Guest Post: Caragh M. O’Brien and Her Top Five Picture Books

Today, as part of the Prized Blog Tour, I have the privilege of welcoming one of my favorite authors, Caragh M. O’Brien. Her first novel, Birthmarked, is one of the first books I reviewed and it’s still a favorite book of mine. Now that the sequel, Prized, is out I’m thrilled to share my review with you but until then I was able to talk Caragh into sharing something else close to my heart…her favorite picture books. So without further hesitation on my part, Caragh O’Brien with her Top 5 picture books!

Thanks, Danielle, for having me by! I love picture books, so picking only five is sort of ridiculous. Rather than try to remember which ones mattered to me most as a kid (my Nonna read me Dorothy Kunhardt’s Pat the Bunny (1940) whenever I visited her and I loved sliding my finger in the ring hole), I’ve picked five that I love today. These all appeal to a deep, inner core of me in a way I don’t fully understand. I guess that means they’re working, right?

Mirette on the High Wire (1997) Emily Arnold
This one comes to mind first because on some gut level, the romantic, richly colored illustrations deeply appeal to me. I like the adventure, and the way I’m taken to another place and time.

Emma’s Rug (2003) Allen Say
No other book has ever so accurately tapped the way I always saw images in things, and it makes me feel like I have the eye of an artist even though I rarely draw or paint anymore.

There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (1992) Mercer Mayer
To this day, I can’t sleep unless my closet door is closed. Silly, scary, fun, and empowering, this story delights me.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (1984) Chris Van Allsburg
My sister, who is also a writer, sent this as a gift to my children, so it reminds me of her. The evocative, wordless pictures trigger my imagination and send me to inner, distant places.

The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961) Dr. Seuss
I love the addictive way Dr. Seuss plays with language. It’s odd to think the resonating messages were always there even though as I kid I simply liked the stories and pictures. This book has exposed to me my own changing perspectives as I’ve grown, and I like the possibility of having innocence and wisdom.

Prized Code #9: W

I’m glad you love picture books, too, Danielle. They are such a cool art form. There is a fascinating collection of children’s books at the University of Connecticut, and when I once had a tour of the back room, I was blown away to see drafts of Richard Scarry’s work. Tomorrow the blog tour takes me to The Allure of Books. Thanks again!

Find Prized by Caragh M. O’Brien at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Are you still in need of Birthmarked (the first in the series)? It’s on sale at Amazon and Barnes & Noble for eBooks currently for only $2.99! I’m positive it won’t last, so run over there right now and pick it up! You will not regret it!

Follow the complete Prized Book Tour for some spectacular reviews & interviews with Caragh as well as collect the letters to decipher a code given along the tour.
The Prized Code Today – #9: W

In addition to the tour, there will also be a chat with Caragh on the 8th of November that I’m positive you won’t want to miss!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Roaring Brook Press, for providing a copy of this book for review! Connect with them on Twitter, on their blog MacTeenBooks and on Facebook!
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