Our Newsroom's Top Picks for Children's Books. What's Yours?

VTDigger’s editors and reporters are weighing in with our favorite childhood books and we want to hear yours too!

There are only days left in VTDigger’s Spring Membership Drive. If you can, please pitch in to help us reach our goal of sending new children’s books to 3,000 Vermont kids for summer reading. We are sending one book for each donation we receive through our partnership with the Children’s Literacy Foundation.

We have 100 members left to go by Sunday to unlock a $15,000 match from generous friends of VTDigger. Help us meet this challenge by donating and sending a book today.

On the heels of a heartwarming children’s Earth Day event with Caldecott award-winning author Jason Chin, we are all feeling a bit inspired.

Donate now and leave us the title of your favorite childhood book in the comment box.

Our Newsroom’s Favorite Childhood Books

The Runaway Bunny
by Margaret Wise Brown

I love the poetic way in which Margaret Wise Brown visualizes the unconditional love of a parent for a child.
Founder and Executive Director

The Rinky-Dink Cafe
by Maggie S. Davis

My mom read it with really animated character voices!
Natalie Williams, News Editor

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
by Virginia Lee Burton

In automation, as in industrialization, it’s always important to consider the people affected by these processes. That makes for good storytelling, and for good journalism. And of course I feel a kinship with Mike, from one hard-working Irishman to another!
Seamus McAvoy, Intern

Heckedy Peg
by Audrey Wood
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Katya Schwenk, Intern

What is your favorite childhood book? Donate and let us know in the comment box when you give.

Strega Nona
by Tomie dePaola
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James Finn, Intern

Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
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Left: Tom Kearney, Weekend Editor
Right: Jim Welch, Project Manager

If You Give a Moose a Muffin
by Laura Numeroff

The far superior sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!
Xander Landen, Reporter

Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man
by Robert McCloskey

My parents’ commitment to reading to me every night almost certainly led to my love of writing and, therefore, my career choice. Now that I’m a parent, I’m having a blast revisiting the stories I grew up with and discovering others that are new to me — such as my current fave, “Burt Dow, Deep-water Man,” which is definitely the zaniest and most entertaining of the McCloskey oeuvre.
Paul Heintz, Managing Editor

Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak

While I wouldn’t say this book led directly to my interest in journalism, I’ve thought about the way it conveys deep concepts about childhood insecurity and loneliness in a clear, simple way. That’s one thing children’s literature has in common with journalism: Both find ways to say the most with the fewest words possible. Plus, it has great art.
Justin Trombly, Northeast Kingdom Reporter

Magic Tree House books
by Mary Pope Osborne

One of my fondest memories of second grade is reading the Magic Tree House books under my desk while I was supposed to be paying attention in class. I may have flunked a few tests that year, but I developed a lasting love of science fiction and fantasy that has served me well as a writer.
Erin Petenko, Data Reporter

Bread and Jam For Frances
by Russell Hoban

I’m the daughter of a librarian, so children’s literature is probably the only trivia category where you’d want me on your team. I have read this book dozens, if not hundreds of times, and to this day, I can quote nearly all of it from memory. Frances is my point of reference for adventurous eating, navigating family conflict, and defiant self-expression.
Katie Jickling, Reporter

What is your favorite childhood book? Donate and let us know in the comment box when you give.

Maybelle the Cable Car
by Virginia Lee Burton

One of my kid’s recent faves is Maybelle the Cable Car by Virginia Lee Burton. It’s a story about how everyday people can come together to make their voices heard in the face of resistance from those in power – and how things tend to work out better for everyone when they do. (It also has beautiful art and fun sound effects.) Reading it with my two-year-old, I realized how certain books shaped my worldview long before I ever knew books had that power.
Mike Dougherty, Digital Editor

The Sneetches
by Dr. Seuss

One memorable book from my childhood is “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss. The tale it tells of a population divided against itself by an unscrupulous huckster helped me to learn to question the motives of people and reinforce the notion that what brings us together is stronger than what drives us apart.
Glenn Russell, Photographer