Ambre's 41st Birthday Book List
A Birthday Treasury: 100 Cherished Picture Books
Welcome to my annual birthday booklist! Every year, I celebrate by curating a collection of my favorite books around a different theme. This year, for the first time, I've chosen to focus on picture books. While some of these beautiful stories are cherished favorites from my childhood, most are wonderful discoveries I've made as an adult. This collection includes a diverse mix of historical tales, books on emotional intelligence, humorous stories, beautiful artwork, and magical adventures. I hope you find a new books to love and that, on a whole, these titles bring you as much joy and inspiration as they have brought me. Enjoy!
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The Magical Drawings of Moony B. Finch by David McPhail
This is the first picture book I ever loved. And I love it yet.
I Touch by Rachel Isadora
This is the first book each of my babies has loved. It’s also taught them the concept of “hot” for beverages. I also have not met a picture book by Rachel Isadora I have not loved.
Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell
My favorite book ever on being friends with someone walking with grief.
White Marble by Charlotte Zolotow (original illustrations only!)
I could hear, taste, and smell my childhood while reading this.
Gory Rory Fangface Needs A Kiss by Ziggy Hanaor and Ollie Silvester
This book is hysterical and perfectly encapsulates my relationship with my son when he was eight.
Small Things by Mel Tregonning
A graphic novel style picture book on anxiety with a positive sibling relationship.
Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story
Historical, humorous, fun illustrations- and there are pigs.
Miss Jaster’s Garden by N.M. Bodecker
Humor, a small hedgehog, and a near sighted elderly lady.
Yellow and Pink by William Steig
Life positive and finally back in print!
Escargot by Dashka Slater
A humorous French snail. Absolutely delightful! A great series!
Is This… Easter? by Helen Yoon
Humor, holidays, great illustrative storytelling. I absolutely loved this one. It’s smart.
Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox by Susan Blackaby
A quick-witted groundhog and a gullible fox.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
This book has my eternal gratitude for helping a couple of my kids process through our house fire.
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackhall
Old stories, passing time, pretty pages with a lot to see.
The Tree on the Road to Turntown by Glenn O. Blough
I really wish this book wasn’t a unicorn. I’d gift to every graduate if I could.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
9/11, Massai, the interconnectedness of humanity.
Being Edie is Hard Today by Ben Brashares and Elizabeth Bergeland
I can feel both sides of this story- the mother’s and the daughter’s.
Aiden Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Truth vs true. A good book for black and white thinkers who can tend to be judgemental.
Love Made Me More by Colleen Rowan Kosinski
Origami, boyhood to fatherhood, a love story.
Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved
Loss, death, positive sibling relationship.
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
Adult stages of grief, powerful stuff.
You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love and Satomi Ichikawa
A favorite poem we raised our babies on.
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
Probably the first book to make me cry. A Civil War friendship story.
A Father Like That by Charlotte Zolotow
For kids who are missing a parent and resolving to become what they needed.
A House Is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman
Great illustrations for a fun rhyming story.
A Map Into The World by Kao Kalia Yang and Seo Kim
Death and dying, returning people to community, Asian-American family
A Treasury of Wintertime Tales: 13 Tales from Snow Days to Holidays
A luscious collection of vintage children’s picture books.
They Didn’t Use Their Heads by Jo Ann Stover
A childhood favorite of “if this then that” scenarios.
If Everybody Did by Jo Ann Stover
A childhood favorite that shows the consequences of choices on a large scale.
A Rose, a Bridge, and a Wild Black Horse: The Classic Picture Book, Reimagined by Charlotte Zolotow
I usually don’t like it when Charlotte’s books are re-done with new illustrators. This is one that’s actually so much better!
Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
This book is on the creation of the color shocking pink for dye. One of my favorite colors!
The Haunted Lake by P. J. Lynch
I usually don’t like creepy stories, but this one makes my skin crawl just the right amount. It’s a romance too, so what’s not to love‽
A Bowl Full of Peace by Caren Stelson and Akira Kusaka
One of the most moving picture book true stories I’ve read with a powerful call to peace.
I See You: A Story for Kids About Homelessness and Being Unhoused
I love that picture books are so poignantly taking on important issues such as homelessness.
Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran and Barbara Cooney
This was a favorite as a kid with a childhood spent building entire cities on the wooded lot behind our house.
What’s Up, Maloo! by Geneviève Godbout
As someone who frequently runs out of energy, and with kids who do the same, we see a kindred spirit in Maloo.
Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear
A sweet sister story based on the childhood of Virginia Woolf and her struggles with depression.
Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli
A fun winter book for when the days get colder and colder with no end in sight. Delightful!
A Contrary Little Quail by Jane Thayer
A love a little bird with a big attitude and jealousy issues.
The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts by Trudy Ludwig
A strong reminder of how one person can have a powerful influence for positive or negative.
Brush of the Gods of Lenore Look and Meilo So
Incredible art which shouldn’t be surprising given it’s a picture book biography of Wu Daozi.
The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren
Almost a graphic novel. A good holocaust book for not yet strong readers.
Waltzing Matilda by Paterson and Digby
This book was sent to me by mistake and it was a fortunate mistake indeed! I love the illustrations and it’s a song I don’t mind having stuck in my head.
Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino
A great book for parents of kids with spd and for the kids who find the world overstimulating.
Jonathan and Martha by Petr Horáček
I’ll be real- this story is a violently disturbing romance but it makes me guffaw do to how unexpected it is.
On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole
For anyone with dreams of de-grassing their lawns.
Cross-Country Cat by Mary Calhoun
Every page I was left asking myself what in the world I was reading, but I couldn’t look away! I’m now a huge fan of the entire Henry series.
Apple Cake: A Recipe For Love by Julie Paschkis
An entire period romance in a single picture book. A great gift for an adult book lover in your life or a little girl looking for a sweet romance.
A Dress With Pockets by Lily Murray
How can one adventure properly without pockets?
Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin
A familial adoption/rehoming story set in the midwest. Touching and realistic.
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing. by Judi and Ron Barrett
This book is hysterical and I don’t tire of reading it.
Old Friends by Margaret Aitken
As a kid who always had close elderly friends this was a fun book to discover.
Dear Wild Child: You Carry Your Home Inside You by Wallace J. Nichols
A book that really touched me and spoke to me after our house fire.
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper
An event I’m angered that I didn’t learn in school told beautifully and accurately without trying to play on the emotions. You’ll feel the emotions, but not because it’s been manipulated out of you.
Life by Cynthia Rylant
The only picture book I’ve read that doesn’t beat around the bush but says that when you want to let go- don’t. Hold on.
Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel
Such a wonderful look at perspectives and how they affect our worldview.
Poultrygeist by Eric Geron
A ghostly comedy that’s full of slapstick humor.
The Empty Pot by Demi
A convicting tale of the value of truthfulness.
Melisande by E. Nesbit and P.J. Lynch
A fun fairy tale of ever growing hair illustrated by the wonderful Lynch. An amazing author/illustrator pairing.
Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest
As someone who has absolutely loved being pregnant and giving birth, this is a heartwarming story.
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
A beautiful wordless picture book for you or the little dancer in your life. A wonderful series.
Follow the Wind by Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin
One of my favorite duos with a beautiful science book.
Dandy by Ame Dyckman
Oh, the neighborhood dandelion wars! I love the father and daughter relationship.
Duckworth the Difficult Child by Michael Sussman
A macabre story that I really think was written for adults who were ever not believed as a child or who had out of touch parents. This one was such a weird and fun find.
The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown
A throwback to the elaborate burial ceremonies the neighborhood kids and I would put on for the dead animals we found. Such a healthy childhood experience.
I’m Terrific by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Such a terrific pride comes before the fall tale.
The Wren and the Sparrow by J. Patrick Lewis
A moving holocaust story of cultural preservation and courage in the face of great evil.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
A magical book that highlights how most mistakes are really just opportunities not rightly considered.
Hanna’s Cold Winter by Trish Marx
A powerful story of the power of community to accomplish important things during trying times.
Cat Talk by Patricia MacLachlan
A collection of humorous poems about a variety of cats- some with overlapping stories. This book was such a delightful surprise.
The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell
Community and togetherness- no one turned away!
Welcome Back Sun by Michael Emberley
When winter is too long and you’re just over it- read this book.
Almost Nothing, Yet Everything by Hiroshi Osada
A very serious and beautifully illustrated living science book… until the end where one line sent me into gales of laughter because I just wasn’t expecting it at all!
The Story of Ants by Dorothy Shuttlesworth
I was able to see the original illustrations to this book at our city’s art museum as part of a traveling exhibit of children’s book illustrations. It was the only book I ordered before I left. The detail is absolutely incredible!
Moon Pops by Heena Baek
This one sent me down the rabbit hole of watching interviews and behind the scenes footage of this author/illustrator’s process. What she creates is incredible!
Brave Irene by William Steig
As a mom with a chronic illness, I loved that representation in this book as well as Irene’s gutsiness.
Rissy No Kissies by Katey Howes
Personal boundaries are very important to me and I loved this little book for modeling respecting someone who says “please don’t kiss me”.
Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess
Cicada summer is one of my favorite childhood memories. I love those crazy fliers and I learned so much about them in this beautifully illustrated book.
Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett
Cinderella with fancy chickens. Need I say more?
Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville
So full of fun colors and delight. I really enjoyed this artist’s life story.
Petunia by Roger Duvoisin
I have loved Petunia my whole life. This series is humorous and shows natural consequences while keeping the audience in stitches.
The Hundred-Year Barn by Patricia MacLachlan and Kenard Pak
I love stories highlighting the passing of time and our inner-connectedness.
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant
Naming is so powerful and this book highlighted an aspect of it’s value I hadn’t considered before.
Changes, Changes by Pat Hutchins
A simple wordless picture book that has something for everyone despite its simplicity.
Drawn Together by Minh Lê
My grandparents were everything to me. I love this book and the grandfather’s efforts to connect with his grandson despite the language barrier.
Florette by Anna Walker
Pretty and magical. A story about moving and creating beauty where you’re planted.
Mr. Bear Squash-You-All-Flat by Morrell Gipson
Everyone can share in the rejoicing when the wicked get what they deserve. My boys have laughed so hard over this book and I’ve laughed from how contagious their delight is.
Proud as a Peacock Brave as a Lion by Jane Barclay
I absolutely love how much of the story the illustrations tell.
Something Better is Coming by Megan Saben
I usually don’t like children’s books that are biblically based because they aren’t. (Insert eyeroll here) This one is and it even made me think and moved me.
The Christmas We Moved to the Barn by Cooper Edens
I love women and their resilience. When given hours to rehome her family over the holiday she does so with grace and creativity and joy.
The Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith
I absolutely love this nature walk story about language preservation.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
This is one of my favorite Christmas books and I love the illustrations so much that we keep the board book out year round.
The Starkeeper by Faith Pray
I love Faith Pray’s illustrations and this little tale is equal parts powerful and beautiful.
The Story of A Farm by John S. Goodall
I love seeing a single space presented over centuries of time.
Thirty Minutes Over Oregon by Marc Tyler Nobleman
This book opened my eyes to how many stories we just don’t know about our own country especially during war times.
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
I love thunderstorms and loved the idea of a cake best made in a storm.
We Were Tired of Living in a House by Liesel Moak Skorpen and Doris Burn
I considered this book to be a blueprint to a perfect summer as a kid.
Who Owns the Sun by Stacy Chbosky
Such a powerful and simple story of the human spirit- and by one so young!
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
A classic! I became a fan of this author illustrator team at a young age and am so glad that some of their titles have stayed in print.
What Do You Do, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin
This is such a witty book (it’s actually a duo- find What Do You Say, Dear? too) but it has some content that is politically incorrect now. Honestly, Sendak was an envelope pusher in his own time, so…
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What a fantastic list. I feel like I have a pretty decent collection of picture books, but there were a lot of these I haven’t heard of or had forgotten about. Makes me want to go out and find them all 😆
This is a great list, but you're missing "Woo Hoo, You're Doing Great" by Sandra Boynton ;p