What’s on My Bookshelf? A Peek at Some Beloved Children’s Books
The best children’s books aren’t just for kids—they hold meaning at every stage of life. Some books bring us comfort, some make us laugh, and others help us understand ourselves a little better. Today, I’m sharing a few favourites from my personal bookshelf—books that have stuck with me and shaped the way I see the world.
Cry, Heart, But Never Break – Glenn Ringtved, illustrated by Charlotte Pardi
This book found me when I needed it most. After a death in my family, Cry, Heart, But Never Break gave me a kind of solace I didn’t know I was looking for. It tells the story of four children who try to stop Death from taking their grandmother, only to learn that sorrow and joy must exist together. Death, in this book, is not cruel or frightening but patient and wise. The soft watercolour illustrations add to its gentleness, making it one of the most beautiful and compassionate books about loss I’ve ever read.
The Missing Piece – Shel Silverstein
I’ve always loved Shel Silverstein’s books, but this one in particular feels like an old friend. It follows a little circular character searching for its missing piece, believing that only once it finds the right fit will it be complete. I read this book at a time when I, too, was searching for something outside myself to make me feel whole. It’s funny, a little sad, and incredibly wise.
The Missing Piece Meets the Big O – Shel Silverstein
If The Missing Piece captured one phase of my life, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O captured the next. This time, instead of looking for something to complete it, the character learns that fulfillment comes from growing and moving on its own. It’s a beautiful metaphor for relationships, self-discovery, and learning to be whole on your own terms. It took me years to realize that I didn’t need to be “completed” by someone else—but Shel Silverstein had it figured out long before I did.
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Is there a better feminist classic in children’s literature? I first read The Paper Bag Princess as a kid, and I still love it just as much as an adult. Princess Elizabeth outsmarts a dragon, rescues herself, and then—best of all—realizes that Prince Ronald isn’t worth the trouble. I recently bought the board book version for my daughter because Princess Elizabeth is exactly the kind of role model I want her to grow up with!
Little Pea – Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace
This book is super cute. Little Pea is about a pea who loves everything about life—except that he has to eat candy for dinner before he can have his favourite food: spinach. It’s a hilarious little role-reversal that kids love. I’ve gifted this book to so many new moms because it’s the perfect combination of sweet, clever, and just the right amount of ridiculous.
The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered – Jack Kurland, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
At first glance, this book seems to be about a cat who’s just lazy—but it’s so much more than that. This cat can’t be bothered because he’s depressed. He doesn’t want to play, doesn’t want to move, and nothing seems to interest him. The story gently explores what it means to feel low and how kindness can help. It’s a thoughtful and important book, especially for kids who might be struggling with emotions they don’t have words for yet.
Each of these books has meant something different to me at different times in my life. Some have helped me through loss, some have helped me understand myself better, and some are just pure fun. That’s the magic of children’s books—they grow with us.
