A Love Letter for Parents & Kids (& Those Who Love Them)

It has been said that ‘once you learn to read, you’ll be forever free.’ We hope this Love Letter, in partnership with Scribble, inspires a sense of escape and joy for parents and kids homeschooling.

A vibrant, eclectic list of illustrated books for children by brilliant writers and artists from around the world, Scribble is an imprint of Henry Rosenbloom’s award-winning, independent publishing house Scribe.

Today Scribble Publisher and mother-of-two Miriam Rosenbloom shares her curation of the best children’s books for now (we’re the biggest fans of their Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street, and will be hosting a giveaway on Facebook and Instagram later this week).

For those of you without tikes during this time inside, might we suggest a Zoom story time – or taking part in the Museum’s own version of school, our Autumn short courses commencing 27 April.

Over to Miriam, and until we meet again, stay well.

Jessica Bram
Director & CEO

Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street
Felicita Sala
Ages 3–9

Something smells good at 10 Pomegranate Street! Delicious, actually!

A celebration of community with recipes from all over the world plus simple instructions perfect for young chefs, this book evokes the joy of food and its power to unite.

In the Night Kitchen
Maurice Sendak
Ages 6–8

Stir it! Scrape it! Make it! Bake it!

Those who visited the Museum’s 2006 Maurice Sendak exhibit might recall this dreamscape of the author’s childhood in New York. It’s a fantastical ode to the primal, sensory world of the young – and with its rhyming and rolling, a delight to read aloud.

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey
Maira Kalman
Ages 5–10

The John J. Harvey was the largest, fastest, shiniest fireboat of its time, but by 1995 the city didn’t need old fireboats anymore. So the Harvey retired, until a group of friends decided to save it from the scrap heap. Then, one sunny September day in 2001, something so horrible happened that the whole world shook.

A tribute to the resilience of New Yorkers post-9/11, Fireboat reveals the impact individual acts of heroism can have in times of crisis – and will excite and inspire young and old alike.

Frog and Toad are Friends
Arnold Lobel with Julia Donaldson
Ages 0–5

“What did you write in the letter?” Frog said, “I wrote ‘Dear Toad, I am glad that you are my best friend. Your best friend, Frog.'” “Oh,” said Toad. “That makes a very good letter.” Then Frog and Toad went out onto the front porch to wait for the mail. They sat there, feeling happy together.

This American classic by the late, great Arnold Lobel explores the highs and lows of friendship, touching on deep truths about life, philosophy and human nature.

Under the Love Umbrella
Davina Bell with Allison Colpoys
Ages 1–6

Whatever you fear, come close my dear
You’re tucked in safe for always here
And I will never not be near
Because of our love umbrella

The ‘love umbrella’ conjures invisible, protective and omnipresent love. This story conveys that no matter the challenge, we can count on it above us.