Ole Risom (1919–2000)

I know I had this book when I was little, but opening the pages for the first time was a revelation. The illustrations are each more gorgeous than the last, and the spare words lend themselves to being read aloud in a quiet voice to calm a very crazy small child. The first sentence is my favorite: "I am a bunny. My name is Nicholas." This might be my favorite kids' book.

This book is perfect. It was my first book, and it still gives me the strongest possible cozy feeling. The bunny is adorable, and the sweeping vista illustrations add so much to the experience of the book. The idea of a little toadstool being an umbrella for littler creatures was, and still is, the cutest thing I can fathom. It probably explains my love for mushrooms and my delve into fairy lore. I couldn't contain my feels and live-tweeted my reread here: show more target="_top">https://twitter.com/hissingpotatoes/status/1210327004941340673. show less

This book is, quite literally, the FIRST book I ever read. It was read to me many, many times. I very clearly remember the day that I wanted my mother to read it to me, but she was doing something else at the time, so I sat in the doorway of my closet and opened it up, wanting to look at the pictures again, at least.
And suddenly.
I knew how the words went, because I could have recited it to you from memory.
But now the words on the page connected with the words in my head.
And I was off to the show more races for the rest of my life.
I still own the book.
I may never have a child of my own to read it to, but someday it will be passed along to someone who will love it as much as I did, and still do. show less

I love this book so much. First, the illustrations by Richard Scarry take me back to the books I used to look at when I was a little, little girl. Secondly, the story is sweet and simple. It is about a little bunny's romp through nature during the four seasons. Reading this books makes me feel warmy and fuzzy on the inside. Finally, this oversized board book was one of the first books I used to read to my oldest daughter when she was a toddler. She used to sit on my lap, and I would read show more this to her then I just kiss her chubby cheeks over and over. She loved having me read to her. The simple words, the bright colors, and the expressive character make this book the perfect addition to any baby's beginning library. show less