The Pennsylvania Center for the Book works with hundreds of children's books each year while preparing booklists, activities, and curriculum materials. Our Family Literacy Activities web site is designed to help parents and caregivers fill each child's world with books and a love of books. We consider these 13 titles-a Baker's Dozen-to be the very best picture books published in 2003. They fulfill the goals of family literacy programs across the nation: to create lifelong readers and lovers of books and to start with the youngest audience-preschool children.

All Aboard!: A True Train Story, written and photographed by Susan Kuklin. Orchard, 2003

Richly detailed photographs take children through the Colorado Rocky Mountains on a steam train. The rhythmic text highlights the fascinating mechanical noises of chugs, click-clacks, whoos, and hisses that children will love to repeat. The “Train Talk” pages at the end of the book present additional vocabulary and facts related to trains, tracks, and whistles.

Digger Man, written by Andrea Zimmerman, illustrated by David Clemesha.
Holt, 2003.

Children fascinated by big machines will identify with the narrator of Digger Man. The bright acrylic illustrations detail the delight of building and creating a park with a massive earthmover. The narrative highlights a special sibling bond, with a big brother waiting to teach his little brother the joys of diggers. Child friendly language will encourage reading often and reading along. See also Fire Engine Man.

Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs, written by Ian Whybrow, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds.
Random, 2003.
(Originally published as Sammy and the Dinosaurs by Orchard, © 1999).

Children who love dinosaurs will love this story about Harry and his dinosaur friends. Readers learn the real names of their favorite dinos, and parents will appreciate the handy pronunciation guide on the end pages. The story has special appeal for children who personify their toys or talk with “imaginary” friends. This book may also be used to engage children in discussions about getting along with siblings and other family members who upset them.

Hi, Harry! The Moving Story of How One Slow Tortoise Slowly Made a Friend, written by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Barbara Firth.
Candlewick, 2003.

Harry is a very, very slow tortoise, who wants to find a friend, but everyone else is too fast. Slowly, slowly, Harry sets out to find a friend who has time to play with a tortoise. The ink and watercolor pictures give a sense of gentle movement that will take young listeners along Harry’s meandering journey to look for the perfect friend. Harry’s hopeful persistence makes for a great read-aloud book on the pleasures of friendship.

Lots of Feelings, written and photographed by Shelley Rotner.
Millbrook, 2003. (also available in paperback).

This book celebrates the diversity of emotions through photographs of multiracial children. This collection of various facial expressions can help young readers to learn about their emotions and how to recognize them in others. Hand mirrors can encourage children to mimic the facial expressions they see as they read along.

Oh, Brother, written and illustrated by Kathy Mallat.
Walker, 2003.

Families with young siblings will recognize the frustration and joy in Baby’s relationship with Brother when he teases her by taking her blankie. The rabbit characters and the brightly striped red and white blankie are drawn with a simple soft stuffed animal feel making dramatic play with children’s own toys a natural extension activity. Be sure to point out the author’s picture as a child with her own brother to whom she refers in the dedication as “Jimmy-don’t.”

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? written by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle.
Holt, 2003.

This book applies the rhythmic question-answer pattern of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? to exotic endangered animals. Carle’s vibrant illustrations showcase each animal in his trademark technique of painted tissue paper collage that is recognizable to many young children. This predictable picture book will be a welcome addition to children who love animals and to lessons around animal themes. It introduces ten threatened animals to young children in a comfortable and familiar way.

Raccoon Tune, written by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Howard Fine.
Holt, 2003.

With vivid rhythm that is fun to read aloud, a raccoon family goes on a nighttime prowl for supper that lands them in a misadventure when they encounter a closed trashcan. The pictures spotlight the lively action and will provoke much laughter from young readers. The humorous ending will satisfy children as much as the mischievous raccoons.

Straight to the Pole, written and illustrated by Kevin O’Malley.
Walker, 2003.

A child, well wrapped in winter gear, is going to school in a snowstorm. Every step is tough. It is such a battle. He feels he can’t go on. Is there a rescue? The words in this book are simple and easy to read. The lively pictures tell a part of the story and clue the readers to the child’s overactive imagination. This is a perfect read-aloud after a fast sled run or on a “school has been closed” snow day.

Ten Puppies, written and illustrated by Lynn Reiser.
Greenwillow, 2003.

In a book that celebrates uniqueness, Mother Dog has ten puppies that are all different from one another. The simple watercolor pictures show that some of the puppies have pointed noses, others have flat ones, some of them have blue eyes, and others have brown ones. With the lively exuberance of a basketful of puppies, this book introduces the concepts of shapes and colors, as well as the different number combinations that make ten.

Tippy-Toe Chick, Go! written by George Shannon, illustrated by Laura Dronzek.
Greenwillow, 2003.

When a big grumpy dog blocks the way to Hen's and Chicks' favorite breakfast of "sweet itty-bitty beans and potato bugs," it is Little Chick who creatively finds a way into the garden. The bright acrylic illustrations vividly convey the character's emotions. (Check out the eyebrows on those chicks!) Little Chick's clever problem solving skills will prompt discussions on how even the littlest family members can help out.

Where’s Pup? written by Dayle Ann Dodds, illustrated by Pierre Pratt.
Dial, 2003.

A clown’s walk through the circus in search of his puppy partner is playfully told in rhyming couplets. The warm jewel tones of the acrylic paints create a lush backdrop for the circus silliness. A special fold out flap finds pup in a most amazing location.

Yikes! written and illustrated by Robert Florczak.
Blue Sky, 2003.

Take an imaginary journey to the habitats of wild creatures around the world with this picture book which contains very few words. Filling each exciting two-page spread are bold and richly colored illustrations that move the adventure forward. Readers will want to take time, though, to look for the hidden insects on each page. The information on the reference page will extend their interest in the animals. With its large format, this is a perfect book for a group read-aloud.