I went to a book exchange party the other night.
We were asked to bring a book that had influenced us early on. The first book that came to mind was Wilford Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. I remember my mom reading it to us when I was little. My brother and sister and I would squish on the couch, trying to be as close to her as possible, and far away from the metal reading light lamp that was so hot it would burn your skin if you touched it. At the end of the book, my mom would cry. I never understood why she cried, but I liked the story and the beautiful watercolor illustrations.
Wilford Gordon is a young boy who lives next to a home for the elderly and becomes friends with Miss Nancy Allison Delcourt Cooper, one of the residents who is losing her memory. The boy has an idea to help her bring her memory back and the book traces his plan.
I found it so intriguing as a child that this little boy is friends with an old lady. I found it so satisfying that the boy has an idea to help, and follows through with it on his own without being led by an adult.
Decades passed and I forgot about the book.
Then I saw it at a bookshop and bought it for my daughter. I read it to her as we snuggled on the couch one night. The friendship between two unlikely friends, the nostalgia of memories that move us and how they hold our identity together, the ways our lives are intertwined with one another, was so moving that tears escaped down the side of my face.
Books live within us. Books become a part of our own stories.
I put together a list of books with messages that represent the values I hope will become part of my own children’s stories. (These are different than the list I sent last fall of 40 books to facilitate important conversations with kids which you can also check out on my blog)
33 books we need in our world right now (with my interpretation of the message the book teaches in parenthesis).
• Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and Illustrated by Juile Vivas (The beauty of friendship across difference. Help a friend in need.)
•The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau illustrated by Gail de Marcken (The profound beauty of giving and the ugliness of greed)
•The Girl and the Wolf words by Katherine Vermette pictures by Julie Flett (Listen to yourself when you feel lost and fearful)
• Mama lion Wins the Race by Jon J Muth (Being a good friend is more important than winning the race.)
• I know the River Loves Me: Yo Se Que El Rio Me Ama written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez (Nature is part of you. Take care of the environment)
• Be A Maker by Katey Howes illustrated by Elizabeth Vukovic (Follow your creativity. Creativity connects us to one another and supports our communities.)
• The Tree Lady by J. Joseph Hopkins illustrated by Jill McElmurry (The profound impact of one person’s belief in the importance of green spaces for all.)
• The Wedding Portrait: The story of a photograph and why sometimes we break the rules by Innosanto Nagara (The power of standing up for what you believe in with examples of powerful movements around the world.)
• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. (The importance of finding a way to make the world a more beautiful place.)
• The Water Princess: Based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel written by Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. (Perspectives on environmental challenges facing much of the world)
• Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson Illustrated by Meilo So (The power of activism, and the importance of environmental stewardship)
• The Keeping Quilt written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco (The beauty of passing down family stories and feeling connected to your roots.)
• One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul (Finding creative solutions to Environmental problems.)
• Cherries and Cherry Pits written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams (The importance of story telling, creativity, imagination and community)
• All Around Us by Xelena Gonzalez illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia (The circle of life, connection between generations.)
• Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard illustrated by Juana Marinez- Neal (The importance of the things that tie us together, and remind us of who we are, and the need to learn about and respect these things in other communities.)
• Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd illustrations by Abigail Halpin (Appreciation for nature and all the things it makes us feel.)
• The Paper Crane by Molly Bang (The beautiful and surprising things that happen when you are kind to someone in need.)
• Strictly No Elephants written by Lisa Mantchev illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Find solidarity with others when you feel left out. Create inclusive spaces.)
• Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell Illustrated by Rafael Lopez (The power of art to connect people.)
• Sofia Valdez Future Prez by Andrea Beaty illustrated by David Roberts (Your voice matters. Kids can make a difference in their community)
• Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty illustrated by David Roberts (Following your passion even if you are met with resistance)
• Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty illustrated by David Roberts (Using failure as a path to success, and the importance of mentorship)
• Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty illustrated by David Roberts (The importance of curiosity and working together to solve a problem)
• Water is Water by Miranda Paul Illustrations by Jason Chin (The beauty and importance of the water cycle and the nature that brings us joyful moments.)
• Thunder Rose illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Stand up to your fears and use your voice)
• At the Same Moment Around the World by Clotilde Perrin (A perspective on the different ways people live)
• Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi Illustrations by Ashley Seil Smith (Examples of allyship and how to support one another.)
• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o illustrated by Vashti Harrison (Feeling proud of who you are even if others make you feel bad about yourself.)
• Hey Wall, a story of Art and Community by Susan Verde Illustrated by John Parra (The power of art and a community working together to change a space.)
• This is How we Do it by Matt Lamothe (An appreciation of the different ways people live their lives around the world)
• What a Wonderful Word: A Collection of Untranslatable Words From Around the World by Nicola Edwards and Luisa Uribe (The power of words and an interest in other cultures, people and how they live.)
• Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints by Daneen Akers
What book has had a profound impact on you (children’s book or otherwise) ?