I was pondering some picture books the other day, wondering which my kids would remember when they get older, because I definitely have my favorite current picture books. How lucky kids are now to be bombarded with incredible stories that are told with the help of exquisite illustrations.
I combed my fuzzy brain trying to remember my favorites from childhood and came up with 1 not so surprising, and 1 surprising favorite.
1. The not-so-surprisingly-favorite book of my youthhood:
Yep, Corduroy. I still have my copy, although it is long missing its’ jacket. Mostly I remember the illustrations of the buttons. Why did the buttons captivate me so much? I don’t have a clue, but I would read this book over and over and I’m sure I somehow identified with Corduroy, as I was forever trying to romanticize my life into something dramatic and tragic (with a happy ending, of course.)
2. Next up is the surprise, which is vividly emblazoned into my memory. In fact, when I think of it, I picture myself standing alone in the living room, next to the big window, in between the 2 white sets of bookshelves that my Grandfather made. I am half propped against a window, and I’ve pulled a small copy of Little Black Sambo from the shelves.
I’m sure I was curious what a horribly old kids’ book was doing among big thick books about wars and business. So I didn’t even bother to sit down when I read it. And then I read it a few more times. I’m not sure how often I returned to that same little wedge of space to read this book, but I had the story and the illustrations memorized.
I was too young to have a clue about racism, and I was smitten by the story and the strange characters, as children have been since 1899 when it was first published. The original text and illustrations, by Helen Bannerman, have undergone several incarnations at different times and places since its initial release. Some because of the apparent racism of the original, and some inspired by its wild success.
Fifty years after being released, people began to question the stylized way in which Bannerman portrayed Sambo and his mother, Black Mambo and father, Black Jumbo. The name Sambo was a common slave name and took on a racist connotation in some countries.
What hasn’t changed through the years is the appeal of the story. Sambo is a clever kid, and he outwits a bunch of tigers and ends up having a giant pancake feast with his parents at the end. The original illustrations are simple and bold, with lovely colors and characters. I loved everybody’s clothing especially, with lots of patterns and colors.
Besides these 2, I remember the Richard Scarry books and The Very Hungry Caterpillar as huge favorites. Richard Scarry books, because of the insane amount of detail would suck me in for hours, and the colors and textures of the Very Hungry Caterpillar were unique and yummy for the 70′s.
What are your favorites? What book makes you sink back into nostalgic reverie when you think about it or read it to your kids?
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My mom kind of dreaded reading Richard Scarry books to me because I had to look for Lowly Worm on every single page. I was thorough even as a toddler.
Carrie – Cannibalistic Nerd recently posted…The Things You Find When Packing Pt. 2
Lowly Worm is just about the best kids’ book character of all times, so you had good taste as a youngin’.
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its amazing that you have these books. the earliest books I can remember were Nancy Drew. oh and the disney versions o cinderella and sleeping beauty ans snow white. after nancy drew i realized my love of reading and have tried to instill that in my girls. i think i’ve done pretty good with that. they still get excited about going to barnes and noble.
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These two are among my kids favs although we have the sanitized “The Boy and the Tiger” Golden Book version. Love the simple illustrations from the original though. My two favorites were a children’s dictionary the strawberry picture dictionary by Richard Hefter (I still have it although it is falling apart) and the Golden “Book We Like Kindergarten”.
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I read a lot as a child, but can’t remember many of the books before my teens, other than Little Bear. Loved Little Bear!
I nabbed them from my dad when I was out visiting a few years ago- love old kids’ books. I’m gonna have to do a post on some other old kids’ books- they’re so fun.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Little Black Sambo Holds a Special Place in My Heart
I just read about the calmed down versions on Wikipedia when I was writing this post. Ha! I had no idea there were so many spin-offs. Never heard of “We Like Kindergarten”. I’ll have to look for it.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Print Transfer Project For Kids (You’ll Want to Make One, Too!)
Yay for Little Bear! Do you have a copy of it? I actually don’t remember very many books from my childhood either. These just stuck with me.
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I was a Richard Scarry fan too. I liked Little Black Sambo too but I’m not sure what all the fuss is about in terms of racism.
I really liked the Babar the Elephant books as a child, though my kids do not. Those stories are a little strange too.
My favorites were definitely the Frances books by Russel and Lillian Hoban. I have a list here: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2012/05/classic-books-kids-beloved/
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My favorites that jump to mind right now are “Jamberry” by Bruce Degen, and an old and now very rare book called “The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast” that had such incredible illustrations. My copy is so old that it is the one children’s book at home that I will not let Simon touch.
I also cannot wait for him to be old enough to share my love (hopefully) of anything by Roald Dahl.
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Just was in Brimfield for the antiques show – I bought Pyrex – and a matted illustration of Little Black Sambo for my mother in law – she loved this book so much she sent us two copies. Great illustrations.
So many gorgeous picture books – love Jamberry and anything Suess.
I have always loved the Dr Seusse books, Cat in the Hat etc and I read them to my children (8,18,&20)! I have a very, very old copy of The King, The Mice and The Cheese and The Digingest Dog. I also loved Are you My Mother, I wish that I had Duck Feet and A Big Ball of String!
I loved Are You My Mother, too. I’ll have to look up the others!