Ok, I lied. One more off topic post!
I am OBSESSED with great kids' books. I will research online sites to find those that have great book recommendations and then order those books via the online public library system and get a stack of new books for the kids every week. We read one or two books (or several chapters if it's a chapter book) together every night. I've been doing this with them since before they could even turn the pages of a book themselves (although it didn't take them long to start "helping" me even as babies). Storytime is sacred in my house. I LOVE reading and since I rarely have the kind of time I used to have to get lost in book after book, this (plus my gizillion magazine subscriptions) is my "fill."
I can't begin to express how relieved I am that my kids cherish this time as much as I do because, quite frankly, it would be pretty pathetic to be sitting there all alone reading kids' books out loud to myself.... :)
I've had many friends, aware of my obsession, ask me for book recommendations. We own more than I'd like to admit so I will usually go through our books and pick out a few titles I think would be best for the child's age group but I think it would just be easier if I compiled a list of our favorites that we own and shared them here with y'all. How's that for proper English?!
Now, I know that I am forgetting a TON of GREAT books we have gotten from the library over the years although I do try to jot down my absolute favorites and some of these are on this list. Also, a few of these are standard "classics" that everyone already knows about but I would be remiss in not at least mentioning them. So, here goes. In NO particular order other than how they are piled up in Ellie's bookshelf. ENJOY!!
(note: there is a definite feminist streak in many of my top faves, especially the ones about princesses who save the prince, don't need/want a prince or decide to protect their castle on their own thankyouverymuch. I feel I have to undo the Disney indoctrination that seems hell bent on telling my daughter that her only purpose and goal in life should be to be pampered and have someone else take care of her and protect her..... grrrrrr. So I have a lovely collection of VERY funny and well done COUNTER Disney stories! Take that! And some really cute pacifist versions of knights and dragons becoming friends rather than trying to, you know, kill each other. Also, many of my favorite stories are very philosophical in tone and require the kids to do some soul searching and ask some hard questions. Don't mind me and my own not-so-hidden messages I am trying to impart to my rugrats during what they feel is totally innocuous "cuddle time". Muah hahahahah)
The Faerie's Gift by Tanya Batt
Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth
Guess how much I love you? by Sam McBratney
Olivia by Ian Falconer (the whole series is wonderful)
Belinda the Ballerina by Amy Young
The gigantic Turnip by Tolstoy (adapted by Barefoot Books)
Brave Bitsy & The Bear by Angela McAllister
A frog thing by Drachann & Muscarello (several by this duo, all are great!)
The Giving Tree by Silversetin (I dare you not to cry while reading this)
Farfallina & Marcel by Holly Keller (my kids STILL love this sweet story after all these years of reading it)
Knufflebunny by Mo Willems
Flamingos on the roof by Calef Brown (fun and funky poetry for kids)
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Gossie & Gertie series by Dunrea
If you were my bunny by Kate McMullan
Time for bed by Mem Fox (for the little ones)
Tell me something happy before I go to sleep by Dunbar
The PaperBag Princess by Munsch
I love you through and through by Rosetti-shustak (for the littlest ones)
The Princess and the Pea (the one we love the most is the adaptation by Usborne books, hilarious!)
The gift of nothing by McDonnell
Just like heaven by McDonnell
Get well, good knight AND Good night, good knight by Shelley Moore Thomas
There was a bold lady by Charisse Harper
Today I will fly by Mo Willems (Gavin loves this one)
Lila and the Secret of rain by David Conway
Little Beauty by Anthony Browne
The little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (I haven't read this one to them yet but plan to soon)
The Knight and the Dragon by Paola
The princess knight by Cornelia Funke
Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Where the wild things are (in preparation for the movie coming out especially!)
The knight who took all day by James Mayhew
A visitor for Bear by Becker
Room on the broom by Julia Donaldson
Catwings by LeGuin
and, naturally, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING by Dr. Seuss
If I remember any others I will add them to this list with a star at the bottom to indicate that it is a new entry.
HAPPY READING!