I was wondering what to write about next and decided to take a break to start thinning out the kids’ toys in preparation for our move. The books seemed like a good place to start. I suck at getting rid of books. I get emotionally attached to them. Plus the kids’ books were an absolute disaster.

I don't know how long I was at the project. Maybe two hours? In any case my daughter suggested I could post about children's books and why I like certain ones and continue carting them all over the creation. We sold all our bookshelves before moving to Belize and didn't make or buy more, so their books have just been stacked in these boxes. I guess it makes it easier to move? I've been waiting to get settled because I'm going to do built in bookshelves in the walls when I build, but I think I will have to break down and get one soon. So there are three boxes of books and one chaotic mess of paper and coloring books.

I started to sort into three piles: trash, books to keep, and books to give away. Then I decided to split the books I'm keeping into two piles: ones I like and ones I am keeping for some other reason like: the kids love it, sentimental value, etc. This was just for my curiosity. Here are the sorted piles. The books I like are the big pile. The ones I'm getting rid of are in the black bag! Then the pile of coloring books is so diminished! I was so proud of myself for getting rid of so much.

So what makes a children's book good? I pulled out a few of my favorites for you to see. What I determined is, for me, they have to have some combination of quality art, imagination, playfulness, good story, good message (nothing too preachy though), and appropriate length. One of the books I got rid of was a really beautiful book with lovely art, a wonderful story, and a fabulous message, but it was just too long. Every time the kids pick it, I groan. Even when they move to chapter books, this book is longer than most chapters. I've had it for many years, but I decided if I dislike reading it, I should get rid of it.

Look how it turned out! Isn't that a huge improvement?

Here's a brief synopsis of some of my favorites.

Stellaluna was the first book my oldest child received when he was only six weeks. The art is sweet, as is the story, and it also shows most bats are not dangerous at all and has a message of celebrating our sameness as well as our differences.

The Children of the Forest is a classic. The art is gorgeous, and the story is so sweet. It celebrates imagination and beautiful childhoods in the woods. The family is also beautifully connected to each other, and they live in harmony with the land and the seasons.

The Sneetches is one of my favorites from Dr. Seuss. I love the sing songy read of Seuss. I love how it inspires children to learn how to read. I know Seuss was far from perfect, but the message of Sneetches is a really wonderful one.

A Child’s Book of Art is simply gorgeous. It is filled with classic paintings from some of history's greatest artists. They are divided up into different categories and have large, simple words, so it doubles for learning to read.

All I See is Part of Me is a marvelous introduction to metaphysics and is mostly about how we are all connected and made from the same God stuff. The art is very soft and sweet, and it's not overly preachy or excessively woo woo.

Roxaboxen is a treasure. We lost our first copy, and I had to get it again. It was written by an older woman about her memories of a game they played in her childhood with old, wooden crates. It's a beautiful story of imagination and friendship. I love this book a lot.

This Land is Your Land is the Woodie Guthrie song written out with gorgeous pictures. It's incredibly rich, and it has all the lyrics. If you've never heard all the verses, I highly recommend it. This is a revolutionary song and not remotely mindless patriotic drivel. “As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking. Is this land made for you and me?” Woody Guthrie was a true hero. This was one of my older kids’ favorite books, and I always, always sing it.

The Gift is one my ex bought for the kids. Though it is about Ananda, it isn't really about Buddhism. It's about being good stewards of the planet, recycling everything, and also the importance of caring for one another. The art is really lovely in this one too.

Atlas of the World I love maps and globes. I always have. That's pretty much all the love for this book is about. I love looking at it with the kids and talking about which countries are where and where we want to go and what the cultures and foods are like. The descriptions aren't at all thorough, so you have to supplement, but that's ok. The little ones really love the sections in the beginning about the solar system and also about the geology of earth. Yay! I finally had a science nerd kid! I knew at least one had to be like me!

Tell me. What were some of your favorite children's books? These two aren't into chapter books yet, so those are still packed away. There's some good ones coming though! In any case, picture book or chapter book, tell me what you think makes a children's book good.

Much love, y’all!

As always, all pics are mine or pixabay unless otherwise noted.