My Favorite Childhood Picture Books

Today I’m going to share with you some of my favorite books from my childhood. Both of my parents were huge influences on my love of reading. My dad read to me and my siblings all the time in the evenings, a mother is a huge reader herself. She read chapter books aloud to us, or read them at the same time as us, so we could discuss them. The books below are all picture books that I remember being read to me over and over and over again, as I’d often request them. Hopefully this will help you remember some of the wonderful books from your past as well! (Post contains affiliate links.)

Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambaut

This is one of the first books I think of when I think of picture books from my childhood. All the nonsensical words and the wonderful rhythm makes this book a wonderful read, for any age really. 🙂

Harvest Mice by Beverly Randall

This one is adorable, and maybe set off an obsession of mine with all things mouse related. (I’ve got a collection of adorable mice – not real, of course.) There is a sad page about harvest mice getting eaten though, so if you’re reading this to a child, maybe tear that page out first?

Farmer Patrick Pig by Richard Scarry

This is the first book I remember reading all the way through by myself. Of course I’d heard the story before, but it was still a magical moment. I read the book to my mom, making only a few mistakes, and my five year old self decided to cement the book in her head as the first she ever read. (All of Richard Scarry’s books are awesome. I mean, Lowly Worm? A pickle car? They’re all awesome and inventive.)

Little Critter These Are My Pets by Mercer Mayer

I loved all Little Critter books (we owned most of them), but I think this one was my favorite. He has a spider and a dog and a frog and they were all so fun to point out on the page as a child.

A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer and P.D. Eastman

This story is about Otto the fish, who got fed to much and kept growing and growing and growing. He outgrows his fishbowl and then the bathtub… and so on.

Disney Babies

I don’t remember which book specifically it was that I read over and over again, but it was definitely one in this series.

But No Elephants by Jerry Smath

This is a wonderful book about a woman who takes all sorts of animals in… but won’t take elephants.

Dinner at the Panda Palace by Stephanie Calmenson

This one’s good for those who are learning to count! It was even recommended in my teaching math class in college. In this book a panda works to seat and feed groups of animals in his restaurant.

Dragon in a Wagon by Jane Moncure

This book is about a dragon in a wagon… need I say more? This is one my parents lament reading to me repeatedly. 🙂

Mary Wore Her Red Dress by Merle Peek

I’m fairly sure this was perpetually checked out (by me) at our local library. It’s got colors and a catchy rhyme. What’s not to love?

Go Dog Go by P. D. Eastman

I love this book too! Where are the dogs going? They’re all on their way to an important destination, and with such fun colors and shapes and sizes too!

Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse by Leo Lionni