It is hard to imagine how many picture book ideas get created every year. From the one’s that never make it to paper, to the one’s that get a kind but definite NO from publishers, to the one’s that become a first draft for what then might be a 1 to 5 year journey from idea to book. There are the standard picture books that have been around for years, that I read in my childhood and I suppose will read to my children one day (although before that I may need to find a husband and stable income, well thats what they tell me anyway). The Pamela Allen books, the Eric Carle books, Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, Beatrix Potter and the list goes on.

However, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and become friends with a Sydney family who was, for lack of words, not so average. The atmosphere in there house from the moment you step in the door is calmness, warmth and happiness. The latter due most likely to the smiling faces of 2 small girls drawing, giggling and glowing with the happiness children seem to produce (when they want to of course). Olivia, the mother of 3 fabulous children had created an environment and atmosphere for her family that I can explain only as unique and one in which I wish I could replicate at home.

After a while we got onto the conversation of children’s book and Olivia was more than happy to show me her children’s and her own favorite children’s books. The collection featured some of the above mentioned authors and the classics and some books needed in every household I believe.  It became clear to me that these books, although not part of the mainstream collections we ship to children, held important lessons for children to learn and where key elements in teaching children the ideals we want them to learn to have.

So here I give you a look into the household of my new found friends, who are kind enough to allow such wiriting of them. Maybe these books are exactly what you had at home or maybe not what you want for your children, but the atmosphere that was around this family, the spirit and awareness of their children and the cultural roundness of the environment became a place that I wanted to be in and I wanted for my children (who have yet to be created.)

Melanie Walsh’s ‘10 things I can do to help my world‘ deals with being environmently friendly. Themes like turning off the tap as you brush your teeth, using both sides of the paper when drawing and planting seeds to grow more plants. These are all ideas we see as good qualities in children and a great way to show them that this is so, is through literature – with colour and creativity and the added adventure of reading (something children are learning to do).

Now to the wonderful Mem Fox and a book that I wish I had for my childhood, one that shows to chlidren acceptance of multiculturalism through showing children’s simularities – not their differences. It is neccassary because children don’t always understand the concept of different skin colours or cultural differences – this book then highlights what we have that is the same. ‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes‘ by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury.

 ‘All I See Is Part of Me‘ was a book that caught my attention as it links children with all of life. Although a children’s book it is one that adults can also enjoy and contemplate as it thinks about seeing and connecting from the soul. It is a lovely book that is one I recommend. Chara M. Curtis and Cynthia Aldrich do a wonderful job in this book to help open the topic of life, spirituality and a deeper meaning to it all.

I actually think that the reason I felt like their book collection was more inclusive of books we don’t see as mainstream is because of two other books that caught my eye, picture books on Frida Kahlo – Someone who I would have imagined (after viewing in high school her painting of her giving birth to herself) was not the ideal subject matter for a children’s book. However they are a blog all on their own, so keep your eye open for those (especially if you’re an art nut or appreciate Miss Kahlo’s work).

-Leah