I've been on a quest for the greatest children's books and have finally started to find some that we (as a family) truly love. Inspired by Courtney Adamo and her Babyccino Kids book guides, I've put together some favorites. I'm just going to warn you now that I'm not a classics person, so there's nothing vintage on this list. But if you're looking for a modern book for a young child, hopefully you'll enjoy one of these.

Julia, Child takes kids on a culinary adventure with it's playfully delicious tale about the importance of never completely growing up and mastering the art of having a good time.

A friend gave Gaston to Brixton, and I fell in love with the words and pictures so much that I had to add it to Mila's bookshelf. The illustrations in this book are beyond adorable, with the cutest story to match.

Mila loves all of the Olivia books but Olivia and the Fairy Princesses is the one we go to time and time again.

A friend got us hooked on the the Leslie Kimmelman series with Everybody Bonjours! And Everybody says Shalom is also great, especially for a Hanukkah gift (we like it for post-latke reading).

Jojo's First Word Book and Inside and Outside with Jojo may be my favorite books ever. Xavier Deneux’s gorgeous visual style makes me feel as though I'm parenting in a French wonderland of beautifully simple design.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Pascale Estellon's The Giant Play and Learn Book has made me a better parent. This activity book allows kids to learn as they play with it's imaginative creativity. The colorful, oversized book is packed with doodling, drawing and fun. I also love Taro Gomi's Doodles and Squiggles.

photo by: jenna elliott of one eleven photography

I can't tell you how excited I was to take a field trip to the Hedley & Bennett headquarters and get a closer look into the most amazing apron (and now homewares!) line in all of the land. Ellen Bennett, the founder and designer, is not only one of the hardest working people I know, but she's one of the coolest too. Ellen is a truly kind and positive person who seems to always be having fun (while dominating the world, of course). It's plain to see exactly why she went straight to the top in just two short years. A former line cook, Ellen created her aprons with no design background - just instinct and her experience in the kitchen. Looks like her instinct is spot-on. Not only are her aprons gorgeous, they are the real deal and built to last -- worn by top chefs across the country. Every Hedley & Bennett product is handmade in Los Angeles using top-grade materials such as American canvas, raw Japanese selvage denim and European linens.

In addition to her aprons and chef coats, she recently expanded her adorable kids' apron line and added homewares -- including napkins, pot holders and chef caps.

Sis and I, along with our favorite photographer -- Jenna Elliott, took a tour of the H&B headquarters and saw just how fantastic apron making with Hedley & Bennett really is.