A Picture for Harold's Room, by Crockett Johnson, originally published in 1960 by HarperCollins.
Harold is magical. There is no other way to describe him. Sure, he is creative, imaginative, and talented, (and adorable), but it really all comes down to him being magical.
My son is very much like Harold -- he is magical.
Will You Carry Me?, by Helen van Rossum, illustrated by Peter van Harmelen, Kane/Miller Publishing, 2005.
I bought this book about ten years ago -- before I became a mommy, or even knew that I was becoming a mommy -- because I saw the artwork featured in an exhibition of children's book illustrations. I wasn't disappointed in the story then; in fact, I donated the book to the library where I was working as a children's librarian. Fast-forward ten years, and my own son picked this book out (on his own) from another library. And it is still good.
Who Will Be My Friends, by Syd Hoff, HarperCollins, 1960.It is very difficult for a shy child, an extreme introvert, to move to a new town and have to start making friends all over again. I should know -- I was one. Even so, I don't quite relate to the boy in this book. You can't stay on the sidelines and expect to make friends, some effort is needed. My son, who has moved to a new town, but who is not especially introverted, cannot relate to the boy in the book even less than I could.The illustrations, however, are absolutely faultless, and the story -- such as it is -- is cute.
The Sandman and the War of Dreams, William Joyce, Atheneum Books, 2013.
This series has me enthralled. It started off great, and grows more complex and stronger with each new book. But two questions do arise: When will the next book be released? and, Where was Jack Frost?!
