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Just reading through this list and seeing all those wonderful, familiar book covers made me feel all warm and wistful inside. But I also particularly enjoyed the recommendations from 2010 on, when my own children were past the picture book stage.
I hope you find something here you love.
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1 day ago
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I'm a picture book enthusiast. I collect them. I founded a nonprofit in Oklahoma that gives books to underserved populations of all ages and I read to groups on a regular basis. I love that Bark, George is included on this list because it is one of my favorite read alouds. I have a large dog puppet that I bring out when I read it. I also love The Story of Ferdinand, Stellaluna and so many others on this list. I also think there are fabulous picture books being written today.
Oh! “Big Red Lollipop!!” How wonderful! My family just discovered that one in the last 3 months, when I grabbed it in a big pile of picture books selected at random in a library visit; I’d decided to try to squeeze every drop out of the last bit of picture books reading time with/ reading to my youngest since she is learning to read on her own. It’s about experiences as siblings when the younger wants to do what the older is invited to do. At random, about two weeks ago, my nine year old was upset about something the eleven year old had been invited to, and the five year old was joining in…. When my sixteen year old threw out, “I think this is a Big Red Lollipop situation!” And I gave thanks that somehow all six kids get little tastes of picture books when they help with or listen to bedtime reading for The Youngest [intentionally capitalized as one would The Queen]. So often raising children is challenging and it was a momentary bright flare of joy at teaching kids to love reading and connect across ages thanks to a book teaching life lessons. Thank God for books!!
If you are ever in Kansas City go to The Rabbit Hole! It is many of these books in life size hands on exhibits - It’s amazing!
One thing that really irks me is when Internet People gripe that "There are no more good picture books being written" These are people who have never read "Mr Watson's Chickens", Kevin Henke's Seasons books, "Little Witch Hazel," or Karma Wilson's Bear books. Thanks for sharing this. Putting some of these on hold at the library now (Both old AND new ones). Also, on one episode of the podcast you recommended the audiobook versions of the Frog and Toad books read by Arnold Lobel. I borrowed it from the library before a long car trip this past summer in which we would have our two year old and our 11 year old niece. We now own it on a Yoto card and the toddler insists on listening to it every single night. It's the one thing that reliably gets her to sleep. If she wakes up and has trouble settling she asks for "Tog and froad" and it usually helps. And true to your experience, certain phrases from the books are becoming part of our family lexicon, especially Frog's sympathetic but a little annoyed "Yes. Tomorrow will be a very hard day for you" which my wife and I use whenever one of us feels particularly whiny about the things we have to do.
So here is one wall of my children’s library, which is in the third bedroom in my house. My “kids” are 32 and 28. I’m a former teacher and I now run a book nonprofit. I read to kid groups all the time. I love picture books and I have a Narnia type wardrobe in my garage that is full of picture books. In line with this article, I did a summer camp session this past summer where the theme was “decades”. I went through the past 100 years and selected picture books from each decade to read aloud and to share. I read to a group of young adults with developmental disabilities once per month and they loved the decades theme and the books. I also love the increase in nonfiction picture books over the last couple of decades. I just did a theme about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where the Ferris Wheel was introduced and there’s a great picture book titled Mr. Ferris and his Wheel that I used. Picture books can be great introductions to a topic. I learn a lot from reading them and looking at the illustrations. I sometimes do a picture book “random read” where I go into a library and select 5-10 picture books and sit down right there and read them.
We (our youngest is twelve) had nearly every book on that list through 1975 and then after that just 1985’s “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”. We got surprised by a few occasions of content we found objectionable in newer books, so decided to just stick with older titles, which we knew were safe. Our kids weren’t in the picture book phase for too long, so it wasn’t really a limitation—we still had many for them. I’ve no doubt there are great titles we missed, but applying a publication date rule was a simple (and lazy) way for us to screen quickly at library and garage sales.
I'm going to have such a hard time letting go of picture books!
Kathryn Russell some good ones here!!
That's actually a decent list! This made me really happy to see!
Today's Hastings Observer. Because it's October 14.
www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-sussex/east-sussex/hastings-and-rye ... See MoreSee Less
2 days ago
My dad clipped this from the paper and glued it to his jewelry box .
Recently mapped my direct paternal line and found out my surname very likely arrived in England due to the Norman's victory over Harold.
YES!! im stealing this
My distant ancestor was William the Conqueror's household manager. So this time period of English history always fascinates me.
Something similar popped up in my FB memories because I had posted about this anniversary last year.
Good thing they got the announcement in by the 5pm deadline.
Terri Hastings
Katrina Eroa 😂
Kelly
Below, you'll find a somewhat truncated version of this morning's email from the American Historical Association, of which I'm a member.
The truncated bit is at the end, where the AHA makes very clear exactly how the Association would like you to weigh in. I know that my readers here are spread across the political spectrum, so I've cut that part. You can formulate your own thoughts. But I'd encourage you to make your voice heard.
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Action Alert: Submit Comments on Proposed Patriotic Education Funding Priority
On September 17, 2025, the US Department of Education announced plans to prioritize patriotic education in its discretionary grant programs, initiating a mandatory 30-day public comment period. The American Historical Association (AHA), National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), and Organization of American Historians (OAH) jointly encourage our members and other supporters of a full account of history to submit comments to the federal register by October 17, 2025.
Background
On September 17, the US Department of Education proposed a patriotic education funding priority in the Federal Register, inviting members of the public to comment and provide specific feedback to shape implementation of this program. The proposal’s definition of patriotic education emphasizes “the role of faith” and “the influence of Western Civilization, including ancient Greece, Rome, and Judeo-Christianity,” on the “first principles” of American government, promising a “unifying, inspiring, and ennobling characterization of the American founding and foundational principles.” Within hours, the department also announced a partnership with the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, and more than 40 other ideologically aligned organizations for an America 250 Civics Education Coalition.
How You Can Help
Earlier this year, the AHA and the OAH outlined in a statement, endorsed by the NCSS, the damaging effects such a “narrow conception of patriotism and patriotic education” would have on US history education. We encourage members of our organizations and other supporters of public education to submit public comments by October 17, 2025. This is our opportunity to help the Department of Education refine its understanding of what constitutes “an accurate and honest account of American history.”
To submit a public comment:
You may comment on this issue as an individual, on behalf of an organization, or anonymously, and submissions may be entered using a text box (limit 5,000 characters) or by uploading an attachment by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 17, 2025.
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Here's the link:
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www.federalregister.gov
The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or...3 days ago
My background: I came to classical education later in life (thanks to finding The Well-Educated Mind), and I have strong feelings about the need for education to return to classical roots. I enrolled my youngest son in a classical Christian school even though I am not religious, and according to one silly online quiz I am even more politically to the left than my college-aged children. We had to sign a pledge/mission statement for the school to enroll him. My wife, who is a Christian, signed it, even though the garbage in the document bothered her even more than it did me. We felt like we had no choice. Public school was a disaster, and there were no secular (or at least non-partisan) classical options in our area. My Opinion: To put it succinctly, I think that classical education reform has been hijacked by people unfit to lead the effort (or any other effort). I have been enjoying my personal journey in classical education so much, and I see its value. I’m taking a break from my morning study time right now to write this. I’m working through The Hebrew Bible. Yes, this atheist wakes up early every morning to read The Bible. I can see that theology was missing from my own childhood education, along with history and the great books (although I read a lot on my own). So yes, there is something missing in modern education that shows the sweeping story of how modern times came about in the west, and yes, America’s unique position in it. But, I don’t think the people spearheading the reform now care much about that. It seems more like trying to notch win marks in their belt in the culture war than pursuing real education. I’ve noticed two broad groups in classical education since I became involved. One is incredibly educated, and the other is simply drawn to the idea of teaching a religious text in the classroom because they feel disillusioned with pluralism in modern life. I think one group is healthy, and one is not. I think the second group is the monkey on the back of the classical education movement, and indeed the United States for the moment.
If one were truly non-bias, one would resist the subtly emotive language used in this, such as "the *damaging* effects" and "This is our opportunity to help the Department of Education refine its understanding definition of patriotic education", after that definition has already been declared to be one of "narrow conception". Any University-trained student of history has no doubt already been hammered into repeating the mantra that any "narrow" view is inherently evil, so the choice of the word "narrow" to this specific audience of people is deliberate, albeit not easily obvious, manipulation. If one is, in fact, not unbiased, but actually left-leaning, please just be open about it💛🙏
Thank you so much for sharing this. I am absolutely appalled and alarmed at this proposal, and have submitted a comment at the linked site.
What’s the problem with learning the foundation of our great nation?
Jamila Cazadora Thank you for sharing this information Susan!
The Federal government shouldn’t be interfering in (which includes funding) public education anyhow… it’s the responsibility of the states. The Feds can’t politicize it every change in Executive administration, if they aren’t involved to start with.