Nathaniel Lachenmeyer

I enjoy reading picture books almost as much as I enjoy writing them. The following is a list of some of my favorites:

Amos & Boris (and, of course, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble) by William Steig
Two of the best by one of the best.
Anansi and The Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Janet Stevens
My son and I laugh every time we read it.
Animals at Play by Marc Bekoff, illustrated by Michael J. DiMotta
Wonderful children's book about animal behavior; perfect for budding ethologists!

Are you a Horse? by Andy Rash

Thoroughly entertaining.
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
Fun!
Beach by Elisha Cooper
Does a great job of capturing summertime at the beach.
The Bear That Wasn't by Frank Tashli
Not exactly a picture book, but wonderful for kids and adults.
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
Charming story about self-expression.
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Felicia Bond
Great nighttime reading with young kids.
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
Learn how to write "Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters"!
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Kids will love to act like the monkeys.
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus, illustrated by Crocket Johnson
The Christmas Whale by Roger Duvoisin
Wonderful artist. Entertaining story from 1945. Somebody should reprint it!
Cowboy & Squid by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
You will never read a more heartwarming account of cowboy-squid friendship.
Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent, Huge Harold, and The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet
I couldn't decide which Bill Peet books to pick!
Dear Mr. Blueberry and The Birdwatchers by Simon James
Distant Feathers by Tim Egan
Funny, with an unexpected twist at the end that kids will love.
Don't Fidget a Feather by Erica Silverman, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
A funny freezing contest. There is an old folktale with a similar story; can't remember the name.
Don't Make Me Laugh (and The Worst Person in the World) by James Stevenson
Guaranteed to make kids laugh.
Dragon Tales by Dav Pilkey
My son loves the part where the walrus eats Dragon's friend.
Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail
Pirates, books, and David McPhail's wonderful art! Also, check out his autobiography.
The Funny Thing by Wanda Gag
Makes you hungry for jum-jills. Wonderful lithographs.
George and Martha by James Marshall
Great stories about great friends.
Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Edward Emberley
The greatest children's novelty book of all time?
Golem by David Wisniewski
A powerful picture book for older children, with an informative author's note.
Good Morning Sam by Marie-Louise Gay
Part of an endearing series of picture books about a sister and her toddler brother. Also, check out Roslyn Rutabaga and The Biggest Hole on Earth.
Grandma Summer by Harley Jessup.
Great for the beach and for grandparents and grandchildren.
Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood by Timothy Knapman, Illustrated by Gwen Millward
Fun story about a dragon that finds a boy.
The Gunniwolf by Wilhemina Harper, illustrated by Barbara Upton
Sweet illustrations are an effective counterpoint to a good, scary story.
Handel, Who Knew What He Liked by M. T. Anderson, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Playful, informative biography of the great composer.
Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
Wonderful, especially for younger kids.
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson
Harry on the Rocks and, of course, Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh
Read Harry on the Rocks to find out what a 'bizzard' is!

A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Betty Fraser

One of the best picture books of all time!
Humbug Rabbit by Lorna Balian
A fun Easter book with an interesting narrative style.
Imogene's Last Stand by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Original and entertaining. It will inspire kids to take an interest in history.
In the Forest and Play With Me by Marie Hall Ets
Magical books for young children.
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee
My favorite Jon Agee book. Nothing is a close second.
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
Great picture book about the importance of stuffed animals in children's lives.
It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach
One of my favorite folk tales.
Little Bear's Little Boat by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Sweet story about growing up.
Little Britches and the Rattlers by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
For cowgirls everywhere!
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
One of the best picture books of all time. A reminder of the medium's potential.
The Little Red Hen by Margot Zemach
My favorite version of this great folk tale.

Make Way For Ducklings and Lentil by Robert McCloskey.
The latter will turn kids into enthusiastic harmonica players.
Math Curse by John Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Max's Words by Kate Banks, illustrated by Boris Kulikov
Good book about language and storytelling.
Millie's Marvelous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura
Imaginative story about imagination, wonderful art.
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall
A fun picture book about school.
Mr. Gumpy's Outing and It's a Secret! by John Burningham
Wonderful, evocative art.
Monk Camps Out by Emily Arnold McCully

My Garden by Kevin Henkes.
My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books are Brought to Children Around the World by Margriet Ruurs
Good educational title that helps inspire appreciation of books and libraries.
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola
Very moving book about the loss of a grandparent.
Night Cat by Margaret Beames, illustrated by Sue Hitchcock
For cat lovers. Fun and scary, too!
Norman the Doorman and Hattie The Backstage Bat by Don Freeman
Good books to use to introduce kids to art and theater, respectively. Terrific illustrations.
Nutshell Collection by Maurice Sendak

Oh No, Not Ghosts by Richard Michelson, Illustrated by Adam McCauley

Perfect for Halloween, especially for Halloween.
Okie-Dokie, Artichokie! by Grace Lin
Teaches subtle lesson about misunderstandings.
One Grain of Rice by Demi
Wonderful math concept book, beautiful illustrations.
 The Origami Master by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, illustrated by Aki Sogabe
My best published picture book to date.
The Paper Princess Finds her Way by Elisa Kleven
Fun, imaginative story with interesting, intricate illustrations.
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Screen of Frogs by Sheila Hamanaka.
Wonderful illustrations, appealing folktale with ecological themes.
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Dom Lee
Very well-done biography.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
A perfect winter story.
Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill, illustrated by Charles Fuge
Terrific toddler book, great illustrations.
Stick by Steve Breen
Frog fun.
Suddenly! by Colin McNaughton
Enter a world fraught with danger.
Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross
The Tale of Tricky Fox by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Entertaining trickster folk tale.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
Great traditional version of this folktale.
A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont
Affecting book for young children about nature.
Tuesday by David Wiesner
Flying frogs!
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett
Charming, romantic Valentine's Day picture book.
What Charlie Heard: The Story of the American Composer Charles Ives by Mordicai Gerstein
Great musical biography with beautiful, unusual illustrations.
What Whiskers Did by Ruth Carroll
A very good wordless picture book from 1937.
Where Did Daddy's Hair Go? by Joe O'Connor, illustrated by Henry Payne
For all the bald Dads out there!

Who Took the Farmer's Hat by Joan L. Nodset, illustrated by Fritz Siebel.

Perfect for young children, with a charming lesson about generosity.