When headed to the library, it’s tough to know what books are worthwhile for checking out. Choosing living picture books that have stood the test of time, are beloved classics, and use rich and engaging language. The term was coined by Charlotte Mason but living books are a staple in many homeschooler’s libraries.
How to find quality picture books
The best indicator of a good kid’s book, is one that can be enjoyed by older kids and adults alike. Do the words flow from your lips when you read it aloud? Do the pictures invite you into the story? Trust your instincts to help you find the best books to read and build your library.
“I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children’s story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children’s story. The good ones last. A waltz which you can like only when you are waltzing is a bad waltz.”
C.S. Lewis
What are Living Books?
Living books stand the test of time because the author’s passion for the subject is contagious, and the reader becomes engaged and emotionally invested in the material.
Living books are usually narrative-driven, rather than being a list of dry facts, and often include personal stories and anecdotes to help illustrate the author’s points. Virtues and good character are often woven into these stories and they can cover any subject, from history and science to literature and philosophy.
Reading living books can be an incredibly enriching experience, as they provide readers with a deep understanding of a subject and can help cultivate a love of learning. They often inspire readers to explore new areas of knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
List of Over 50 Great Living Picture Books by Author
- Andersen, Hans Christian: The Snow Queen, The Emperor’s New Clothes
- Bannerman, Helen: The Story About Little Black Sambo, The Story About Little Babaji
- Bishop, Claire Huchet: The Five Chinese Brothers
- Bemelmans, Ludwig: Madeline
- Briggs, Raymond: The Snowman
- Brown, Margaret Wise: Goodnight Moon, The Golden Egg Book
- Burton, Virginia Lee: The Little House, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Katy and the Big Snow
- Carle, Eric: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
- Coatsworth, Elizabeth: The Little House
- Cooney, Barbara: Miss Rumphius
- DePaola, Tomie: Strega Nona, Pancakes for Breakfast
- Eastman, P.D.: Are You My Mother?
- Flack, Marjorie: The Story About Ping, Angus and the Ducks
- Foley, Greg: Make a Wish Bear
- Haas, Irene: The Maggie B
- Hafner, Marylyn: It’s Fun to Be Five
- Henkes, Kevin: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Chrysanthemum
- Kent, Jack: There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon
- Krauss, Ruth: The Carrot Seed
- Lehman, Barbara: The Red Book
- Lionni, Leo: Swimmy, Frederick
- Lobel, Arnold: Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together
- McCloskey, Robert: Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine
- Mayer, Mercer: There’s a Nightmare in My Closet, Just Me and My Dad
- Mosel, Arlene: Tikki Tikki Tembo
- Olfers, Sibylle von: The Story of the Root Children
- Perrault, Charles: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood
- Pinkney, Jerry: The Lion and the Mouse
- Politi, Leo: Pedro, The Angel of Olvera Street
- Potter, Beatrix: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit
- Provensen, Alice: The Year
- Sendak, Maurice: Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There
- Shannon, David: No, David!, A Bad Case of Stripes
- Slobodkina, Esphyr: Caps for Sale
- Steig, William: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
- Van Allsburg, Chris: Jumanji, The Polar Express
- Wiesner, David: Tuesday
- Williams, Margery: The Velveteen Rabbit
- Wise, Martin and Illustrated by Harry: The Runaway Bunny
- Wood, Audrey: The Napping House
- Yolen, Jane: Owl Moon
