Deep Dive ~ The Best Pages of My Favorite Children's Books, Part 2
Mom's turn to pick.
Hi! Welcome to Part 2 of my favorite pages of my favorite books. As a distinguished graduate of the Niguel Hills Middle School Advanced Drama Program (‘04), I proudly offer daily dramatic readings to my children, lucky them. Here’s a look inside the pages of my personal favorite books.
If you missed it, check out Part 1 here:
If you’re a fan of these Deep Dives, maybe you’d consider upgrading to a paid readership. It doesn’t come with any extra bonuses — everything in Handpicked is free — it’s just a way to “leave a tip” of about $2 per issue. Each newsletter is handwritten by me (no AI, no staff). Okay that’s all :-) thanks for reading! Enjoy!
One note: this is long, so if your inbox cuts it off, click here to see the whole post.
Your One and Only Heart
Simultaneously simplifying and celebrating the glorious human heart, this book’s poetic language is kid-friendly enough for my elementary schoolers to enjoy, plus it includes more advanced diagrams and terminology at the end for kids who are ready for more.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Fox in Socks
My kids love it when I read this book super fast (see note above re: dramatic readings). The tweetle beetle battle is obviously the best part of the whole book!
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
How To
Very short, very thoughtful; a respectful peek into how it feels to be little.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
If I Had a Little Dream
Each page features a folksy little vignette renaming the important pieces of our lives: home, garden, bed, and on. This page always makes me cry; my brothers mean everything to me. Perfect book, imho.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
A B See
Truthfully, I wish my kids would sit a little longer for this meticulous “I spy”-style alphabet book — the illustrations are utterly delightful.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak was a wacky fellow indeed, but nowhere else I have read a more heart-rending line than, “Oh please don’t go—we’ll eat you up—we love you so!” Over-etsyified although it has become, I could write a dissertation on the complexity and beauty and all-encompassing reflection of motherhood that is summed up on this page.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
The Lion and the Mouse
Nothing I love more than when you can *hear* an illustration. A Caldecott Medal winner for a reason! It’s the classic Aesop fable retold in pictures only. I love wordless books, specifically a pile of them prepared for our earliest riser to read to himself before the sun/ Dad is up.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
When I Miss You
Oh my gosh, this book is a MUST for anxious preschoolers. When our third was sad (read: devastated) those first few months at preschool drop-off, I tried *everything* to make the transition easier and was even considering pulling him out of school altogether because it was that awful. Then I found this book, and it was like flipping a light switch inside him. We read it dozens of times during that tough stage and still find comfort in it when Dad travels for work.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Du Iz Tak?
Carson Ellis, you wondrous weirdo, thank you for this book! It’s all in gibberish and not a word of it makes sense, except that it absolutely does. We have so much fun with this unique and artful little tale.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Henry Goes West
Long have I proclaimed my love for this unfortunate duck. Pictured here is my childhood copy, which I do not allow anyone to actually touch. I will never tire of the desert colors and line drawn illustrations, not to mention, there’s something very refreshing about a book where everything goes completely wrong.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
A House is a House for Me
Reconsidering every container, space, and individual, this is a fun limmericky book with a cute take on houses and homes. It reminds me of my cozy elementary school library.
There is one page I skip: the author uses objectifying language toward Native Americans and their homes in a way I am uncomfortable with. I included this book in my roundup because A.) it’s mostly lovely and B.) I appreciate it for the chance to show my kids a physical example of what I am not okay with. Skipping the affiliate links for this one.
“Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!”
First off: terrific title. When I read this classic, I give each animal a different accent. These parrots (for whom I swap in female pronouns) have been appointed a Jersey-Shore-ish situation (lol)… not sure how I got there, but it sure is fun to read this page like JWOWW.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Salt in His Shoes
A true story from Michael Jordan’s boyhood, written by his mother and sister. Awesome illustrations and great storytelling of an experience that, despite his great fame, we were unfamiliar with. My son checked it out from the library and we couldn’t get enough, so we purchased one for our family collection.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Backyard Fairies
Fairy books are SO important in the Steele household. We own several, but this one by Phoebe Wahl is my favorite; she *just might be* a fairy herself. This page makes me stop and smile every time — look at all those cheerful, magical little folks. My daughters write notes to fairies regularly; books like this are a big reason why.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Oh, this fabulous folktale! It’s a Caldecott Medal winner and an absolute masterpiece of mixed media illustration. (Can you stand that bouquet of flowers under Joseph’s arm!!) Simms Taback’s telling is a real celebration of the protagonist’s perseverance and resourcefulness, as well as his Jewish culture, finishing off with a great moral.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Goodnight Moon
I will never tire of Goodnight Moon. I will never tire of this page. In the last ten years I think it’s safe to estimate that I’ve read this book a thousand times. I hope to read it a thousand more.
Get the book: Amazon // Bookshop
Tweetle Beetle Battle 4 LYFE
I devoured this post!
Thank you so much for sharing! I bought several of the books from your last book deep dive. My baby boy is only 6 months but I'm hoping to fill his bookshelves with plenty of classics.