So, this is probably my biggest secret to date, and I’ve finally decided to share it; I love reading children’s picture books! You know the ones—they cost like $16 on average at your local bookstore. That being said, they’re usually filled with humor, a good moral and such amazing artwork, that the price seems insignificant at that point. I think reading books written for kids reminds me of my childhood (especially if I’m reading one of the books I grew up with). It does something else though; reading children’s picture books reminds me how to have fun, be imaginative and that things like friends and family are what truly matter.

On a side note, my husband sometimes reads those books to me, and he always comes up with these insanely hilarious, inventive voices! My husband originally started reading books to me, kind of as a joke, when we were still dating. We started by reading stories by Edgar Allan Poe and Edward Gorey. As time went on, I received boxes from my parents of books I grew up with. I wanted to share those memories and those stories with my husband. He humored me, and after I had my tonsils removed in the winter of 2012, he would read to me to help me fall asleep, since I was in bed most of the time. After that, it just kind of stuck as part of my bedtime ritual. I think my dogs enjoy story time too, because we read just before bed, when we’re all together. I think, though, that reading those stories reminds my husband how to be silly, and that it’s OK to get lost in a land of goofiness for a few minutes. These books enable me to get lost in a perfect world and daydream about the day when it’s me and my hubby reading to our own kids.

All that personal info aside though, what do children’s books stand for? What do they mean to adults? I feel that they’ve made a real contribution, and not just for kids, but for the adults who’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a kid. Whether you just miss being young, or you’re looking for a way to find common ground and bond with a kiddo in your own life, children’s books seem to have the answer for just about everything. They sum up problems without over-analyzing them. They’re able to get to the heart of the matter, while still speaking to those who feel unheard. Reading a book written for kids is like starting a revolution in your soul. It’s the quickest way to feel inspired, because those books aim to inspire those who’ve not yet begun to live. So forget your age for 10 minutes, and let those words and pictures change you. They’ll help you see people and things in a whole new way. They'll change what you appreciate. It allows you to look at life as one big, intricate, beautiful painting. Children’s books do more than just help us relate to our younger selves, they help us relate to our current selves. With plenty of wit and insight to go around, children’s books just might be the quick pick-me-up you’ve been looking for! I’ve included a list of my top 10 personal favorite titles, and I think they all convey wonderful, inspiring messages to both kids and adults!

10. "Weslandia," by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

This book teaches (no matter how old the reader might be) that just because you’re different, doesn’t make you strange. Just because you like to learn, doesn’t make you a dork, and just because you have innovative ideas that your friends don’t understand, does not make your concepts stupid. You are not crazy, you’re just more unique than most, and being unique is a great thing!

9. "Matilda in the Middle," written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

This is a wonderful tale that fights to be fanciful, amidst an ironic reality. The goal is ballet, the backdrop is family. The protagonist is a little bunny named Matilda, who is constantly finding herself getting lost in the shuffle which is her family. Together, these elements make a delightful combination, in this endearing story fit for anyone squished between a dream and a constantly-in-the-way-but-all-the-while-well-meaning family.

8. "Your Alien," by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Goro Fujita

In this story, we meet a little boy who meets an alien. Pretty simple plot overall, but it’s the underlying emotion that makes this story so powerful. It’s about welcoming someone new into your life with openness and a willingness to understand them. It also shows having to let go of someone or something in order for them to thrive. There is a selflessness in the story, and it shows how when things get tough, when friends move away, your family will be right around the corner, ready with hugs.

7. "My Pet Book," written and illustrated by Bob Staake

This book's stunning artwork is so enchanting. It’s like a futuristic take on that mid-century modern style of art! This book weaves a Seuss-like spell as it depicts a child looking for a different sort of pet. A delightfully creative story, brimming with all the excitement of a big city, and all the comfort and constancy of a library.

6. "Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great," written and illustrated by Bob Shea

This story helps remind us that while we might be jealous of someone else from time to time, chances are, that person is jealous of us too! It makes us conscious of the fact that we’re not the only ones who feel those twinges of envy. It’s how we handle it that’s important. The way Unicorn admires Goat, rather than scoffing at him, is a testament to while we may wish we had a skill or attribute that someone else has, we don’t have to be angry or feel insecure about it if we don't. If we refrain from lashing out, we might just realize that there’s more to that person than we originally thought. Maybe we’ll discover that they’re more than who we first imagined. No one is perfect, and someone out there wishes they were more like you too. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. You have a lot to be proud of, starting with recognizing your philosophies, strengths, talents and values!

5. "A Bedtime for Bear," by Bonnie Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

This book is one of the funniest stories that you’ll ever read, yet it will still put you in the mood to get some sleep. This book is charming and whimsical, as it weaves a story of Bear, his friend Mouse and their first sleepover together. A few problems arise due to variances in sleep styles, routines and personality quirks, but this is a perfect lesson in accepting others’ differences while still maintaining a solid friendship. It’s a heartwarming and humorous tale designed to make even the grumpiest of big bears smile. (Check out the rest of this series of the infamous Bear and Mouse duo, and their comical antics!)

4. "Wemberly Worried," written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

This book is perfect for those who are feeling worried about a big change, and for those who are just chronic worriers in general. A story about the importance of letting go of worry and stress, Wemberly leans on her loving and supportive family to help see her through the tough changes of life. New school means new friends (and potential foes) to meet, new teachers to impress, new outfits to wear…all invoking the “spotlight effect.” (In my Psychology class, this is described as when a person thinks that they’re being singled out, and henceforth watched and judged by other people.) While Wemberly’s worries are definitely common and natural, she soon learns that worrying doesn’t solve problems. Sometimes the best way to gain peace of mind is to just live in the moment and forget about the things you can’t control that are troubling you.

3. "Enemy Pie," by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King

This is a wonderfully inventive story, and while it’s not a new release, it’s definitely worth the read! This book instills in kids and adults alike, that while we may not always get along with everyone, while we might have reservations or preconceived notions about them, sometimes the best approach is to get the facts. This book teaches us to look beyond our biases and find empathy for other people, and that sometimes our so-called enemies can surprise us!

2. "Naughty Mabel," by Nathan Lane and Devlin Elliott, illustrated by Dan Krall

This book is wildly funny! All about a little French bulldog named Mabel, we follow this fancy, pampered pup as she enjoys the finer things in life! Mabel reminds me so much of my own French bulldog/Boston terrier mix, Lucy. This story about a goofy, rambunctious dog who just wants everything her way will get you laughing over the tricks you pulled as a kid, your own kids’ silliness or maybe it’ll remind you of your very own pampered pooch! Either way, this story is a sheer delight for those looking for a bit of metaphorical fluff to brighten their day!

1. "The Runaway Bunny," by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Clement Hurd

This book is a timeless classic! Not because it’s about cute bunnies or because it’s a springtime seasonal favorite. This book is special to me and ranks at number one for a couple of reasons; I grew up with this story, but it means even more to me now than it did back then. My husband is the one who reads me this story, usually when I’ve had a bummer day and need a little extra reassurance. I think that’s what this book does best: it reassures the reader. No matter how far you may run from love, no matter how far away you move from the ones who care about you, love will always find you. Real love does not know how to desert, it only knows how to pursue and remain steadfast. Love is honest, and love is an internal drive to protect and preserve what’s ours. I think this book best exemplifies that theory.

So, those are my picks for my favorite children’s picture books. Whether you have kids or not, consider reading one of the titles on this list. They’re so much more than just books for kids, they’re books for everyone and anyone who’s in need of a smile!