thankful for books

When I was at the library with Gabriel yesterday, I allowed myself a wander through the chapter book section (I can hear Frances now: they're called novels, Mama), skimming my fingers along the many delectable spines that are patiently waiting for us there. Caddie Woodlawn, more Eleanor Estes, the Lord of the Rings books, Little Women, and new potential favorites too, like The Underneath. There is an insatiable part of me that hungers to share novels with my dear ones.

But there is another kind of book, perhaps less obvious and harder to find, that is a pleasure to share with older children who are independent readers. It's the text-heavy picture book, the beautifully-written story that is most certainly not babyish, the illustrated volume that carries with it a bit of danger and mystery. Often these books are fairy tales or adventure stories. Under no circumstances do they feature lessons about how to share or be a good friend at the end. They are for brave, bold, imaginative big kids who are secure enough in their big kid-ness to take on a meaty picture book.

I've been thinking about this because a friend recently asked if I knew of any books of this sort to recommend, plus there's been a whole lot of big kid birthdays this fall and books are our favorite gifts to give. Just in case you also have a six or seven or eight year old in your life who is about to celebrate a birthday, or who may need an extra book for the home library come Christmas or Hanukah, here is a list of beautiful picture books we've enjoyed recently that are absolutely, positively not for babies:

I remember this book from when I was a child. The pictures are extraordinary (no skimping on the blood, fire, or fiery dragon breath) and the story is beautifully told. I don't think Frances and Gabriel breathe when we read Saint George and the Dragon aloud together. Even though they know the Red Cross Knight survives, every time we re-read it the suspense is paralyzing.

This version of the Merlin story is told and illustrated by the St. George dream team, Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman. Frances gobbled it up all by herself before we could read it aloud together. King Arthur, his knights, his faithless lady, and his entire milieu occupied a big, active part of my imagination as a child (reading The Mists of Avalon in the way back seat of our minivan at age 12 on a long driving trip=heaven). I was thrilled when I found this one at the library last week.

The image I found for A Ride on the Red Mare's Back by Ursula K. Le Guin is tiny; the story is decidedly not. A big sister adventures through the forbidding woods in winter to save her brother from awful trolls with the aid of her magical red toy horse. There is just enough darkness here for us to believe it.

This version of Aladdin is a pleasure to read aloud, and the illustrations are fun. Lots of pointy beards, huge well-muscled genies, brilliant jewels and shining palaces. It was all fabulous enough for Gabriel to withstand the picture-less pages, knowing that eventually we'd turn the page to find another magical scene worth the wait.

I guess The Iron Giant was recently turned into an animated movie for children. I can't help but be suspicious. This book is so strange and unnerving, it's hard to imagine...but who knows? Maybe you've seen it and it's good. The illustrations in this Iron Giant are evocative, graphic, and suit the spare language and poetic logic of the story perfectly. I'm not sure that I even liked it, but my children were absolutely rapt. Its weirdness is what makes it so compelling, and my general take when it comes to art is that weird is good. I'd love to hear from some of you think about this one.

Brave Irene is an old favorite, and really any William Steig picture book could have made this list. I love the way Steig luxuriates in language, pushing descriptions so much farther than any other children's author I can think of. He also grants his characters big, bold feelings (I am thinking of the parents' grief in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, or Amos' spiritual ecstasy before the splendor of nature on the deck of his boat in the very fine Amos and Boris). In this story, determined Irene braves a fierce and battle-ready icy wind to do an errand for her poor sick mama. 

Finally, the New York Times just published its list of best illustrated books of 2011, and this one caught my eye. I know, I know, Brother Sun Sister Moon can hardly be a wild adventure tale, but it looks so nicely done!

Do you have any good titles to add to the list? Do share!

(In other news: I recently started a Facebook page for Homemade Time, where I'll link to new posts and other items. If you have a minute, please come visit and click 'like'!)