| One thing I've learned is that the classics are classic for a reason. Not that there are no quality children's books being written these days, but books that have been popular for generations are usually worth reading.
Too many books for young children are slapped together from episodes of popular tv shows. As a rule, I don't enjoy reading books about Dora, the Backyardigans, Diego, or even Clifford. The stories are not that interesting.
But kids love story collections that involve a group of recurring characters. Ones I would particularly recommend in place of tv-character books include:
all the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel
Winnie-the-Pooh stories by AA Milne (not the Disney Winnie-the-Pooh stories, which can't compare)
Usborne Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright (a collection of 20 stories about a family living at Apple Tree Farm)
Nate the Great stories by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Paddington stories by Michael Bond
Patsy Scarry's Bedtime story book about Little Richard the rabbit and his friends (this may be out of print)
several of the books in Richard Scarry's "busytown" series, such as Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Some of our family's favorite "one-off" books for kids include:
Goodnight Moon
The Runaway Bunny
Caps for Sale
Goodnight, Gorilla
almost any book by Arnold Lobel (about Owl, Grasshopper, or other characters)
almost any book by Eric Carle (by the way, Mister Seahorse is a great Father's Day gift)
almost any Dr. Seuss book
Warning: if you buy or check out from the library collections of classic fairy tales, be aware that many of them have violent or disturbing parts. If your child is sensitive, you may want to avoid these tales!
Start reading to children right away. Even tiny babies love the sound of their parents' voices reading a good book.
Don't be afraid to read a story that is beyond your child's language ability. Passive vocabulary (what we understand) is always larger than active vocabulary (words we can say). It's incredible how even toddlers can enjoy well-written books for older children. You'd think they couldn't possibly follow the plot, but they know quality stories.
Books on tape or CD are great as well. We have a no-tv rule in our house while kids are awake, but our kids like listening to recordings of books.
Stephen Fry has done fantastic recordings of the Paddington books.
Arnold Lobel reads his Frog and Toad books.
Mary Pope Osborne reads her "magic treehouse" books.
There's a good four-CD dramatization of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (based on the book, not the movie), produced by the Children's Theater of Los Angeles.
The BBC did a good dramatization of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories with a great cast.
Consider this an open thread to discuss any children's books you love. |
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