Picture Book Day, also known as International Children’s Book Day, is celebrated worldwide on April 2nd. It started in 1967 as a way to promote children's literature and encourage reading. It is celebrated on the birthday of Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, who was known for his fairy tales.
In honor of the day, I asked the FPL Staff to tell me a little bit about their favorite picture books. Here's what they said:
"My favorite picture book by far was Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. The photos in the Zimbabwean folk tale always captivated me, and I was astonished when I found out that John Steptoe's daughter posed for him in Central Park to capture the images. For my little brain, the choice of characters did a great job of representing the dangers of greed and selfishness, and the virtues of kindness." - Assata
"I love the way the story helps the young child participate in the story by guessing the next color of Pete's shoes. The ending is funny. There is a recorded song that goes with this book that's easy for kids to sing and it reflects Pete 's cool vibe." - Julie
Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World
"It’s one of those books that I can pick up anytime and still find something new to smile about. The stories take me all over the world, from Paris to Cairo to Tokyo, and each one is filled with the kind of playful humor and charm that only Richard Scarry can create. But what I love most is the feeling of pure joy this book gives me. It’s funny, whimsical, and bursting with adventure. Whether I’m revisiting it for nostalgia or sharing it with someone new, Busy, Busy World always makes me feel like a kid again, ready to explore the world with a big imagination." - Charlie
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
This was the favorite book of two of our staff! Diane said, "I remember liking the book because it goes from magical, to scary, to so sad, but then the ending is very happy and joyous. I also liked the art and the characters' expressions.", and Sheri said, "I'm not sure why this was a favorite other than I loved the story. I was drawn in by poor Sylvester's plight and the joy in the resolution."
"My daughter loved Good Night Gorilla. It's a mostly wordless picture book- so you can embellish it as much as you'd like. We would talk about what was happening on each page and we had silly voices for all the animals, etc. Anyway- we loved this one for it's brightly colored illustrations, funny antics, and sweet ending." - Jen
"I laughed so hard reading this book. When we were in the old building, we used to get carts of new picture books before they went out on the floor, so we could look at them, and this title was on one of the carts. I loved it and remember showing it to Diane!" - Suzanne
"I have such fond memories of reading "The Pigeon Needs a Bath!" to my daughter. She loved it so much that she memorized it, and she'd read it out loud to my husband and me with so much gusto! Mo Willems is a national treasure." - Michelle
"Great for reading aloud with a rhythmic flow. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and add to the story with easter eggs that even adults will appreciate. The story itself is fun and shows how curiosity can open up the world around you. I also like that it introduces what it means to be a scientist in an engaging way for children." - Amy
"Jillian Tamaki is one of my favorite illustrators and a fantastic writer. They Say Blue is beautiful, thoughtful, and nostalgic." - Libby
Try one of the following ideas to celebrate Picture Book Day:
- Visit the library and find a new picture book to check out (or an old favorite!).
- Make a bookmark to use in your favorite book.
- Read a story by Hans Christian Andersen, such as "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", or "The Emperor's New Clothes".
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