International Children's Book Day

The world recently celebrated International Children's Book Day--and, in honor of that, I'm spotlighting three books we love in this house:

*"Rufus." I've discussed this one. A bat stumbles on a drive-in technicolor movie, and realizes that he has been missing out on the colors of the rainbow. What follows is a strange, dramatic, unpredictable journey, as Rufus sets out to forge his own path.

*"Penny and Her Song." It's been said--in the NY Times, for example--that Kevin Henkes is a genius. For evidence, look no further than this book. It's about the rhythms of family life; it's a chance for Henkes to notice little details that no one else would ever notice or record. (I'm very fond of the "better/wetter" rhyme, and the moment when Penny tries to entertain herself in the mirror. Penny, c'est moi.)

*"Goldilocks." The only time James Marshall won a Caldecott Honor--four years before his death. You can sense his spirit on every page. The cats, the stacks of books, the glowing fire, the flag of Texas, the mustachioed man, the small bear in a sailor suit: This is art.

We're all looking forward to "Billy Miller Makes a Wish."

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