Books for Young Readers by Missouri Authors

By Julie Douglas

At a recent READ from the START program, a few of the children wandered into our meeting room just as we were finishing. A little girl of about four years old snuggled up to her mom and inquired about the stack of books on the table. "Those are ours," the mom said with a smile. "We get to take these books home."

The young girl’s eyes widened and she snatched up a copy of Where the Wild Things Are . She hugged the book to herself and carried it around the room as if it were a baby doll.

When was the last time YOU felt like hugging a book? If you are one of the many book lovers who celebrated Children’s Book Week (November 13-19, 2006), such strong feelings of adoration are not new to you. If you aren't exactly the book-hugging type (yet), take heart! You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy children’s literature.

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, treat yourself to some of these delightful children's picture books written by Missouri authors.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene W. Field, illustrated by David McPhail (Scholastic, 2004) "The Children’s Poet," as Field is known, was born in St. Louis. His father, Roswell Field, served as an attorney for Dred Scott and his family. Visitors can tour the Eugene Field House and Toy Museum in St. Louis to learn more about this beloved children’s poet. Perhaps the most famous of his poems is Wynken, Blynken and Nod. In this version illustrated by David McPhail, three little rabbits climb aboard a wooden shoe and embark on a journey through the nighttime sky. Lyrical language and hidden surprises throughout the illustrations make this a bedtime favorite.

Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia C McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books 2005) Precious heeds her brother’s warning about the strange, tricky Boo Hag in this humorous and slightly spooky tale. With a voice that "rumbled like rolling wind" and "roared like a hundred swamp things," Pruella the Boo Hag was as bad as Precious' brother said. But Pruella hadn't counted on Precious' quick wits and common sense. Summon up your courage and give this book a read.

If you like Precious and the Boo Hag, you might also enjoy some of Patricia McKissack's other books:

The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia C McKissack, illustrated by Giselle Potter (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2000)

Lu and the Swamp Ghost by James Carville and Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by David Catrow (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books 2004)

Ma Dear's Aprons by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books 1997)

Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker (Roaring Brook Press, 2002) Take a peek at an artist at work in this excellent biography of painter Jackson Pollack. By focusing their story on a short period in Pollack's life, the authors show readers how Pollack created a painting that elicited praise, criticism, and controversy in the art world.

The Red Rubber Ball by Constance Levy, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Silver Whistle, 2004) Constance Levy's poetry is much loved by children (and adults!). Readers will enjoy her story of a red rubber ball, and delight in the illustrations that tell the story behind the story. The wonderful relationship between text and illustration makes The Red Rubber Ball a fun read.

If you like The Red Rubber Ball, give some of Levy's other collections of poetry a try:

Splash! Poems of Our Watery World by Constance Levy, illustrated by David Soman (Orchard, 2002)

A Crack In The Clouds And Other Poems by Constance Levy, illustrated by Robin Bell Corfield (Margaret K. McElderry,1998)

When Whales Exhale: and Other Poems by Constance Levy (Margaret K. McElderry,1996)

S Is For Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet by Judy and Ross B. Young (Sleeping Bear Press, 2001) A versatile alphabet book that can be enjoyed by both the read-aloud crowd and older students. The Youngs present interesting facts about Missouri history and geography in simple rhymes and more detailed side bars.

From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky, illustrated by Karla Firehammer, Karen Dismukes, Cathy McQuitty, and Sandy Koeser (Henry Holt and Co., 2002) Playful poems about dogs are illustrated with beadwork to create a cheerful book of poetry.

For more by Sklansky, try:

Skeleton Bones and Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween by Amy Sklansky, illustrated by Karen Dismukes (Henry Holt and Co, 2004)

The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst (Dutton Juvenile 2006) Who knew that the Gingerbread Boy had a clever sister? Funny illustrations and just enough adventure are the ingredients in this entertaining picture book. Read on for more by Ernst:

The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 2004)

Stella Louella's Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 1998)