Arnold Lobel is awesome. My first grader loves Frog and Toad and the Mouse stories.
I honestly think that Frog and Toad has lessons that are applicable even for adults. My wife and I will sometimes quote things like "'What we need is willpower,' said Frog." when meaning to stop snacking on something.
Also, I find Owl at Home intriguingly solipsistic, but that's not really a concept that I think my kids would understand.