Last year my best friend and her wife asked me to use my librarian super powers to create a list of picture books for their baby registry. When I tell you I was honored, it’s no understatement. The initial list I had included 1200+ books and ranged up through middle grade levels. They quickly – and kindly – tempered my enthusiasm by asking me to list my top 100 picture books. Just enough to get them started. This is that list.
They received many of them at their shower and since then have used this list to supplement their collection (there’s only so many times you can read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom before you need a new story). And the list has gone on to have a life of it’s own, shared among their friends and other new parents.
My goal with this list was to reflect both of them as parents and the incredible range of children’s books that simply weren’t available when we were all growing up last century. These books highlight social emotional learning, bodily autonomy, intersectionality, the gender spectrum, child-friendly humor, and, of course, exquisite artwork.
Oh, and Bubbles was what they called their baby from its first appearance on the ultrasound. A small cluster of bubbles that turned into an amazing, joyful kid.
Melissa Proulx | Author 