Oh The Places You’ll Go By Dr. Seuss: Oh the Places You’ll Go was the last published book written and illustrated by the legendary children’s storyteller Dr. Seuss. Written in the rhyming style of his favorites such as Green Eggs and Ham, it tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who wants to leave town, and ends up traveling to many bizarre places that are geometrical and polychromatically correct. It is one of the few books that uses 2nd person narration (referring to you, the unnamed protagonist). The book concludes on a happy and open-ended note, as the protagonist continues to explore new places and things—many of which will be in the future.

An Awesome Book! By Dallas Clayton: The debut of self-published author turned mainstream hit Dallas Clayton, An Awesome Book! started the series of the always-happy children’s book written in a classic, timeless style that is reminiscent of fairy tales of yesterday. The book is based on the concept of “dreaming big.” It is a book of whimsy, rhyme and matching full color illustrations. The book concludes positively, with the moral of the story being not to lose the gift of imagination as one grows up. The story, though intended for a child’s impressionable and curious mind, is of sentimental interest to adults who never grew up and never stopped dreaming of jelly bean-powered cars.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and with illustrations by Jon Klassen tells the story of a monochrome town that suddenly gets a change of color thanks to a little girl named Annabelle and her box of yarn. Her box of yarn never seems to run out and so Annabelle knits clothing for everyone who asks, including people, animals, and all sorts of new friends. The story concludes upon resolving the conflict brought by the clothes-greedy archduke who tries to steal the box of yarn for himself. Children and adults alike will enjoy this book, particularly those who remember characters from the children’s book, I Want My Hat Back, written and illustrated by Klassen.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud: Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is a vividly illustrated children’s book that teaches the benefits of being kind through the metaphor of a bucket. The book is ideal for older children, as some of the concepts are complex, though they are ultimately about spreading happiness and understanding the behavior of negative thinkers. The book gives examples to children on how to become bucket fillers in their own lives, namely, by doing nice things for other people, and how to avoid emptying the buckets of others by being unkind. This is a learning aid that will prove very helpful in teaching moral behavior.

Tuesday by David Wiesner: Tuesday is David Wiesner’s children’s book illustrated with watercolor paintings. Only recently have new book editions come to recreate his paintings in the same vivid detail. The story covers a specific Tuesday in which frogs are mysteriously taken from their pond and float on lily pads to a different village. Before the book concludes, they perplex local villagers and have a series of funny encounters with humans and animals alike. Tuesday received one of the highest honors of any children’s book by winning the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1992. It is a great children’s adventure, as whimsical in voice as it is surreal in visuals

B by Sarah Kay: “B” was published in 2011, full of inspiring poetry by the young American poet Sarah Kay. The title poem is from the perspective of a mother to a daughter, and manages to be a promise, secret and even a thank you all in one. This is a good choice for anyone looking for some of the best poetry and illustrations of today.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: This book is a true classic in children’s literature. The story, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak tells the tale of Max, who upset with his mother sails away to an island inhabited by “Wild Things”. This is a story about an emotion rarely touched on in children’s books, anger. It manages to deal with that emotion in a way children understand and yet comes back around to that of love.

A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon: This book was written by Davis Shannon and published by Scholastic Press in 1998. The story is one of non-conformity, and features a girl named Camilla Cream who wakes up one morning covered in stripes. She turns into numerous things at the suggestions of others including a pill, fungus, and even her own bedroom. This is a vividly illustrated book with a good message for young ones.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds: This is a story for anyone who has been afraid to express themselves and really let their inner talents out. The story features a young girl, Vashti, who tells her teacher she cannot draw. The teacher replies with”make a mark and see where it takes you” and that is the start of the girls wonderful journey.

Press Here by Herve Tullet: Press Here is a truly interactive book that gives instructions to follow such as pressing the dots, tilting the book or even shaking it! This book is all about inspiring the imagination in young readers as it has a little glimpse of magic for those that are up for some make-believe.