Amanda Remembers, by Robert Kraus, was one of the first books I got as a kid. It was published in 1965, the year I turned age eight. I picked this picture book out as a child simply because it had my first name on the cover. Amanda was not a particularly popular given name the year I was born (I was named in honor of Texas Governor Miriam Amanda Ferguson), and there were very few children's books with an Amanda as a character, let alone the title character.

In the story, Amanda's mother has discarded Amanda's two favorite (but worn out) toys, a doll and a stuffed dog, and Amanda recalls memorable adventures with them. (There is a happy ending.) I love the soft colored pencil illustrations and the Victorian dress of the characters. I still have a copy of this book on my shelves. ( )