Don't eat magic figs, don't forget your crayon, and don't let insane cats into your home

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Harper & Row

This week, children's book author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg turned 63. Allsburg's books have been formative for countless children, so to celebrate the author's birthday, we were inspired to think about all the life lessons from children's books—both picture books and early chapter books—that still resonate in adulthood.

After all, the things you absorb at a young age can form the foundation for the person you will become, so we think it's nice to look back and see if we can trace our morality to an evil French dentist and his dog. Look below for some life lessons from beloved books.

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