A picture book has no room to hide as compared to a normal children's book. The reason a children’s picture book qualifies to be better than others is because it doesn’t talk down to them and trusts them with hunger, loneliness, mischief, comfort, and wonder. The appendicitis plot is oddly perfect for a picture book because the hospital becomes scary, then exciting, then almost desirable once Madeline receives attention and gifts. 7 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' (1955)Image via Harper & BrothersCrockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon is one of the cleanest celebrations of imagination ever put into a picture book. No picture book ending is more emotionally complete.