When he’s not playing bass for the Barenaked Ladies, Jim Creeggan loves reading to his kids (he and his wife Anna have a nine-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter). Here, he shares some of their top picks at bedtime.
I am a Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry
“I loved how the bunny goes through life appreciating every aspect of his surroundings. My son and I would gaze at the beautiful paintings and ponder the world just like the bunny. Ole Risom partnered with other illustrators to create a series including I am a Puppy, I am a Mouse, and I am a Bear. Unfortunately, I am a Bunny is the only one still in print.”
The Red Book by Barbara Lehman
“This book captured my son’s imagination for a full year. Through a flow of pictures, this book led us through discovery, wonderment and unexpected turns. Anything by this illustrator is soulful and worth checking out.”
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
“I love the rhymes and the spirit of adventure in this book. It teaches that sometimes one has to split from the pack to see the world in a new way.”
Little Green by Keith Baker
“This board book gave me and my daughter a chance to witness pure empathy. The way the boy observes the hummingbird in such careful detail taught me more about art than most ‘grown-up’ books.”
Stella, Fairy of the Forest by Marie-Louise Gay
“I love the spirit of Stella. My daughter still identifies with Stella’s drive to bring magic to everything.”
The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz and Steve Adams
“This book put us under its spell for hours. Its fantastical world couldn’t be more relatable. It is a love story that shows how gentleness and kindness can be powerful.”
Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems
“Mo Willems is a brilliant author and illustrator, and Edwina has us giggling every time. She’s the best friend any human could have… and who can resist an antagonist named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie?”
On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole
“My daughter is a rebel and she is a partner in crime with the girl in this book, who sets out to turn her drab yard into a beautiful meadow. This book has a great environmental message, and shows how our children will make the world a better place.”