The Books That Shaped Me and How They Still Influence My Work
Long before I was writing books of my own, I was a kid curled up on the bright blue floral couch, listening to my grandma read stories aloud that still echo in my mind. I can actually still hear her voice as I look at them today. Some of those books are long out of print, some are classics and some are totally unexpected.
But all of them left a mark.
As a writer and creator, I often find parallels of my work in these early favorites. They shaped the way I see stories, the way I use color, rhythm, and humor. And the way I try to connect with kids and the grown-ups who read to them.
So here’s a little window into my childhood bookshelf and the stories that made me want to tell my own.
🐱 Kittens Are Like That by Jan Pfloog
This gentle classic might be out of print, but I still hear my grandma’s voice when I flip through its pages. The illustrations were incredibly detailed (those tiny paws!) and the kittens felt so real. It’s one of those books that sparked my early love for animals, and for books with heart. I love that the garage sale sticker is still on it too.
🐶 Big Dog… Little Dog by P.D. Eastman
Another read-together staple from my grandma’s shelf. This sweet story about two very different dogs, and how their differences make their friendship even stronger, really stuck with me. Even now, it reminds me why we should celebrate what makes us unique. We mustve gotten this one from the same garage sale, but this one was 15 cents!
🐛 Feely Bugs by David A. Carter
If your kid loves touch and feel books, this one is a must. I’m super happy to see that it’s still in print today! Each page features a new textured bug, from fuzzy to bumpy, and I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s a perfect pick for toddlers who love interactive reading time.
🌟 Pokemon Adventure Series #1: Bye Bye Butterfree (Golden Books)
This one was everything to me as a Pokémon-obsessed kid. I loved Ash’s bittersweet choice to let Butterfree go free. A surprisingly emotional message about empathy and letting go. Plus, there was a Pokémon sticker mail-in form in the back, and yes, I absolutely used it. $1 at Dollar General? What a steal!
🐊 The Lady With the Alligator Purse by Nadine Bernard Westcott
This one made me laugh every single time. Written in rhyming verse with wild illustrations, it had the kind of silliness I now try to bring into my own children’s books. It’s a great rhyming picture book to read aloud.
🥨 Pretzel by Margret Rey, illustrated by H.A. Rey
The colors in Pretzel were simple, bold, bright, and unforgettable. As a visual kid, I was always drawn to it on the shelf. When I created Percy the Pickle’s Space Adventure I found myself thinking back to that same saturated style. It was a quiet influence, but a real one. I never knew it was written by the creators of Curious George! How cool!
🐾 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Of course this had to make the list. While it wasn’t my favorite personally, it was on my shelf, and it remains one of the most well-known classic children’s books of all time. It’s a staple for a reason. The art style is unique and iconic, and I try to bring that into my books as well.
What Books Made You Feel Seen?
If you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or just someone who loves children’s books: Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.
These early favorites remind me why stories matter so much, especially the ones read on repeat, the ones with silly rhymes, soft textures, or surprisingly emotional endings.
I make books now too. If you’d like to see the kind of stories I write, you can explore them right here. But for now, I hope this list brought back a memory, or maybe sparked a new curiosity.
Thanks for reading.
