We all grow up reading incredible picture books. From stories about joy and friendship to personifications of planets to investigations of imaginative worlds these early stories tackle a spectrum of topics to ensure that kids develop social-emotional learning skills while enjoying engaging stories and illustrations. Of course, with every new generation, there are new ideas and topics to cover initiating new picture book creations, sometimes even based on, or around, those classic pieces that the authors grew up with. Here we’ve collected a few examples of some of the best new interpretations or reimaginings of classic stories that your kids are sure to enjoy just as much as you will.
If You Give a Mouse an iPhone: A Cautionary Tail by Ann Droyd
Laura Numeroff’s classic story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and its numerous spinoffs have already permeated pop culture, with a naming device that’s easily co-opted to apply to whatever topic is circulating the cultural zeitgeist. However, Ann Droyd decided to double down on this idea and create a story that’s not only topical but informative for both parents and children about the possible dangers that come with access to the wide world of the internet through cell phones. This book’s genius explanation of the insufficiency of technology as a solution to boredom is the perfect place to begin to help show children how much they’re liable to miss out on if they bury themselves in the technology around them.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
This book, clearly drawing on Eric Carle’s famous work The Very Hungry Caterpillar, incorporates both personality and learning into its fiction, inspiring further exploration in readers of all ages. Burach’s 2019 publication follows a caterpillar attempting to go through metamorphosis, however, he lacks the patience to wait the required time to fully realize his transformation. Full of fun facts concerning caterpillars and their transformation, this book is a wonderful way of inspiring early scientific thinking and investigation into the realities of our natural world!
Drawn Together by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
While not directly comparable in content to Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, this gorgeous story maintains the theme of crossing boundaries and communicating through art. Through this glimpse into the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather separated by a language barrier, Lê crafts an inspiring narrative that perfectly represents the necessity of art not just as expression but as language itself. Further supported by Santat’s gorgeous illustrations that serve as the boy’s impression of his world and those around him, this book is a must-read for everyone, especially those feeling separated or left out.
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel
Drawing on the idea of perception from Bill Martin Jr.’s ever-popular Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, this new take from Brendan Wenzel focuses on how others may see you or, in this case, a cat! Through a depiction of the many different lives of one cat, Wenzel’s Caldecott award-winning book plays with the idea of perception, demonstrating how different features are represented depending on your point of view – a perfect way to begin explaining social and cultural differences to children who may not yet understand the difference in experiences and representation.
Saturday by Oge Mora
Oge Mora’s most recent publication, Saturday, follows the way we interact when our plans fall apart, and how our reaction to the ensuing chaos defines our mood and the mood of those around us – mirroring Judith Viorst’s iconic creation Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This heartfelt story about the relationship between a mother and daughter inspires a love for family, given or chosen, pushing the importance of “togetherness” instead of the activities that can sometimes get in the way. Plus, it may help everyone build their empathy muscle, in helping to understand where a meltdown can come from, and why.
While by no means a comprehensive list, these few suggestions are a great place to start when trying to discover picture books that inspire that feeling of nostalgia while remaining relevant to children’s frame of reference as well. Incorporating familiar themes is not only a provocation of nostalgia but also a way of imparting some of our knowledge to the next generation through a knowledge of the pursuit and execution of these themes.
Logan May is a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he’s studying English while double minoring in marketing and writing. In his free time, he can be found reading or performing on stage, promoting his passions on and off the page.