I was born in the year of magic. Not many people can say that, but I can. March 4, I’m celebrating my first 50 years. When I was born, amazing things were bubbling up in the realm of children’s literature. Beloved books like Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak were published in 1963. I have no concrete evidence to connect my devotion to children’s books to the time I was born, but who’s to say otherwise? And just so you know, Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) was born in March too–if that helps to convince you.

The 1960s were what I consider the golden age of children’s literature. Picture books we now consider classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Go Dog Go by PD Eastman and Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban were enjoyed by parents and children…