Story and art are equal partners in the world of picture books. Words and pictures work together to lead children--and adults--on a whirlwind tour of the imagination. Some books have a few (or no) words on each page, while others have several paragraphs; art ranges from cartoonish to abstract to painterly. There's something for everyone in this category that covers the silly as well as the sublime.

See if you agree with our selections. See if you don't. Share your opinions with us at: talkback@kidsreads.com. Your very own favorites may just end up on future versions of this list.

NEW FAVES

A Kids Reads new fave is a recently published book that has already proved a hit with kids, parents and booksellers. These books have the potential to become classics.

1. HORACE AND MORRIS BUT MOSTLY DOLORES 
by James Howe
illustrated by Amy Walrod
Atheneum, 1999
ISBN: 068931874X

The brightly colored adventures of three daring mice who are the "greatest of friends."

2. MOLE MUSIC 
by David McPhail
Henry Holt, 1999
ISBN: 0805028196

Mole decides to master a musical instrument. He practices in his underground home, never realizing that the beautiful music he eventually makes is changing the world above him for the better.

3. NO, DAVID! 
by David Shannon
Scholastic, 1998
ISBN: 0590930028

Young David, who has a knack for breaking things around the house and being rather rambunctious, comically recalls the phrase his mother often repeats: "No, David!"

4. IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO THE MOVIES 
by Laura Numeroff
illustrated by Felicia Bond
HarperCollins, 2000
ISBN: 0060278676

The sweet and curious mouse from the favorite IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE is back. This time, the adventure begins at the movies, where a mouse will certainly ask for popcorn...which gradually leads to ideas for decorating the Christmas tree.

5. OLIVIA 
by Ian Falconer
Atheneum, 2000
ISBN: 0689829531

A darling, very spunky piglet energetically rattles off her favorite pursuits and those she's could do without (read, naps).

6. CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows That Type 
by Doreen Cronin
illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Simon & Schuster, 2000
ISBN: 0689832133

When the cows find an old typewriter in the barn, they begin to type letters to Farmer Brown asking for things that will make them more comfortable (like electric blankets!)

7. HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOOD NIGHT? 
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by Mark Teague
Scholastic, 2000
ISBN: 0590316818

This rhyming book imagines all the ways a dinosaur might get ready for bed. Turns out it's not too much different from the way boys and girls go about it.

8. GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
by Sam McBratney
Candlewick, 1995
ISBN: 1564024733

Young Nutbrown Hare and his doting father share some quiet time in this tender bedtime story.

9. BUGS IN SPACE (pop-up)
by David Carter
Simon & Schuster, 1997
ISBN: 0689814305

Carter's wide-eyed bugs break out of their box and head for outer space, thanks to their brave leader, Captain Bug Rogers.

10. OFFICER BUCKLE & GLORIA
by Peggy Rathmann
Putnam, 1995
ISBN: 0399226168

A frisky, friendly pup named Gloria becomes the star of Officer Buckle’s safety presentations in this winner of the 1996 Caldecott Medal .

11. LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE
by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow, 1996
ISBN: 0688128971

Lilly brings her prize possession---a purse that plays music when she opens it---to school, much to the chagrin of her teacher.

12. THE RAINBOW FISH
by Marcus Pfister
North-South, 1992
ISBN: 1558580093

The Rainbow Fish thinks he's the fanciest around, because of his shimmering scales. He might look good, but he doesn't have any friends. He quickly learns a lesson about kindness and sharing.

13. MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME?
by Barbara M. Joosse
illustrated by NBarbara LavalleeAME
Chronicle, 1991
ISBN: 087701759X

A mother gives reassuring answers to her child's "what if" questions in this tender story about unconditional love. In the book's Arctic setting, mother and daughter wear colorful Inuit clothing.

14. JULIUS, THE BABY OF THE WORLD
by Kevin Henkes
William Morrow & Company, 1990, Paperback, 1995
ISBN: 0688143881

Lilly the mouse see LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE does a hilarious star turn in this picture book about the arrival of Julius, her baby brother. Her feelings of jealousy and anger soon turn to love. Henkes drawings of Lilly making scary faces and spending time outs in the "uncooperative chair" are a hoot.

15. THE ADVENTURES OF TAXI DOG
by Debra and Sal Barracca
illustrated by Mark Buehner
Dial, 1990
ISBN: 0803706715

Maxi the dog rides around town with his taxi-driver owner Jim as Jim picks up fares in New York City. The bouncy rhymes and vivid, busy city scenes are great fun.

16. GO AWAY, BIG GREEN MONSTER!
by Ed Emberley
Little, Brown & Company, 1992
ISBN: 0316236535

Each die-cut page of this book reveals a new facial feature of a silly-looking monster, which also disappears piece by piece as readers continue to flip the pages. A great title for building the self-confidence to overcome one's fears.

17. McDUFF MOVES IN
by Susan Jeffers
illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Hyperion, 1997
ISBN: 0786803185

McDuff, a white West Highland terrier, finds a loving home with humans Fred and Lucy in this wonderfully warm story. Companion titles include McDuff Comes Home and McDuff and the Baby.

18. TIME FOR BED
by Mem Fox
illustrated by Jane Dyer
Harcourt Brace, 1993
ISBN: 0152010149

From the forest to the farm, each little creature must settle in for the night --- and the human animal is no exception. Mem Fox has written a soft, sweet bedtime rhyme.

19. STELLALUNA
by Janell Cannon
Harcourt Brace, 1993
ISBN: 0152802177

A little lost fruit bat lands square in the middle of a nest of birds. Both bat and bird learn a lot about life from another perspective before Stellaluna is happily reunited with her mother.

20. MATH CURSE
by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Lane Smith
Viking, 1995
ISBN: 0670861944

A young student goes through some hilarious math anxiety when her teacher explains that everything can be thought of as a math problem.

21. HATTIE AND THE WILD WAVES
by Barbara Cooney
Viking, 1990, Paperback, 1993
ISBN: 0140541934

Young Hattie entertains her dreams of becoming a painter in this beautiful picture book set in turn-of-the-century New York City.

22. AMAZING GRACE
by Mary Hoffman
illustrated by Caroline Binch
Dial, 1991
ISBN: 0803710402

Grace wants more than anything to be Peter Pan in the school play. But her classmates insist the part could never go to a girl, especially an African American girl. Grace's determination and triumph are truly amazing.

23. RAPUNZEL
by Paul O. Zelinsky
Dutton, 1997
ISBN: 0525456074

Zelinsky sets the classic fairy tale in Renaissance Italy in his sumptuous, historically accurate paintings. A beautiful gift for adults as well as children. This book won the 1998 Caldecott Medal.

24. MEANWHILE...
by Jules Feiffer
HarperCollins, 1997
ISBN: 0062051555

A boy imagines himself on adventures as a pirate, a cowboy and an astronaut instead of doing his chores in the comical-and comic-book-like-picture book.

25. ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY ALEXANDER
by Judith Viorst
Atheneum, 1997
ISBN: 0689817738

The three classic picture books about Alexander-ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY; ALEXANDER WHO USED TO BE RICH LAST SUNDAY; and I'LL FIX ANTHONY-are collected here in one nifty volume.

26. THE GARDENER
by Sarah Stewart
illustrated by David Small
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1997
ISBN: 0374325170

In the 1930s, young Lydia is sent to live with her uncle while her father looks for a job. She takes with her some garden seeds and plenty of positive energy, the two things that help transform her uncle's garden and eventually his life. This title was a 1998 Caldecott Honor Book.

27. MARTHA SPEAKS
by Susan Meddaugh
Houghton Mifflin, 1992, Paperback, 1995
ISBN: 0395729521

When Martha, the family dog, laps up a bowl of alphabet soup, she acquires the gift of gab in this hilarious picture book.

28. MR. LUNCH TAKES A PLANE RIDE
by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh
Viking, 1993, Paperback, 1997
ISBN: 0140548688

Seibold’s hip, retro computer-generated art give this story about an adventurous dog named Mr. Lunch extra pizzazz.

29. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Lane Smith
Viking, 1989, Paperback, 1996
ISBN: 0140544518

In this clever twisted tale, A. Wolf explains that he is innocent; he was framed by the three little pigs.

30. FROGGY GETS DRESSED
by Jonathan London
illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Viking, 1992; Puffin Paperback, 1994
ISBN: 0140544577

Froggy wants to go play in the snow. But everytime he bundles up, he forgets an essential piece of clothing. Any kid who has ever struggled with getting dressed will appreciate this warm and funny tale.

31. BORREGUITA AND THE COYOTE
by Verna Aardma
illustrated by Petra Mathers
Knopf, 1991; Paperback, 1998
ISBN: 0679889361

A clever lamb outwits a hungry coyote in this award-winning tale from Mexico. Mathers' detailed paintings provide many authentic cultural touches.

32. PIGS AHOY!
by David McPhail
Dutton, 1997
ISBN: 0140558195

A pack of madcap pigs turn a cruise ship upside down in this rip-roaring, fun-to-read story.

33. LOTTIE'S NEW BEACH TOWEL
by Petra Mathers
Atheneum, 1998
ISBN: 0689816065

A chicken enjoying a day at the beach? Only Petra Mathers could create such a scenario with such color, charm and warmth. Inventive to be sure, Lottie's imagination helps her turn her new beach towel into a number of useful objects throughout the day.

34. ZOOM
by Istvan Banyai
Viking, 1995; Puffin, 1998
ISBN: 0140557741

A super-cool look at perspective. A close-up of a rooster's comb begins a journey that "zooms" out into a wider picture on each successive spread. From the rooster you zoom out to a farm scene. Zoom out again and you see a boy playing with a toy farm set, and so on. Kids will love this mind-stretching experience.

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