If you're a fan of Bernard Waber's Lyle Crocodile books (which I most definitely am), then "The Crocodile in the Tree" (1972) by Roger Duvoisin will likely appeal as well. Duvoisin's story of a misunderstood crocodile who "only uses his big, sharp teeth to smile" at people is so sweet, as he tries to befriend first the terrified barnyard animals and then the lady of the farm. A classic animal tale. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #thecrocodileinthetree #rogerduvoisin #1970sbooks #1970schildrensbooks #classicpicturebook #childhoodclassics #childhoodfavorite #vintagekidsbooks #vintagechildrensillustration #vintagepicturebookillustration #vintagepicturebooks #booklovers #bookloversnostalgia #kidlitpicks_retrofaves #igbooks #bookobsessed https://www.instagram.com/p/B4x3ss8nw3o/?igshid=1jekrp6l34vt5

Sometimes the simplest stories are also the most thought-provoking. Virginia Burton's "The Little House" (1942), about how the world changes around a small family home through the years, is a gorgeous example of this. While Burton herself claimed that it was not meant to be a critique of urbanisation, but rather was intended to evoke the passage of time for a young audience, nonetheless there are lessons to be learned as we see this country cottage encroached upon by roads and buildings, and eventually overtaken by them. Still, kids will be fascinated, over 75 years after its initial publication, to see how the world changes over time, and the story is as sweet and enjoyable as ever. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #thelittlehouse #virginialeeburton #virginialeeburtonslittlehouse #virginialeeburtonbooks #classicpicturebook #classicpicturebooks #childhoodclassics #childhoodfavourites #antiquepicturebooks #antiquechildrensbook #vintagekidsbooks #vintagepicturebookillustration #vintagechildrensbook #childhoodfavorite #kidlitpicks_retrofaves #1000booksbeforekindergarten #booksthatchangedmylife #readingrecommendations #childrensliteracy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4YKTIRnis7/?igshid=14n1fdjgww8p1

Given that this is at least the third book of his that I've shared, I think it's pretty clear that I'm a big fan of the late Ezra Jack Keats. There are many things to love about his stories. They were deliberately inclusive and representative of both inner city children and kids of colour, for example, at a time when that was far from the norm. What I love most about Keats' work, though, is particularly apparent in "Whistle for Willie" (1964), and that's the author-illustrator's uncanny ability to both understand and portray a child's perspective on the world. While the main story, about Peter's attempts to learn how to whistle, is very endearing, it's the tangents Peter goes off on as he wanders about the neighbourhood that touched my heart. Swinging around a stoplight pole, dragging a bit of chalk behind him as he wanders ... these are the unconscious moments of childhood when kids lose themselves in their imaginations, and the things that bring the story fully to life. 💜 ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #whistleforwillie #ezrajackkeats #ezrajackkeatsbooks #vikingjuvenile #whistling #learningtowhistle #learningnewthings #pets #neighbourhood #booklovers #lovebooks #kidlitpicks_retrofaves #vintagekidsbooks #vintagepicturebook #vintagechildrensbooks #diversebooksforkids #weneeddiversekidsbooks #representationmatters #representationinchildrensbooks #screenfree #readyourworld #blackkidsbooks #blackkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B4LORW3HlBa/?igshid=qn2pw5roiubs

More Madeline!! Everyone loves a Madeline book, and Ludwig Bemelmans' "Madeline and the Bad Hat" (1956) is one of the best, with its introduction of the mischievous Pepito, son of the Spanish Ambassador. When Pepito moves in next door to Miss Clavel's school, he immediately causes much disruption with his terribly naughty behaviour. But when he gets injured through his own misdeeds, Madeline and friends visit, and mutual understanding (and maybe even friendship) is in the offing. A wonderful story of childhood antics that never gets old! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #madelineandthebadhat #LudwigBemelmans #bemelmans #bemelmansmadeline #Madeline #madelinebooks #vintagekidsbooks #vintagechildrensillustration #vintagechildrensbooks #booknerdigans #bibliophile #booksaremylife #readaloud #bookcollection #childrenbook #booksthatmatter #screenfreekids #primaryed #readaloudrevival #kidlitpicks_retrofaves #childrensclassics #1950sbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B4qCMEcnV4Z/?igshid=13uxwpyjmbabh

I don't think I've ever read a Kevin Henkes book that I didn't love, but possibly my favourite is "Chrysanthemum" (1991). Over 25 years old and still hugely popular, this story of a little girl with an unusual name, the bullies who make fun of her, and the teacher in whom she finds an ally and kindred spirit, is timelessly sweet and holds up to endless repeated readings. A worthy addition to any child's book collection. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #chrysanthemum #chrysanthemumbook #kevinhenkes #kevinhenkesbooks #names #namesforgirls #bullying #bullies #stopbullying #stopbullyingnow #greatteachers #longnames #childhoodclassic #vintagekidsbooks #vintagechildrensbook #childhoodfavorite #alanotablebook #kidstagram #readinglist #readingforgrowth #raisingkindkids #teachersofthegram #kindnessintheclassroom #homeschoolers #primaryschool #kindergartenteachers #kidlitpicks_retrofaves #readtoyourkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B30DdA-n9VL/?igshid=1wsugayv8wwfg