The Books the Raised Me

A picture book is a treasure. It’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship that only gets better with age. As I sat down to contemplate which 20 of the many picture books impacted my upbringing, I was confronted with the agony of choosing. So many wonderful books crossed my path throughout my childhood, and each one resonated with me in a different way. Books read in school, at playdates, and especially during the sacred ritual of bedtime—a time anchored in song and story, with my mother singing my favorite lullabies and reading my favorite books out loud delighting in every character’s voice with passion and fun.

In the end, for the purposes of this blog, there was no rhyme or reason to my selection of these 20 books, as I couldn’t rightfully decide. I just had to go with my gut, letting you in on the childhood of an American kid who grew up in New York City in the early '90s.

The Fish Who Could Wish, by John Bush

Okay, perhaps I’m starting with this one because it may be my favorite. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a fish with a special gift: he can make wishes. It’s not just a super cool superpower, but it’s also what makes him unique among the other fish. But when he wishes to fit in, the lesson becomes clear: be careful what you wish for.

Charlie Needs a Cloak, by Tomie DePaola

The books by Tomie DePaola are pure magic. I was hard-pressed to select only one! His illustration style is so tactile, and his stories warm the soul better than a cup of cocoa. This simple story shows the steps needed to make a cloak, with DePaola’s signature humor and warmth.

For more Tomie DePaola, check out the Strega Nona stories and the inspiring The Clown of God.

Doctor De Soto, by William Steig

Perhaps it was because my mom was a dentist that this book became a regular Hoffmeier bedtime favorite. It tells the story of Dr. De Soto, a mouse-dentist who treats animals of all sorts. One day, a fox with a toothache shows up at his door, and Dr. De Soto and his wife decide to treat the fox, which is a rather risky pursuit. So how do they outfox the fox? It’s no wonder this book won the 1983 Newbery Medal.

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

My list wouldn’t be complete without Where the Wild Things Are. Sixty-two years after its initial release, this masterpiece continues to touch the hearts of millions, and maybe that’s because we all feel a little bit like Max—cloaked in our wolf costume and totally misunderstood. As the story goes, Max is sent to his room without supper for being a troublemaker. As he stews in his anger his room transforms into the land of the Wild Things, where Max is crowned king.

The Judge: An Untrue Tale, by Harve Zemach

I have fond memories of this book, particularly because it ended up becoming my first live performance as my preschool teachers adapted it into a play for friends and family. It’s a funny story about a judge who ignores warnings about a monster until it’s too late.

The Stinky Cheese Man, by Jon Scieszka

This retelling of popular fairy tales was such a hit when I was a child. The Stinky Cheese Man is a reworking of the Gingerbread Man. Intermixed throughout the book, our narrator, Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk, tries his best to give his readers a coherent telling of “fairly-stupid” tales, some of which include “The Really Ugly Duckling” and “Cinderumpelstiltskin.”

The Paperbag Princess, by Robert Munsch

I think I must have read this book once a week as a kid. I just loved it! This story flips the classic knight-in-shining-armor tale on its head. Our heroine, Princess Elizabeth, is betrothed to Prince Ronald, who is kidnapped by a fire-breathing dragon. The dragon has burned the castle to the ground and the only thing left to wear is a paper bag, which the princess throws on as she sets forth to outwit the dragon and save Ronald.

Miss Nelson is Missing, by Harry Allard

Miss Nelson is tasked with teaching the most unruly class in the school, who leave spitballs on the ceiling and whiz paper planes through the air. One day, she mysteriously disappears, and in her place is the evil witch, Miss Viola Swamp. Will the students ever get Miss Nelson back?

Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, by Eric Carle

This book is beautifully illustrated by the brilliant Eric Carle, of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I remember being mesmerized as a child by the ladder used to reach the moon in the story. This book teaches the beauty of imagination while also introducing the phases of the moon to little ones.

The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss

Rumored to be the favorite of Dr. Seuss himself, The Lorax is a tale that teaches young ones to care for the environment. 

The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks, by Katherine Paterson

Katherine Paterson retells the ancient Japanese story of the Mandarin Ducks in this beautifully illustrated book. This is a tale about a duck trapped by a greedy lord for his beautiful plumage. The servant girl, Shozo, sets the bird free, and in doing so is sentenced to death. But, in a twist of fate, her simple act of kindness may also be the thing that sets her free. This book illustrates the importance of kindness.

Five Minutes’ Peace, by Jill Murphy

This book had me laughing from cover to cover. It was read so much that the pages fell out at the seams. This is a story about a mama elephant who just wants five minutes of peace for herself. But with her brood of boisterous baby elephants, that’s an impossible task.

Corduroy, by Don Freeman

This sweet story of a toy bear missing a button was a favorite of mine. The book speaks of Corduroy’s nighttime adventure to find his button, and ends up taking him on a different kind of journey. A journey home.

The Purple Coat, by Amy Hest

This delightful book was one of the treasures I discovered on Reading Rainbow, and showcases the importance of trying new things. It’s the story of a girl who wants a purple coat instead of her usual navy one. The solution? A reversible coat with both colors!

In a Dark Dark Room, and Other Scary Stories, by Alvin Schwartz

Growing up, this book was both scary and fun to read. It was a collection of ghost stories, each of which were perfect for a spooky thrill.

Stone Soup, by Ann McGovern

This was a charming tale of trickery, where a young man convinces an old woman that a delicious soup can be concocted from nothing but a simple stone. As the water boils with the stone inside, the young man suggests that the stone soup will be even more delicious if more and more ingredients are added, until the soup becomes a feast fit for a king!

Anansi the Spider, by Gerald McDermott

Perhaps I loved this story because it flipped the parent-child relationship, as it is Anansi’s sons that help him out of trouble. A tale of adventure and family loyalty that ends with a magical explanation on how the moon ended up in the sky.

Liang and the Magic Paintbrush, by Demi

Liang’s magical paintbrush brings his drawings to life. When the emperor hears of Liang’s gift, he imprisons Liang, demanding that Liang draw only what he wants. Liang uses his gift to outsmart the emperor with a clever, magical twist.

Angelina Ballerina, by Katherine Holabird

My copy of Angelina Ballerina came with a necklace that I wore proudly as a child, even though I had two left feet. This is a beautiful story about a little mouse who loves to dance and teaches us that through practice and routine, one can accomplish their dreams.

Bony Legs, by Joanna Cole

Deep in the woods lives an evil witch in a house on chicken legs – and she loves to eat children. The little Sasha is captured, and as she’s being prepared for the witch’s meal, a creaking gate, a skinny dog, and a melancholy cat come to her aid with the help of a little magic. My classmates and I were enthralled by the magical items in the book and how Sasha outsmarted the witch. To this day, I still remember how amazed I was at the forest that grew from the prongs of a comb. Stemming from the tradition of folktales, this story is a retelling of Baba Yaga.

What an incredible journey down memory lane! I hope you have the opportunity to take a look at a few of these books! Let me know in the comments below about the picture books that made an impact on your life.