I am scheduled to appear on Good Morning America tomorrow (Wed., Oct. 3), at about 8:30 a.m. E.D.T., to talk about my new kids’ book, The Boy With Two Belly Buttons.
I have no delusions about my chances of success as a children’s author. (They are slim.) Nor do I have any delusions about why I, a first-time kids’-book author, have this fantastic opportunity to go on TV to talk about my book. (It is because of Freakonomics.) But just because I am not deluded does not mean I am also not grateful — which I am, very much so, both for the success of Freakonomics and for the GMA opportunity.
I grew up in a house where reading was beloved, but where children’s picture books were scarce. So I fell in love with them as an adult, reading them to my own kids over the past few years. To me, reading a good picture book is every bit as satisfying as reading a great novel; I constantly marvel at the craft, creativity, and especially the subversiveness of the best picture books. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Empty Pot, by Demi. Extraordinary illustrations, and a great parable about humility and honesty.
Although I’ve never read Shrek, I love a lot of William Steig‘s books. There is a lot more text than in most picture books, and it’s far weirder. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is pretty great, but I prefer the similar and slightly less-good Solomon the Rusty Nail, since my own son’s name is Solomon. I also love Spinky Sulks.
May I Bring a Friend?, by Beatrice de Regniers, and illustrated by Beni Montresor. A deserved classic, sweet and wry; and I am partial to rhyme.
The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson, and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Like I said, I am partial to rhyme. The Gruffalo is by far my kids’ favorite book to shout out the rhymes as we read — and isn’t that really what it’s all about?
I am interested to know your favorite children’s books, and why. I am always on the lookout for new books for the kidlets, so I will send a signed copy of The Boy With Two Belly Buttons to the five commenters who write in with the best-sounding suggestions.
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I don’t know if they are published here in the US or not, since I got them in England:
“Princess Smartypants” and “Prince Cinders,” by Babette Cole. They are nontraditional versions of fairy tales, but they are funny and not heavy handed. You have to like a hero whose coat of arms reads “Courage In Tesco,” or a princess who comes into the throne room with mucky boots and a pitchfork.
We also love “The Gruffalo.” Anyone for scrambled snake?
I don’t know if they are published here in the US or not, since I got them in England:
“Princess Smartypants” and “Prince Cinders,” by Babette Cole. They are nontraditional versions of fairy tales, but they are funny and not heavy handed. You have to like a hero whose coat of arms reads “Courage In Tesco,” or a princess who comes into the throne room with mucky boots and a pitchfork.
We also love “The Gruffalo.” Anyone for scrambled snake?
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Great lessons about people who are different than you, boredom (getting stuck in the doldrums) and just a fun way to look at words and numbers. Plus, any story that starts out with a mystery package and a life size car in one’s bedroom is a great kid story. I actually still read it now and then.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Great lessons about people who are different than you, boredom (getting stuck in the doldrums) and just a fun way to look at words and numbers. Plus, any story that starts out with a mystery package and a life size car in one’s bedroom is a great kid story. I actually still read it now and then.
My all time favorite is Where the Wild Things Are. It was an old book even when I was a kid, but I still love the pictures and the story!
My all time favorite is Where the Wild Things Are. It was an old book even when I was a kid, but I still love the pictures and the story!
“The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit” is great. Mole gets pooped on his head and goes to find out who did it. Every animal he confronts shows him what their poop looks like by pooping on the spot. Really demystifies the subject for kids.
“The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit” is great. Mole gets pooped on his head and goes to find out who did it. Every animal he confronts shows him what their poop looks like by pooping on the spot. Really demystifies the subject for kids.