Jackie Azúa Kramer | The Children’s Book Review | June 18, 2019
Award-winning picture book author Jackie Azúa Kramer shares 5 children’s books loved by her family!
Written by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.”
Simply a classic–my kids loved to find and linger over the pictures of the three little bears sitting on chairs, the clocks and his socks, the mittens and the kittens, to the bowl of mush. Including spotting the tiny mouse that peeks out on each page. The quiet poetry and the softly lit illustrations put us all in a warm and cozy state of mind.
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Ages 1 and up | Publisher: Harper Festival | Jan. 23, 2007 | ISBN-13: 978-0694003617
Written by Audrey Penn
Illustrated by Ruth Harper
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to comfort him any time he feels scared. My kids are young adults and we still exchange kissing hands. A gentle touch that reminds us that love endures even we’re apart.
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Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Tanglewood | 1993 | ISBN-13: 978-1933718002
Written by Martin Waddell
Illustrated by Patrick Benson
“I want my mommy!” Three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, and they can’t help but wonder where she is. When will she be back? What scary things move all around them? Terrific illustrations that capture the little owls as they worry. My kids loved to act out the part of each of the adorable owls. They joyously flapped, danced and bounced greeting my return as mother owl with hugs and kisses.
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Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Candlewick | 1975 | ISBN-13: 978-0763695194
Written and Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day and all the possibilities of the first snowfall. This was the first book that my kids read that introduced a non-white child. Universal in its appeal–the little African-American boy reveals a child’s wonder in the natural world. The hope of capturing and keeping that wonder inspired my kids to fill my freezer with snowballs.
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Ages 2+ | Publisher: Puffin Books | 1976 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0140501827
Written and Illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina
A tale of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is charming and funny. My kids loved the peddlers neatly stacked and colorful caps. Once again, they loved to play act the peddler’s efforts to outsmart the monkeys. Stomping and shouting and jumping and behaving like little monkeys, too. The simple and engaging story also was a primer for problem solving.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 1987 (Reissue) | ISBN-13: 978-0064431439
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About Jackie Azúa Kramer
Jackie Azúa Kramer studied acting and voice at NYU and earned her MA, Queens College, Counseling in Education. Jackie has worked as an actor, singer, and school counselor. Her work with children presented her an opportunity to address their concerns, secrets and hopes through storytelling. Now she spends her time writing children’s picture books. Her picture books include, the award-winning The Green Umbrella (2017 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year), If You Want to Fall Asleep and That’s for Babies. Upcoming books: The Boy and the Eight Hundred Pound Gorilla (Candlewick, 2020); I Wish You Knew (Roaring Brook, 2021); We Are One (Two Lions, TBD); Miles Won’t Smile (Clavis, TBD).
Jackie lives with her family in Long Island, NY. When not writing, you’ll find Jackie reading, watching old movies and globe trekking.
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Written by Jackie Azúa Kramer
Illustrated by
Synopsis: In That’s for Babies, on the morning of little Prunella’s birthday, she announces she’s a big girl, and ready for adventure. But one dark and stormy night, she discovers that growing up is a series of small milestones…two steps forward and one step back.
I loved writing this story that shares it’s okay for big girls to play and imagine, explore and be vulnerable.
Ages 5-6 | Publisher: Clavis | June 25, 2019 |ISBN-13: 978-1605374550
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Jackie Azúa Kramer, author of That’s for Babies, selected these five family favorites. Discover more articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with Family Favorites.