As usual, I am running behind and chasing myself and so I am just now getting to International Children’s Book Day, which was on April 2nd.

I adore children’s books and have a collection of them that is still growing.

In honor of International Children’s Book Day, I decided to share eight of my favorite children’s books – though there are so many I love. It was tough to choose only a few.

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan. I have just recently written about how precious this book has been to me since I was a 3rd grader. Through it, my teacher, who was a treasure, encouraged my reading and my writing, even into my adulthood – and I am forever grateful.

The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey is a Little Golden Book that I loved as a small child and then also read to my children. Even now, when Bug and I are out shopping and spot the new seasonal Poky Little Puppy’s – Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s – we always pick them up for my book collection.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a beloved bedtime story for very small children – and I, like many parents, read it so many times, that I still, these many years later, remember every word. It is just a precious nighttime ritual for littles. ❤

Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein is a delightful collection of children’s poetry that I hope none of us ever really outgrows. Our copy was a wedding gift from a dear friend, and we treasure it. If you haven’t a copy of Silverstein’s writings, I would encourage you to add them to your collection. His unique voice is definitely one that is terribly missed.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is a must on this list. I love its story dearly and it contains a quote that I have shared countless times and given as a gift to my dearest ones as well: “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” It is just lovely. ❤

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf is the tale of Ferdinand the little bull, who would rather stay and smell the flowers in his field than go participate in the bullfights. It is a particularly special story for anyone who may feel different or excluded in any way.  ❤

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff is part of a series of books, including If You Give a Pig a Pancake and If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, among many others similarly themed. These are all adorable and beloved by many children – and my Bug still loves them dearly as well. ❤

The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone – and the monster at the end of this list – is adorable little Grover and the sweetest Little Golden Book. I loved it when I was a little girl and I still do.

I ❤ Sesame Street.

I hope you’ve found an idea or two here – and let me know below of your favorites as well. ❤

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.