If you are like me, you buy a lot of books. These are books that folks in the know have recommended.

On writing for children specifically
Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market
The Giblin Guide to Writing Children’s Books
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen
Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole
Second Sight by Cheryl B. Klein
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold Underdown

On writing in general
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, especially for dialogue
Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield