Picture books we love to read aloud!

As a mama of two little girls (ages 3 and 6), teacher and former children's librarian, I love finding a good read-aloud picture book! 

What makes a great picture book?  That varies.  But I know we've found one when all four of us want to read it multiple times, sometimes twice or more in a row, during the week that we borrow it from the library.  

For myself and for my sister and for anyone else who is interested, here are our family favorite library books of the week: 

Brave Irene, by William Steig

Oh, how we love to root for Irene as she struggles through the snow to deliver the dress her mama made for the duchess.  And oh, how we love to curse the wind as it tosses Irene about.  And oh, how we love the tender relationship Irene has with her mama, who knows better than anyone what a precious girl Irene is.

Hush! A Thai Lullaby, by Minfong Ho

I remember reading this with E when she was even littler than M is now.  E and M both giggle as the baby slips out of her hammock, hangs like a monkey from the porch railing, etc., not sleeping at all while her mama asks the jungle creatures to hush while her baby sleeps.

Toot and Puddle, by Holly Hobbie

Toot wants to travel the world, but Puddle is extremely content - delighted, even - to stay home enjoying life at Woodcock Pocket.  The two friends are happy together and happy apart.  We had a neat family discussion about which we feel like more often, the adventurous Toot or homebody, Puddle.  "I'm in between," says E.