I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for a well-written, beautifully-illustrated picture book! I love them so much they’re a big part of what I do as a writer. But before everyone starts sending me comments like, “Where can I buy one of your books?” you need to know I have yet to sell one single picture book. Not one. I say yet, because I know my turn is coming, and when it happens, I’ll get to join the ranks of some of the most talented authors out there. It makes me a little misty just thinking about it, because it’s a big dream for an ordinary writer like me.

And why do I think picture book authors are some of the most talented writers out there? Because writing picture books is hard work! Telling a story well to an audience of children with high expectations and short attention spans takes nothing less than Herculean effort. Any writer can tell a story in 50,000 words. It takes something just shy of genius to do it in less than 500.

So in honor of National Picture Book Month, I’ve picked my top-10 favorites. I share these with you because reading them, studying them, looking at every detail of the illustrations, and remembering how I felt the first time I read makes me a better writer. And on top of that, they’re completely fun and beautiful in every way.

Now a little disclaimer here…you won’t see any farting dogs or children wearing underwear on their heads in my picks. Those just aren’t my style; although they work to inspire a love a reading in some that might not otherwise be there. I like stories that sing to me- where each word is poetry and helps children know all is well with the world at least for that moment. I’m inspired by books that celebrate innocence, encourage day dreaming and let kids know it’s OK to be a child for as long as they’d like. So with that said, here’s the first pick in my Top-10! Enjoy! (Stay tuned for more throughout the month of November).  

Sophie’s Squash

By Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf (Schwartz and Wade Books, 2013)

I knew Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf was special when I opened the first page and saw a little girl with big eyes and brown pigtails reaching for a butternut squash like it was the Queen’s tiara. Wilsdorf’s illustrations whisk readers into the world of the famer’s market with all the colors and fun of fall at every page turn. Pat Zeitlow Miller’s text sings with alliteration as Sophie’s squash is not to be served for supper after all, but loved and cared for as the special squash it is. Just right to hold in her arms and love, Sophie’s squash goes everywhere with the little girl- story time at the library, back to visit the farmer’s market, to do somersaults in the garden- until even Sophie realizes that Bernice (that’s the squash’s name) isn’t looking as fit as she used to. But Sophie loves Bernice and sees something in her no one else can, and soon realizes she just needs to love her in a different way. This simple story of friendship, devotion and renewal is the Mary Poppins of picture books: “Practically perfect in every way!”