5 Favourite (Classic) Picture Books

l adore picture books. I adore reading them and I adore writing them.
If I had to choose, it is the picture book form I am most passionate about writing. 
They are the gateway to loving stories for any child as they grow into adulthood.
Without picture books, we wouldn't have chapter books or middle-grade or adult novels. 
Picture books are always the first step on a journey of lifelong reading.

I have a large collection of Australian and international picture books and it is very difficult to select favourites.
So many to choose from!

​But when I consider carefully, I think my favourite picture books have the following things in common:
- excellent pace and rhythm
-a lot of heart at its core
-sensitive, gentle themes
-dashings of humour
-evocative illustrations that tell a narrative separate to the text
-fantastically-timed page turns
- a twist or satisfying surprise ending

Here are just 5 of my ultimate favourite picture books (a tiny selection and mostly classic, older titles. There are many new, recent favourites I hope to share too!)

 What are your favourite picture books?


1. Amy & Louis by Libby Gleeson
& Freya Blackwood

​2. Tanglewood by Margaret Wild

3. Jessica Joan by Wendy Orr and Ann James

4. Wombat Divine by Mem Fox & Kerry Argent

5. Window by Jeannie Baker