mo2 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 What one children's book do you think every young child should own? It could be a beautifully illustrated picture book, a story collection, a classic piece of litererature that everyone should be familiar with. (Yes, I'm shopping for gifts!) :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medieval Mom Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Beatrix Potter. We have The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, but would love to have the 23 separate volumes in The World of Peter Rabbit. :001_tt1: Would you like our address? :w00t: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Harold and the Purple Crayon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy+2 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss One of my all-time favorites! I could list many more, but this was the first one that popped in my mind.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 My favorite book as a little child was Mary Poppins. My faovrite book as a young reading child was The Witch of Blackbird Pond. My fav older kid book was Jude The Obscure. I do own all of those as an adult. :) None of my kids like Jude, but Mary Poppins and TWBP were both enjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Ooooooh, this is a tough question and I look forward to all the responses you'll get! It's impossible for me to pick one, but a few I adore are: Roxaboxen: http://www.amazon.com/Roxaboxen-Alice-Mclerran/dp/0060526335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267714458&sr=8-1 The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber (a friend brought this to me from the UK and I see it's not readily available on Amazon) Make Way for Ducklings: http://www.amazon.com/Ducklings-Viking-Kestrel-picture-books/dp/0670451495/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267714596&sr=1-3 Danny, the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl (if you think of R. Dahl as only a dark and creepy writer, read this one. It's in my top five all-time favorite books, child or adult): http://www.amazon.com/Danny-Champion-World-Roald-Dahl/dp/0375814256/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267714923&sr=1-2 I think every child should own a lovely illustrated collection of fairy tales. Or, if you can't find a whole collection, look for fairy tales illustrated by the modern artists Paul O. Zelinsky or Kinuko Craft. I love books illustrated by the classic artists Arthur Rackham, Leslie Brooke, or Howard Pyle. I loved Beatrix Potter and Winnie the Pooh as a child, too. There are many series I think are fabulous, though I wouldn't necessarily say everyone should own them. For example: Edward Eager's "Magic" series, Swallows and Amazons, the Melendy Quartet, Betsy-Tacy series, Joan Aiken's Wolves Chronicles (oh, how I would have loved these as a child!) Okay, I'll stop here and let someone else talk. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FawnsFunnyFarm Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 The Real Mother Goose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 The very first one that came to mind was Jamberry. The runner-up books in my mind were Blueberries for Sal Pancakes for Breakfast Drummer Hoff The Snowy Day Good Dog, Carl Sorry, I can't list just one either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meet me in paris Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Corduroy. Good Night Moon. The Giving Tree. Those are my favorites! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susankenny Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Hi, I have so many books that we love, but a few of our absolute favorites are My Father's Dragon series, Velveteen Rabbit, The Quiltmaker's Gift, You are Special & You are Mine (by max lucado), The Rag Coat, The Little Match Girl, and The Valentine Cat. We also have a big book of classic stories and fairy tales which we absoutely love! For chapter books, our first favorites were Pippi Longstocking & Boxcar Children. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I agree with Goodnight Moon. Also The Very Hungry Caterpillar and anything Beatrix Potter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Horton Hatches the Egg- LOVE it!!! His loyalty and determination to do what's right even though he was taken advantage of- beautiful rhyme and rhythm!! His illustrations are priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homemama2 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Can I pick a series? Little House on the Prairie....hands down! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaissezFaire Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Blueberries For Sal Make Way for Ducklings One Morning in Maine The Napping House The Old Woman Who Named Things I could go on. No one should have to choose just one. LOL Books are like Potato Chips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I second a previous poster's suggestion of Roxaboxen. I tear up a little bit at the end of this book every time I read it when the grown-up child returns to the site of Roxaboxen. It also has such a wonderful portrayal of where imagination can take you, which spurs many lovely memories of my own childhood (creating outlines of houses and stores using grass clippings on the lawn for example :001_smile:). Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paintedlady Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 The Velveteen Rabbit for sure. And there are some beautifully illustrated ones too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Lilac Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi & Ron Barrett Richard Scarry's Favorite Storybook Ever by Richard Scarry Little Golden Book Collection: Animal Tales For read alouds, we love Stop That Pickle! and Skippyjon Jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Anything by Robert McCloskey! I love him. I want to live in Maine and gater blueberries and take a ride in a boat with an outboard motor. I also love anything by Kevin Henkes - particulary Lily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birchbark Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Mike Mulligan and The Little House. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monalisa Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathman Our family has never laughed as much over a book as this one. We still do :lol: Our favorite series is the High Rise Private Eyes by Cynthia Rylant, again hilarious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 If the child could have only one book: A Treasury of Children's Literature For babies: Pat the Bunny - Ariel loved this one so much it fell apart For toddlers: Time For Bed For preschoolers: Goodnight Moon and Oh the Thinks You Can Think! (My favorite Dr. Seuss) For early elementary: Raggedy Ann Stories, Skippyjon Jones For later elementary: Mary Poppins, Ballet Shoes, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Everyone with toddlers should have "Keep Love in your Heart, Little One" by Giles Andrae Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 On top of all that were mentioned which I whole-heartedly agree with, I'd like to add: Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom The Little Engine that Could Green Eggs and Ham Owl Moon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Picture books: Corduroy Roxaboxen Anything by Jan Brett Moe the Dog If You Give a Pig a Pancake Elsa Beskow books Brambly Hedge series Little Bear stories (by Jane Hissey) Chapter books: Ginger Pye and Pinky Pye The original Paddington books The Tarantula in My Purse Little House books The Borrowers (loved, loved, loved these myself as a kid and so do my kids) Five Children and It Sign of the Beaver Tuck Everlasting All of a Kind Family Ahhhhh...one of my favorite subjects. I'm going to stop. For now, lol. Woolybear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 If I HAD to pick ONE....it would be a collection of Beatrix Potter stories. ...although, I would have a HARD time passing up AA Milne... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjbeach Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Hi, I have so many books that we love, but a few of our absolute favorites are My Father's Dragon series, Velveteen Rabbit, The Quiltmaker's Gift, You are Special & You are Mine (by max lucado), The Rag Coat, The Little Match Girl, and The Valentine Cat. We also have a big book of classic stories and fairy tales which we absoutely love! For chapter books, our first favorites were Pippi Longstocking & Boxcar Children. Susan 6yo dd adores the My Father's Dragon series and Velveteen Rabbit. Papa Picolo is my 4yo cat-loving son's favorite along with Peter Rabbit, Mother Goose rhymes and Mike Mulligan & his Steam Shovel (that's this week...) Actually....doesn't it seem that most of the FIAR books become favorites??? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Books the kids want me to read over and over.... We're Going on a Bear Hunt Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever Skippyjon Jones The Random House Book of Poetry for Children Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I second a previous poster's suggestion of Roxaboxen. I tear up a little bit at the end of this book every time I read it when the grown-up child returns to the site of Roxaboxen. It also has such a wonderful portrayal of where imagination can take you, which spurs many lovely memories of my own childhood (creating outlines of houses and stores using grass clippings on the lawn for example :001_smile:). Erica in OR Yes, yes, yes!!! I'm the same way! I love this whole book, love the artists (anything by Barbara Cooney is worth having), love the prose. I love when they talk about the rules for "driving" and how one little girl was always speeding: "You'd think she liked to go to jail." Oh, just thinking of it makes me all wistful. The power of imagination is so strong and I love to see it depicted. And one other fun thing about this book is that I've been in the setting where it takes place (not the exact spot, but the AZ desert with that sort of flora and fauna), so I have a perfect image in my mind of how it could have been. It doesn't hurt that it takes place during my favorite era of children's fashion - all those drop-waisted dresses and short pants..... Thank you for understanding my geekiness, another Erika Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Ack! How could I have forgotten the Borrowers? And I love Richard Scarry collections. If you're buying a gift for a 2-year-old, you can't beat 'em! I used to love the story about the girl (well, I think she's a cat) who visits her dad in the bakery and her dolly falls into the bread trough, so one of the loaves keeps saying, "Mama!" Oh, I could go on and on. My favorite part of parenting is reading aloud. :001_smile::001_smile::001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtney.byrum Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Mike Mulligan and The Little House. Those were among my favorites as a child! I have 2 copies of the Little House but had to buy my son Mike Mulligan as it didn't seem to get saved :( Another favorite (and my DS's favorite) is The Giant Jam Sandwich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Okay, you guys missed my favorite authors & illustrators Jan Brett - start with Honey, Honey, Lion K.Y. Craft and Paul O. Zelinsky - My all time favorite book form my childhood to inflict on or share with my kids and relatives is Where the Wild Things Are. Let the wild rumpus start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 A Fly Went By Charlotte's Web The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane a collection of Leo Lionni stories Ramona books, by Beverly Cleary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tohru Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 No one should have to choose just one. LOL Books are like Potato Chips. rofl! :lol: I love it! This is going to be my new most favorite expression! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tohru Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 (edited) Okay, in addition to all the other fantastic selections, I have to add: Verdi The Salamander Room *anything* by Keiko Kasza not to mention about 90% of the books in Honey for a Child's Heart, by Gladys Hunt :D Edited March 5, 2010 by jadedone80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alte Veste Academy Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 favorite picture book: three way tie between Dogger, Annie Rose Is My Little Sister (the best big brother book ever!) and Rhymes for Annie Rose (and anything else by Shirley Hughes but these are really special) favorite fairy tale anthology: Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson favorite Mother Goose: tie between Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose illustrated by Scott Gustafson (dd's favorite) and Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever (boys' favorite) favorite poetry anthology for littles: Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry favorite poetry anthology for biggers: The Golden Books Family Treasury of Poetry It is too hard to pick just one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsrae Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Has anyone read Socks for Supper? I believe it is out of print now, sadly. A simple, heartwarming story. I could recite it as a child! I was so excited to see so many favorites already listed. Very dangerous question to ask a group of home schooling moms! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 One of my absolute favourites to read to my kids has been Where is that cat? We all know it by heart and it is most definitely a family favourite. Other favourite picture books include Harriet You'll Drive Me Wild by Mem Fox and Mortimer by Robert Munsch/Michael Martchenko. I find most of the Robert Munsch books to be great hits with the kids. We're also a fan of the Dr. Suess books, especially Green Eggs and Ham and One Fish, Two Fish. Oh! I can't forget Imagine a Day. Fabulous artwork! It's the kind of book you could stare at for hours. For chapter books I'd have to go with most anything by Rould Dahl, with my favourites being Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach (I still remember my 4th grade teacher reading this one to us!), The Chronicles of Narnia, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Pippi Longstocking, anything we've read by Kate DiCamillo... Gosh, I think I could go on all night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkgumby Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury has some of my very favorite books for little ones: http://www.amazon.com/20th-Century-Childrens-Book-Treasury-Picture/dp/0679886478/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267759191&sr=1-26 In chapter books, some of my favorites are: - Robin McKinley, especially Beauty and Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword - Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series - Little House on the Prairie series - Anne of Green Gables series - Ramona series - The Great Brain series - Emil books by Astrid Lindgren - Narnia series - Over the Hills to Fabylon by Nicolas Stuart Gray (sadly OOP, but adorable) This *is* a dangerous question to ask fellow book-lovers! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Ok, I have to add Each Peach Pear Plum and Children of the Forest. Definitely at the top of my list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaura Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 In chapter books, some of my favorites are: - Robin McKinley, especially Beauty and Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword Wow, it's been years since I read those books. They were good! Thanks for the reminder, I will have to go get them from the library tomorrow! My kids and I really enjoyed Ox Cart Man recently. The illustrated Old Mother West Wind by Burgess was also well received. My boys love anything by Richard Scarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUJLBE Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Just one? Charlotte's Web by E.B. White This book is perfect with illustrations by Garth Williams. The audio version opens a little window into E.B.White's mind-he was a man who loved words. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Lots of great suggestions in this thread. One of our favorites that I don't think has been mentioned yet: James Herriot's Treasury for Children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted March 5, 2010 Author Share Posted March 5, 2010 Holy cow. I posted this yesterday morning and then left for the day and didn't check it again. Now there are FIVE PAGES of book suggestions for me to look through! I should have plent of ideas! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 My favorite is "Time For Bed" by Mem Fox, just because my daughter asked for it every night when she was little. Plus... I love the illustrations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookFanatic Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Strega Nona!!! Poor BIG Anthony! Anything Tomie DePaola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 George & Martha are probably my favorites. ETA: Ok, looking again--these are simply brilliant. Beautiful. The best books EVER. A Box of Peppermints has redeemed children's poetry imo. The Monster at the end of this Book, someone mentioned--I've always loved that one. I really loved biographies as a kid, too, & one of my favorite pic book bios was Louis Pasteur: The Power of Believing in Yourself. The illustrations are SO happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I love The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud http://www.amazon.com/20th-Century-Childrens-Book-Treasury-Picture/dp/0679886478/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267903639&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovthesurf Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 What a great list of books, I could go on and on listing the ones already listed! As far as board books I love Sandra Boynton and we can't get enough Seuss in our house but my absolute favorite book growing up was 'The Westing Game' by Ellen Raskin. I still enjoy reading it and tear up every time at the end!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivingHope Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 We love: Duchess Bakes a Cake and Baron's Booty by Virginia Kahl...hilarious rhyming stories about a duke with 13 daughters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynful Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Older/Original Dr. Seuss books - in particular, *The Lorax* (absolute favorite) and Green Eggs and Ham A.A. Milne - Now We are Six, Winnie the Pooh Raggedy Ann and/or Andy stories Where the Wild Things Are The Little Engine That Could Ahhh, memories.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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