look Inside, and Very First Questions and Answers)… these are read pretty constantly around our home! I have a very precocious bookworm who prefers a lot of nonfiction, and these books absolutely fascinate her! She has often been overheard “reading” some of these to herself, as she has memorized them from being read from them so often!
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
By Beatrix Potter
Could a favorite picture books list possibly be complete without some priceless Beatrix Potter? We love Potter’s works. Her artwork is the just so tender, and her stories are very wholesome!
If Animals Kissed Good Night
By Ann Whitford Paul
This is another sweet read. It’s all about the love between parents and children, and it makes a great bedtime book, especially for very little ones.
Animally, Americanly, and Once Upon a Timely
By PaperPie (Usborne)
We have a couple others in this series, Americanly and Once Upon a Timely, and all three are really clever! Another rhyming series, with such a variety of different characters/animals/U.S.A. facts. Definitely recommend adding these to your home library!
Go to Sleep, Little Farm
By Mary Lyn Ray
This is another wonderful bedtime book. We love how gentle this book is, and it often reminds me to slow down and take in the simple things in life… if I can teach my kids how to do so sooner in life, I would love that. This book helps to do just that!
Ten in the Bed
By Gill Guile
My kids have both loved this book! It’s based on the “Ten in the Bed” nursery rhyme, and the differently shaped pages and cute critters really capture their attention! It’s sweet and simple and a super cute book.
The BIG Blue Book of Beginner Books
By P.D. Eastman, Robert Lopshire, Mike McClintock, & Marilyn Sadler
This is lovingly called, “The Zoo Dog Book” around here, as my oldest started calling the creature in Put Me in the Zoo, Zoo Dog” from a very young age. I cannot tell you how many times she has requested to be read to from this little collection of stories, but it’s safe to say that we are a Dr. Seuss/P.D. Eastman-loving household!
Miss Rumphius
By Barbara Cooney
Oh, Miss Rumphius. Another one of Mama’s favorites! But my daughter loves it, too. It’s charming and magical and the moral of the story is really inspiring. I loooove the illustrations, too!
I could have included so many more titles in this post! Perhaps I’ll have to post a part two one day.
Until then, I hope this post has given you many new books to check out for your littles!
Let me know some of your family’s favorites in the comments below!
Simply At Home 