The best children’s books about seeing things differently

Kevin Tseng Author Of One Snowy Morning
By Kevin Tseng

Who am I?

Growing up, I loved drawing and painting and disliked writing papers, so always thought of myself solely as an illustrator. Then one day, the tale of a pie-baking worm looking for new digs (Ned’s New Home) popped into my head and I shifted into author-illustrator. Later, the story of some highly innovative forest critters (One Snowy Morning) took form and I flipped fully into the role of author (with illustrator Dana Wulfekotte’s vision filling the pages). Of course, children’s story narratives can carry big ideas. For me, the opportunities surrounding the books themselves have taught me that the ability to see things differently is a very valuable tool.

I wrote...

One Snowy Morning

By Kevin Tseng, Dana Wulfekotte (illustrator),

Book cover of One Snowy Morning

What is my book about?

One morning, a squirrel and a chipmunk happen upon a giant heap of snow decorated with strange objects and are not sure what to make of it. Readers will recognize a fully-equipped snowman, but our woodland friends come up with an entirely different set of uses for the objects — not once, but two times! The result is a festive celebration with their pals and then the realization that someone else might also find the objects useful. So they return (almost) everything to the original spot with comical results.

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The books I picked & why

The Red Lemon

By Bob Staake,

Book cover of The Red Lemon

Why did I love this book?

As a recovering perfectionist, it took (and still can take) a long time for me to appreciate an unexpected development. Like my younger self, Farmer McPhee has a clear vision for every one of the perfect yellow lemons growing in his orchard. They will be used for sweet cakes, zingy sherbets, ice-cold drinks, and — [gasp] — he discovers a glaring glitch that could ruin all of his plans. Luckily, not everyone sees things like Farmer McPhee and a glitch for one person is pure inspiration for another.

The Red Lemon

By Bob Staake,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Red Lemon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Farmer McPhee isn't ready for what he's about to discover among his cherished bright yellow fruits . . . a red lemon! Readers young and old will delight in the deliciously vibrant world that acclaimed author-illustrator, Bob Staake, has created. Now available as an affordable Dragonfly paparback!

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Round Trip

By Ann Jonas,

Book cover of Round Trip

Why did I love this book?

As a kid, I remember staring out the window during car rides and being mesmerized by shapes, repetition, and motion. This masterfully designed book captures that dream-like quality during a daytime road trip from country into city. The detailed black-and-white illustrations use silhouette and pattern to convey the shifting scenery. And just when you think the book has come to an end, you flip the entire thing over and travel back home — at night!

Round Trip

By Ann Jonas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Round Trip as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book isn't just the STORY of a family’s round trip - it IS a round trip! Read forward and look at the sights, then flip the book over to see something different on the way back. The black-and-white illustrations for the trip into the city become something different when the book is turned upside down for the journey home. Clouds turn into puddles, fields of wheat turn into rain, lightning becomes mountain trails, and building lights morph into stars. "Round Trip" was featured on Reading Rainbow, the acclaimed PBS-TV series celebrating books and reading.

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Toot & Puddle (Toot & Puddle, 1)

By Holly Hobbie,

Book cover of Toot & Puddle (Toot & Puddle, 1)

Why did I love this book?

The grass is not always greener on the other side, especially with these two friends. One wants to travel the world (deserts! mountains! tundra!), while the other wants to stay at home (swimming! baking! ice skating!). Rather than be envious of each other, they share their adventures via postcards and the recipient’s own experience is further deepened. Inspired by this exchange, for many years a friend and I would alternate being “Toot” or “Puddle,” sending postcards to each other about our adventures near and far.

Toot & Puddle (Toot & Puddle, 1)

By Holly Hobbie,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Toot & Puddle (Toot & Puddle, 1) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Toot and Puddle are the best of friends. But when Toot leaves Woodcock Pocket to travel and see the world, Puddle chooses to stay at home. Just when Puddle begins to miss his old friend, he embarks on some of his own adventures-right at home. Finally, after Toot returns from his year-long trip, the two discover that true friendship knows no boundaries.

With a delightful mix of humor, warmth, and a classic style all her own, Holly Hobbie captures the all excitement and joy that surround adventures-near and far-and reminds readers that true friendship knows no boundaries.

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The Wizard of Oz

By L. Frank Baum,

Book cover of The Wizard of Oz

Why did I love this book?

“Green witch, red shoes” automatically comes to my mind with this title (courtesy of the popular 1939 musical). I am so grateful to acclaimed illustrator Lizbeth Zwerger — who *never* saw that film — for her fresh and captivating interpretation of this story. Baum’s original silver shoes are here and “Dainty China Country” is not forgotten. I still enjoy the “green witch, red shoes” version, but having an alternative perspective gives the source text even more depth.

The Wizard of Oz

By L. Frank Baum,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Wizard of Oz as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics.

'"Come along, Toto," she said. "We will go to the Emerald City and ask the Great Oz how to get back to Kansas again."'

Swept away from her home in Kansas by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves stranded in the fantastical Land of Oz. As instructed by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road to try and find her way to the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, who can help her get home.…

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Zoom

By Istvan Banyai,

Book cover of Zoom

Why did I love this book?

It’s an accomplishment to change a reader’s perspective once in a book, if not twice. Yet this book manages to do so with every page turn. Just when you think the author has run out of room (to zoom!), another visual twist is added to the cunning and wordless sequence. A friend gave me this book as a gift years ago; I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I seek out that same friend’s advice when looking for second opinions.

Zoom

By Istvan Banyai,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Zoom as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

As seen on the SERIAL podcast, season 2, episode 1 ("Dustwun")!

Open this wordless book and zoom from a farm to a ship to a city street to a desert island. But if you think you know where you are, guess again. For nothing is ever as it seems in Istvan Banyai's sleek, mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures, which will tease and delight readers of all ages.

"This book has the fascinating appeal of such works of visual trickery as the Waldo and Magic Eye books." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Ingenious."-- The Horn Book

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5 book lists we think you will like!

The best wordless children’s books that also have meta, surreal, or magical realism elements
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The best books about the Hero's Journey
The best books that combine magic with the mundane
The best books about unexpected friends

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