Picture Books I’ll Keep Forever
Some picture books cycle in and out of our home. We’ll read them a few times, enjoy them for a season, and then pass them along when the shelves start to overflow. But then there are the ones that stay. The ones that feel like old friends, that my kids ask for again and again, and that I suspect will still be on my shelf long after sticky fingers and bedtime snuggles have passed.
These are the books I’ll keep forever—not just because they’re charming, but because they’ve worked their way into our family rhythms and into the fabric of our memories. To shop this list, visit my timeless book list here.
The Napping House
This is one of those dreamy, almost song-like books that you never get tired of reading out loud. Everyone in the house piles into bed for a nap—the granny, the child, the dog, the cat, the mouse—until it’s hilariously crowded. The rhythm of the words is so soothing that it’s almost a lullaby, and the illustrations feel soft and whimsical. It’s the perfect rainy afternoon read, and it always reminds me that rest is a gift (even when it’s hard to find in a busy house!).
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Pete is endlessly cool, and this book never fails to make us smile. No matter what he steps in—blueberries, mud, you name it—he just keeps singing his song and moving along. It’s simple, funny, and somehow profound all at once. I love the way it sneaks in a reminder to my kids (and honestly, to me too!) that we don’t have to let every little spill or mess derail our joy.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
This one is quirky and absolutely hilarious. It’s full of fairy tales turned upside down, with characters who break the “rules” of storytelling. It’s playful and unexpected, and it still makes me laugh as an adult. Books like this remind me that sometimes silliness is just as important as seriousness—laughter builds bonds and creates memories that stick.
The Little House
There’s something timeless about this book. The story follows a little house out in the country who watches the world change around her as the city grows closer and closer. It’s nostalgic and a little bittersweet, but ultimately hopeful. Every time I read it, I feel a tug toward simplicity and rootedness—a reminder that “home” is worth protecting and treasuring.
The Story About Ping
This one has been around for generations, and it’s easy to see why. It’s about a little duck on the Yangtze River who gets separated from his family and has to find his way back. It’s tender and thoughtful, but also adventurous enough to keep kids engaged. There’s something comforting about reading a story my own parents or grandparents might have read as children, and it sparks such sweet conversations about family, obedience, and the safety of home.
Frederick
Frederick is a little mouse who doesn’t gather food for winter like the others—he gathers words, colors, and sunshine. And when the coldest, darkest days come, it’s Frederick’s gifts that keep everyone going. I love the poetry of this story—it’s beautiful, gentle, and thoughtful. It always reminds me that we don’t live on bread alone; we need beauty, truth, and imagination, too.
The Name Jar
This book makes me tear up almost every time. It tells the story of a little girl who has just moved to America from Korea. She’s nervous about sharing her Korean name with her new classmates, so she thinks about picking a new one instead. Watching her journey unfold is so tender and powerful, and it sparks conversations with my kids about identity, kindness, and what it means to truly see someone.
These are the books I know I’ll never part with (do I have unrealistic visions of being a grandma who reads these to grandkids? Maybe). They’ve been more than stories in our house—they’ve been companions to our days, markers of our family rhythms, and teachers in their own small ways. Long after my kids have outgrown them, I can imagine pulling them off the shelf to read to visiting little ones or even to sit with on my own.
Because some picture books aren’t just for childhood—they’re for keeps.
To shop this list, visit my timeless book list here.
