Every little one should feel the wonder of being alive & being a child. These books are still in print because they’re the sweetest stories with the liveliest illustrations. Start with Marjorie Flack’s Ask Mr. Bear and watch your littles giggle with delight. These vintage picture books remind kids (and grownups!) that it is okay to make mistakes, to be different, and that it’s wonderful to be silly, lovely to play with friends, and that everyone makes mistakes. Fill your little one’s cup and yours’ too!
1970s
Arrow to the Sun by Gerald Mcdermott 1975 Caldecott Winner (There’s a movie here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Rq6yK5gYQ
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber 1972
George and Martha The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshall 1972-1988Link NY TIMES Article https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/books/george-and-martha-james-marshall.html
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig 1970 Caldecott Winner
1960s
Hide and Seek Fog by Alvin Tresselt and illustrations by Roger Duvoisin is a Caldecott Honor book 1965
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber 1965
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 1964
Caldecott Winner Swimmy by Leo Lionny Caldecott Winner 1963
The Snowy Day Ezra Jack Keats Caldecott Winner 1962
A Fish our of Water by Helen Palmer Geisel and illustrated by P. D. Eastman 1961
1950s
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion and illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham 1956
Harold’s Purple Crayon 1955 by Crockett Johnson
The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin 1954
One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey 1953
I Can Fly by Mary Blair 1950
Petunia by Roger Duvoisin 1950
1940s
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey 1949
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown 1947
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown 1942
Make Way for Duckling by Robert McCloskey 1942
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 1940
1930s
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack 1939
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans 1939
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson 1936
The Story About Ping Marjorie Flack and illustrated by Kurt Wiese 1933
Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack 1932
