Picture Books I Wish I Had Written
Plain and simple, it’s a characteristic of our species – we compare ourselves to others. Developed in 1954 by Leon Festinger and dubbed the “Social Comparison Theory” Psychology Today explains: “Social comparison theory is the idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.” Can you believe this – “According to some studies, as much as 10 percent of our thoughts [per day] involve comparisons of some kind.”
(source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-comparison-theory#the-dangers-of-comparison)
Sometimes people compare themselves to others for positive reasons – as a way to measure their personal development, it may motivate them to improve or strive for a goal. This can lead to a more positive self-image.
Of course, the opposite paradigm exists as well. Sometimes when people compare themselves to others, with a negative slant, the exercise can create a self-sabotaging monster – one overwhelmed by envy, anger, and brewing resentment. It takes discipline to keep this javelin balanced.
So - in what ways do I compare myself to others? Well . . .
there are some picture books out there that I dearly wish had my name on them. Plain and simple.
I’ve scribbled dozens of ideas into half-formed stories, drafted a good couple of dozen into complete manuscripts, and revised at least half of those into finished picture books after input from critique partners. Polished, but not published – yet. And even though the activity of writing is satisfying all by itself, a great deal of the effort I expend is driven by the aspiration to write a picture book as wonderful as some of my favorites.
And I have a lot of them - gorgeous books that hit all the notes. Here are seven of them:
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. So funny! Touching and humorous celebrating the fabulous innocence of a preschooler and her loving parents.
Snail Crossing written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor. Endearing, humorous, full of kindness and problem solving initiated by friendship.
Dandy by Ame Dyckman and charmingly illustrated by Charles Santoso. Comical and sweet. Another preschooler coyly getting the better of her dad in the way only a little girl can.
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. Such a lovely heart-swelling, tender story told with succinct, childhood innocence against a backdrop of devastating displacement. Makes me cry every time.
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild written and fabulously illustrated by Peter Brown. A cleverly conceived story about diversity and self-expression.
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and gorgeously illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Love the concept examining the status quo and when it’s okay to break the rules. My question is – How did Michelle stumble upon the idea of using a lion in a library to illuminate this notion? This is magic at work!
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Poignant and painful. This one gets me in the solar-plexis.
As I reread these delicious stories, the kaleidoscope of themes that keeps repeating itself are childhood innocence, sweetness, friendship, kindness, acceptance, tolerance, and parental love. Aren’t these precisely the thought-provoking ideals we hope to expand our youngsters’ minds with when they’re nestled in our arms as newborn babes?
