Staff Picks Category: Picture books

Beautiful Oops! [Book]

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This book demonstrates the many ways that torn, crinkled, and smudged bits of paper can be transformed into various shapes and images.

Sophie’s Masterpiece [Book]

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Sophie is a very artistic spider who is finally able to create her pièce de résistance as she reaches old age.

Miss Rumphius [Book]

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As a child Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world more beautiful–and she does all those things, the last being the most difficult of all.

A Story for Bear by Dennis Haseley [Book]

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A young bear who is fascinated by the mysterious marks he sees on paper finds a friend when a kind woman reads to him.

The Sneetches: and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss [Book]

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The Star-Bellied Sneetches have bellies with Stars, but the Plain-Bellied Sneetches have none upon thars! Rivalries rocket when Sylvester McMonkey McBean steps in to prey on their prejudices, but in the end we realize that prejudice is nothing more than a ridiculous waste of time.

Farm by Elisha Cooper [Book]

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There is so much to look at and learn about on a farm – animals, tractors, crops, and barns. And children feeding animals for morning chores! With lyrical writing and beautiful illustrations that capture the rhythms of the changing seasons, Elisha Cooper brings the farm to life.

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban. Pictures by Lillian Hoban. [Book]

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When I heard that the author of Bread and Jam for Frances had died, however, I wanted to share this book from my childhood. Bread and Jam for Frances tells the story of a young child (who happens to be a badger) who loves bread and jam and doesn’t want to eat anything else. With memorable characters, and great illustrations, I the Frances books will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

(Interestingly, the Wikipedia page on Russell Hoban reveals that he wrote books for adults as well. I didn’t know that! Forbes Library has one of them, Riddley Walker, and many more are available through interlibrary loan!)