One of the best parts of being a new grandparent is getting to read children’s books again. For me, it means revisiting those special books I remember reading to my children, and helping to create favorites for the next generation. With just a few months as “Gaga” under my belt, here are a few classics that keep on giving and some new books that have already found their way into our hearts.
Old favorites that still bring joy
‘Go, Dog. Go!,’ written and illustrated by P.D. Eastman
All the characters in this world are dogs doing people things, and every one of them is different. Some dogs are under the sun where it is hot and some are down in the water. Some are big and some are red. Some dogs drive fast. Simple words and primary colors make each page comprehensible even as they offer more sophisticated concepts like prepositions, imperatives and opposites. This book has influenced our family lexicon, with classic lines like “Do you like my hat?” and “A dog party!” My parents read it to me as a toddler and said I loved it so much I memorized it. My kids were equally enamored, and as grandparents, we still haven’t tired of reading it. Ages 1-4. (Random House Books for Young Readers)
‘Caps for Sale,’ written and illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina
Sharing a soft spot for monkey business, our family has always loved this tale of mischievous primates tormenting a sleepy cap peddler. Walking through town with all his wares carefully stacked by color atop his head is tiring work, but when the peddler stops for a nap, a tree full of monkeys thwarts his sales plan. Slobodkina, a Russian-born 20th-century artist, used her collaging skills to create the memorable illustrations, and the repetitive dialogue includes fist shaking and foot stomping, encouraging kids — and adults — to play along. Ages 2-5. (HarperColllins)
‘The Sneetches and Other Stories,’ written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
It’s hard to overstate the impact this story has had on our family, and its relevance has only grown as our children became adults. Some of the beach-dwelling Sneetches have plain bellies, and others have stars “upon thars,” which makes them act superior. When the “Fix-it-Up Chappie” named Sylvester McMonkey McBean arrives one day with a special machine, the downtrodden Sneetches shell out big bucks to have stars added to their bellies. But then the OG star-Sneetches pay even more to have their stars removed, and an escalating prestige war ensues. The primary beneficiary ends up being Mr. McBean, who drives off with all the Sneetches’ money, teaching them an expensive lesson about the value of recognizing they are all equal. Here’s hoping the book’s prescient wisdom enlightens generations to come. Ages 3 and up. (Random House Books for Young Readers)
New-to-us discoveries we love
‘Your Forest,’ written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
In “Your Forest,” part of the Your Places series designed as a trio of board books for the youngest readers, Klassen’s spare illustrations allow readers to see the world as a place of their own. Trees, rocks, streams and more, all drawn with big eyes that make nature feel more intimate, are introduced, then situated within a forest where it is approaching nighttime, when all things will sleep. Other locales in the series include a farm and an island, but our favorite has been the forest for its casual appearance of a Forest Ghost. “He is nice.” Ages 0-3. (Candlewick)
‘This Is a Book of Shapes,’ written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel
Although this book masquerades as a simple introduction to shapes, the playful emu on the cover hints at the improbable delights to come. Circles, squares and triangles give way to a wheelbarrow full of pancakes and a skateboarding rhinoceros. Deadpan delivery, including a pineapple that breaks the third wall, showcases animals taking part in absurd amusements, and finally playing together on a beach featuring all the shapes we have learned about. Ages 0-3. (Candlewick)
‘Dropbear,’ written and illustrated by Philip Bunting
A koala named Dropbear lives in an old gum tree in the Australian Outback, near fearful woodland creatures who take turns sharing stories about how mean he is, how he smells like cabbage and how he will pounce at the slightest provocation. But a little bird doubts these tall tales and decides to investigate for herself, learning the real story about what Dropbear wants. For such a compact tale, this fun rhyming storybook contains a surprising amount of suspense while offering a lesson in how things aren’t always what they seem. Ages 2-5. (Charlesbridge)
‘The Trouble With Giraffes,’ written by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
Having a friend who is different can be a challenge, like when your best buddy is a pet giraffe, and your human legs can’t keep up on walks. But friends are friends no matter what, so when your pet giraffe can’t make it up the ladder and into your clubhouse, the solution might take the entire club in a new direction. In this second book in the Pet Club series that began with “Strictly No Elephants,” Mantchev’s narrator and her diverse group of friends learn that thinking about the needs of others can bring joy to everyone. Ages 3-6. (Paula Wiseman Books)
‘King Baby,’ written and illustrated by Kate Beaton
King Baby is a generous but demanding ruler. He offers his adorableness to all who come near, yet in private, his escalating demands — “FEED ME! BOUNCE ME! CARRY ME!” — threaten to exhaust his loyal subjects, er, parents. His domain expands as he learns to crawl, walk and talk, until the day comes when he becomes a big boy, inadvertently leaving an opening atop the royal power structure. Beaton, a Canadian cartoonist popular with both adults and children, showcases a colorful, baby-centric worldview that is also relatable for harried new parents. Ages 1-4. (Arthur A. Levine)
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