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Classic Picture Book SeriesStories of Skunks, Mice, Hippos and Toads for 5-8 year olds
Children love to read books that come in series. These classic authors have created sequential tales featuring a host of memorable animal characters.
When children hear a book read to them whose illustrations or story telling style have instant appeal, they often want to read another one just like it! These four classic children's authors have written series of books either on a particular character or on a certain animal type. All of these stories impart lessons on the importance of rules, the necessity of accepting differences, and the values of friendship. They do so, however, through humour, engaging illustrations and poignant detail. You will want to read them to your child over and over again until they can read them on their own. Russell Hoban's Frances BooksHoban's tales of a willful and musical skunk girl were written in the sixties. There are seven books in the series:
All are delightful and memorable tales. For instance, in the first book, Frances displays an overactive imagination after her parents put her to bed, thinking there are monsters and tigers in her room. After pestering her parents for a while, Frances eventually falls asleep, learning something about independence in the process. The importance of sharing, gender equality and growing up are also messages found in these sweet books, illustrated by Garth Williams. Leo Lionni's Mouse StoriesLionni wrote and illustrated these tales from the late sixties and seventies, all of which feature different types of mice. In Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, a surreal tale of hope, the protagonist seeks out a mysterious lizard to transform his wind-up friend into a real mouse so that he won't be discarded. His next story, The Greentail Mouse, recounts the somewhat scary story of a group of mice who get caught-up in Mardi Gras festivities to the point that they forget reality. At the end, they understand that it is better to be true to yourself than to wear a mask. Geraldine, the Music Mouse, composed in 1979, features a mouse who finds a huge block of cheese. Carving it, she exposes a flautist mouse who plays music on its tail. She then learns to have faith in her own talents. Lionni wrote other mouse stories too, all illustrated with bold colours and a collagist style that children find appealing. James Marshall's George and Martha TalesEach of Marshall's books on these hilarious hippo companions begins with the sub-title: "Five Stories about Two Great Friends." Every tale is short, full of dialogue and concludes with a subtle moral. George and Martha, George and Martha Rise and Shine and George and Martha Encore follow the encounters of a hippo in a hat and a hippo with a flower behind her ear. They make pea soup, go rollerskating, have picnics and attend dance recitals. Often there are misunderstandings to resolve as when George hates Martha's soup but doesn't tell her until the end when she bakes him cookies instead. The drawings are in cartoon-style, water-coloured and quirky. Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad CollectionAlso written in the seventies and illustrated by Lobel himself, this series about two inseparable friends is an essential read. Lobel's four books on the green frog and the squat toad are designed for early readers from 6-8 years old. Each text features five stories, told mainly through dialogue.
Follow the companions as they fly kites, wait for the mail, plant gardens and ride sleds. Along the way, they learn a lot about facing fears, learning self control, and taking care of each other. The illustrations are tender and muted, evoking the gentle connection between these evocative characters.
The copyright of the article Classic Picture Book Series in Picture Books is owned by Catherine Owen. Permission to republish Classic Picture Book Series in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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