Award winning children's author and illustrator Bill Peet wrote 35 children's picture books. Peet's imaginative and clever artwork and stories have ensured the enduring popularity of many of his books. Here are some of the ones that I particularly recommend.
1. Capyboppy
This is our family’s favorite Bill Peet book since it features a capybara (a large South American rodent), and our zoo has one. Written for intermediate readers, this book is the true story of the capybara that lived with the Peet family. Peet’s black and white drawings, which can be found on every page, greatly enhance the story. (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1973. ISBN: 0395383684)
2. Bill Peet: An Autobiography
This is the fascinating story of Disney Studios artist and award-winning children’s book author Bill Peet. It’s the illustrations by Peet throughout the book that make it so special. The book won the 1991 Utah Children's Informational Book Award and was designated a Caldecott Honor Book in 1990. I'd recommend it for 9-12 year olds.(Houghton Mifflin Co., 1989. ISBN: 0395509327)3. Chester, The Worldly Pig
This is a cute story about a farm pig who doesn’t want to be ordinary. Chester learns to balance on his nose and joins the circus. However, things do not work out, and Chester sadly returns to life on a farm. However, he does become famous when it's discovered that the spots on his sides look like a world map! Recommended ages: 4-8 (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1978. ISBN: 0395272718)4. The Wump World
Like others of Peet's picture books, this one focuses on the environment. The wumps, fuzzy animals that look like humpless camels, live happily on their planet. Then, it is invaded by creatures from the planet Pollutus. They tear down trees, build big cities, spoil the environment, and then abandon the planet, leaving the wumps to restore it. This book will appeal to a wide age range.(Houghton Mifflin Co., 1981. ISBN: 0395311292)