Best of
Picture-Books

1984

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick


Chris Van Allsburg - 1984
    A fictional editor's note tells of an encounter with an author and illustrator named Harris Burdick, who provided the images and captions as samples, each from a different picture book he had written. He left with a promise to deliver the complete manuscripts if the editor chose to buy the books. Burdick was never seen again, and the samples are all that remain of his supposed books. Readers are challenged to imagine their own stories based on the images in the book.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge


Mem Fox - 1984
    Of course, his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she has four names just as he does. The only problem is Miss Nancy, who is 96, has "lost" her memory. Undaunted, Wilfred sets out to "find" Miss Nancy's memory for her. Full-color illustrations.

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear


Don Wood - 1984
    Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the bear... How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red, ripe strawberry.

The Balloon Tree


Phoebe Gilman - 1984
    Little princess Leora likes balloons very much, but her evil uncle hates balloons and he destroys all the balloons except one.

Grandfather Twilight


Barbara Helen Berger - 1984
    Little birds hush as he walks by, and the rabbits and other small woodland creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task and returns to his house among the trees. Small readers and listeners, too, will sense the serenity of this poetic story, and will be comforted to learn that the twilight is a gentle, friendly time.Exquisite pictures extend and illuminate the text, to reveal the nightly miracle so faithfully performed by Grandfather Twilight. Perfect for reading aloud and for sharing at bedtime, this beautiful and reassuring book will be cherished by old and young alike.

The Napping House


Audrey Wood - 1984
    Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book, New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, Golden Kite Award winner, California Young Reader Medal winner, Booklist Editors’ Choice

The Sleeping Beauty


Mercer Mayer - 1984
    The author/artist has embellished this folktale of the princess who sleeps under an evil spell for 100 years with some details of his own.

Badger's Parting Gifts


Susan Varley - 1984
    His friends learn to come to terms with his death in an enchanting tale. With full colour illustrations throughout.

Saint George and the Dragon


Margaret Hodges - 1984
    George and the Dragon commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Caldecott Award-winning picture book. Hodges retells an exciting segment from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, in which the Red Cross Knight slays a dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years, bringing peace and joy back to the land. Featuring a fresh new cover design - with artwork that highlights the dragon adventure within - and distinctive embossed gold Caldecott Award sticker, this is the perfect way to introduce the classic tale to a whole new generation of readers.

Arthur's Christmas


Marc Brown - 1984
    Christmas is only days away and Arthur can't find the perfect gift to give Santa! Finally, he has an idea and with a little help from his sister, Christmas will be a success!

An Evening at Alfie's


Shirley Hughes - 1984
    . . a leaky pipe leads to a big problem—can Alfie help patch everything up?  Mom and Dad have gone out for the night, leaving Maureen MacNally to look after Alfie and Annie Rose. Everything is quiet until water starts dripping from the ceiling. With a little help from Mr. and Mrs. MacNally, the leak is soon under control, but only Alfie can figure out why Annie Rose is still upset.

The Story of Jumping Mouse


John Steptoe - 1984
    He faces many obstacles on his quest and sacrifices much to help others in need. But the mouse's compassion and faith in himself prove to be a source of great power...and bring him rewards even beyond his dreams.

George and Martha Back in Town


James Marshall - 1984
    Five additional stories about the friendship between two hippos: "The Box," "The High Board," "The Trick," "The Job," "The Book."

Kiss Good Night


Amy Hest - 1984
    In the little white house, Mrs. Bear was putting Sam to bed.Outside, the wind blows and the rain comes down. Inside, it is Sam'sbedtime. Mrs. Bear reads him a story, tucks him in, and brings him warm milk. "Are you ready now, Sam?" she asks. "I'm waiting," he says. What else does Sam need before he'll go to sleep? Could Mrs. Bear have forgotten a kiss? Now this NEW YORK TIMES best-selling story by two of the most beloved picture book creators is available in a board book edition suitable for the youngest listeners.

Sisters


David McPhail - 1984
    But there is one heartfelt way in which they are most alike—they love each other so very much. David McPhail's celebration of the joys—and trials—of sisterhood has been a favorite with sisters of all ages for almost twenty years. Now published in full color for the first time, in its original intimate size, a new generation of sisters will love to read this treasure . . . together.Features a presentation page, a personal touch for gift giving.

How My Parents Learned to Eat


Ina R. Friedman - 1984
    An American sailor courts a young Japanese woman and each tries, in secret, to learn the other's way of eating.

Goose Eggs


E.J. Taylor - 1984
    Ruby, Violet, and Miss Biscuit spend a busy summer caring for the garden and their newly acquired animals, especially Hannah the goose who catches a chill while sitting on her eggs in a rainstorm.

Katie Morag Delivers the Mail


Mairi Hedderwick - 1984
    . . Whether she's mixed up in a parcel-posting problem; having bright ideas to help Grannie Island out of a spot of sheep trouble or planning the best wedding ever, children's favourite Katie Morag McColl guarantees a story to cherish! KATIE MORAG DELIVERS THE MAIL When the village mail gets muddled, it's up to Katie Morag to sort things out - with a little help from Grannie Island and her tractor. . .

The Room


Mordicai Gerstein - 1984
    Presents glimpses of the many people who have lived in a room that is once again for rent.

A Mouse's Tale


Naomi C. Lewis - 1984
    A poor church mouse is sent on a dangerous difficult quest in order to win the hand of his sweetheart, Princess Barley Mow.

The Diverting Tale of the Radish and the Shoe


Louise Jalbert - 1984
    

Two Pesos for Catalina


Ann Kirn - 1984
    What does she buy?

The Boy Who Painted the Sun


Jill Morris - 1984
    A boy who misses his home in the country brings beauty to his new drab city home with a paintbox.

Town & Country


Alice Provensen - 1984
    Describes life in a big city and on a farm near a village.

Two Bunnykins out to Tea


Warrener - 1984
    Brother and sister bunnies quarrel over sharing a dollybunny their grandmother made them, until that wise lady finds a very satisfactory solution.

Teep and Beep Go to Sleep


Mercer Mayer - 1984
    

Vegetable Thieves


Inga Moore - 1984
    

Dollhouse People: A Doll Family You Can Make


Tracey Campbell Pearson - 1984
    Includes a family history.

Miss Mouse Takes a Holiday


Dorothea King - 1984
    Miss Mouse expects to have a relaxing holiday when she agrees to spend a week baby-sitting for her cousin Alice's children.

I Want to See the Moon


Louis Baum - 1984
    Despite such distractions as going to the bathroom, looking at his book, and playing with his building blocks, young Toby eventually gets his oft-repeated wish to see the moon.

Towser and the Terrible Thing


Tony Ross - 1984
    

Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street


Patricia Grace - 1984
    To each he gives an article of clothing for dancing, or a musical instrument. The children are all from different ethnic communities living in New Zealand. On Champion Street the children all come together and dance all day and all night.

Bizzy Bones and Uncle Ezra


Jacqueline Briggs Martin - 1984
    A young mouse named Bizzy Bones is afraid the wind will blow away the old shoe that is his home, but his Uncle Ezra helps him overcome his fear.

Rabbits (Natural Pop-Ups)


Graham Tarrant - 1984
    Brief text and movable illustrations introduce the physical characteristics and habits of rabbits living in their natural habitat.

Don't Tell Me a Ghost Story


Phyllis Eisenberg - 1984
    An older brother tells a scary ghost story to his younger brother, only to have the tables turned on him.

The Musicians of Bremen


Linda M. Jennings - 1984
    Four old animals destined for destruction leave home to become town musicians, but find something even better on the way to Bremen.

Uncle Traveling Matt's Adventures in Outer Space


Diane Dawson Hearn - 1984
    Anna gets a package of seeds for her birthday in February and she plants and cares for them and other flowers that grow in the garden throughout the year.

Grandmother's Adobe Dollhouse


MaryLou M. Smith - 1984
    . . combines charm, warmth and a keen sense of New Mexico's unique cultural and architectural traditions into one lovely package. . . ."--Charlene Cerny, former director, Museum of International Folk Art". . . the pronunciations of Spanish words really help kids. The pictures really give the book its charm and you get a better idea about what is written. . . ."--Danielle Arsola, 11-year-old New Mexico student

I Know a Lady


Charlotte Zolotow - 1984
    Sally describes a loving and lovable old lady in her neighborhood who grows flowers, waves to children when they pass her house, and bakes cookies for them at Christmas.

Gremlins: To Catch a Gremlin


Michael Teitelbaum - 1984
    

Prayers to the Boy Jesus


Lawrence G. Lovasik - 1984
    Illustrated in full color.

MAMA DONT ALLOW


Hurd - 1984
    Miles and the Swamp Band have the time of their lives playing at the Alligator Ball, until they discover the menu includes Swamp Band soup.

Kyle's Bath


Peter Eyvindson - 1984
    He decides on a plan to excuse him from ever having to take one again. But will it work?

Jafta-The Journey


Hugh Lewin - 1984
    These titles will be a welcome and much-needed addition to multicultural collections". -- School Library Journal (starred review, 5/83)

Learn to Count with Little Rabbit


J.P. Miller - 1984
    

Victoria and the Crowded Pocket


Carolyn Sloan - 1984
    

The Racey Helps Picture Book


Celia Barlow - 1984
    

David and Goliath


Tomie dePaola - 1984
    

The World Treasury of Children's Literature: Book One


Clifton Fadiman - 1984
    

Wee Peter Puffin


Jane D. Weinberger - 1984
    Jane Weinberger and Alek Kardas accurately depict puffins in their native habitat.

Wobble Pop


John Burningham - 1984
    The text, a single word accompanying each illustration, is designed to serve as an introduction to reading.

Julie and the Duckling


Jane Carruth - 1984
    Children's Book

The Eight Beatitudes


Lawrence G. Lovasik - 1984
    Illustrated in full color.

Come to the Meadow


Anna Grossnickle Hines - 1984
    A little girl is eager to share the delights of the meadow with her family, but everyone is too busy until Granny suggests a picnic.