Sunday, February 2, 2014

125+ Must Have Children's Books

This past week we were lucky for a variety of reasons. To start off, I am lucky my coworker warned me to leave work at 11 a.m. last Tuesday after his wife sent him a picture of snow accumulating near their house. The second reason I am lucky is because I was able to pick both girls up from their schools and get home safely before Metro Atlanta became a giant parking lot. Did you see it on the news? Well, two inches of snow in Atlanta provided me with 3 1/2 snow days to spend with my girls. I am lucky to have spent this extra, unexpected time with them.

After spending hours playing outside in the snow, my oldest started lugging books into our living room. She informed me that she was going to be playing library and I should get a bag for Little Miss J to borrow some books. I will admit that my immediate thought was dismay at all the books I was going to have to carry back up to their rooms. However, once I sat back and watched their play unfold, I noticed one very important thing. I noticed that the books they brought to their library were the ones that they wanted there. They also were the books that were worn from so much use. This inspired me to share with you the books that they would never be able to live without. I cross-posted this to a page on my blog for easy access. The scientist in me categorized the books based on what type of learning the book inspires. Let me know what you think. So without further ado, here are 125+ of the favorite books from our home library.


Our Favorite Books from our Little Home Library
Over the years, we have grown our little home library from just a couple books (most of which were from my own childhood) to a very large library of children's books. Many of these books are read once or twice, and then they find a sheltered place on the shelf to keep the other books company. However, other books are read over and over until the pages are worn and the characters live within our souls making us richer for having read them. All the books in a child's library need not be classic literature, but a diverse collection to inspire little renaissance kids. I thought I would create a place to store all of our favorites that we have read again and again. This is not a list created by a literary expert. Instead, it is a list created by a real mom who knows what books her girls are constantly taking off the bookshelf, carrying in their book bag, or leaving lying next to their bed. These are the books that my daughters bring to me, asking me to read them “AGAIN!” Some of these books I do not particularly like, but all of these books my children love. 

What is the right book for a child? The right book is the one that the child wants to read.

Many of these books I have committed to memory. All of these books live in our hearts. All the books shared are ones we loved enough to purchase.

The goal is that this list will grow as our library grows. (The holiday section is sparse because most of these get packed away when the holiday passes, except a few.) Keep checking back to see what we have added. And please share your own suggestions in the comment section below. 

A quick note about taste: I should mention that I have two girls. My youngest is almost two, and the other is seven. My youngest is obsessed with dogs, so there will be quite a few books with dogs in them. 


Best Books for Babies
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 P.D. Eastman
 P.D. Eastman
We have this beautiful cloth version of it.
David Shannon
David Shannon
These three Diaper David Books are perfect first reads and read nightly in our house.
Matthew Van Fleet
Matthew Van Fleet
Babies will love to feel the fuzzy fur of the tails.
Fiona Watt
Rachel Wells
Any of the many Usborne “That’s not my…” books are great. I just happen to have a kid obsessed with dinosaurs.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
We have the unabridged version and a small, board book version. Both have been read countless times.
Eric Carle
Eric Carle
Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton
I usually sing the words to this book.


My First Grader’s Favorite Books 
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Nick Bruel
Nick Bruel
My daughter cannot get enough of these books. Perfect combination of pictures and words for the early reader.
Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey
What seven year old doesn’t love potty humor?
Kate DiCamillo
Chris Van Dusen
We love to the give these characters interesting voices when we read.
Mo O’Hara
Marek Jagucki
My mom thought this was the most disturbing book ever. It only made my oldest want to read it more. I despise the book, but it keeps her reading.
Roald Dahl
Quentin Blake
“No book ever ends/ When it’s full of your fiends/ The Giraffe and the Pell and me.”
James Burks
James Burks
A graphic novel at its best. My oldest carries this one around, reading it over and over.


My Toddler’s Favorite Books
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Pat Schories
We have Biscuit books for all occasions.
Al Perkins
Eric Gurney
I read this at least 5 times a night to Miss J.
Karen Beaumont
Jane Dyer
Great rhyming to keep the wiggliest kid listening.
David Shannon
David Shannon
From the author that created the lovable character David, here is a book about David’s dog.
Michael Muller
Michael Muller
We met Mirabelle and Mr. Muller at the Decatur Book Festival, and Little Miss has been hooked ever since.
Sarah Phillips

Love that early on my little on started shouting, “Boo!” as we read this book.
Todd H. Doodler
Todd H. Doodler
Little Miss will listen to this one five times a night.
Nursery Rhyme

We have a little board book with this nursery rhyme, and she will have me sing this song 10 times before bed.


Books That Teach Letters
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Kelly Bingham
 Paul O. Zelinsky
Giggles and Laughter 
 Eric Carle
Eric Carle 
Flaps with animals 
Dr. Seuss 
Dr. Seuss 
Committed to Memory 
Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Lois Ehlert
I also have this one committed to memory.


Books That Teach Numbers
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 Petr Horacek
 Petr Horacek
 Counting Pop-up book
 Bernard Waber
 Paulis Waber
 Our old friend Lyle comes back to be a dog walker!
 Sandra Boynton
 Sandra Boynton
Silly hippos all show up for a party and go berserk
 Sandra Boynton
 Sandra Boynton
Great for toddlers 
Stan and Jan Berenstain
Stan and Jan Berenstain
A book from my childhood to share with my girls
Eric Carle
Eric Carle
Based on a true story, Eric Carle takes a tale of ducks being lost at sea and turns it into a lovable children’s book.
Retold by Eileen Christelow
Eileen Christelow
What kid doesn’t like this story?


Books That Teach Colors
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 Eric Carle
 Eric Carle
Great for colors, animals, and being yourself
 Eric Carle
 Eric Carle
Memorized by all
 Hena Khan
Mehrdokht Amini
Beautifully illustrates another culture 
Dawn Bentley
Heather Cahoon
From the creator of Ten Little Ladybugs, both girls have loved running their fingers over the glittery butterflies and count them as they disappear in the die cut book.


Books that Teach Opposites
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
P.D. Eastman
Peter Anthony Eastman
A classic from my childhood.
Stan and Jan Berenstain
Stan and Jan Berenstain
I cannot tell you how many times I have read this board book.
Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton
Great illustrations of opposites with classic Boynton characters.


Books for Going to Bed
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 Anna Dewdney
 Anna Dewdney
 I am mama Llama.
Peggy Rathmann
Peggy Rathmann
Sparse with words, but rich in fun, you will love this book for a quiet moment.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
Just try to read this book without yawning. I am yawning just thinking about reading it.
Jane Yolen
Mark Teague
Does a dinosaur stomp his feet on the floor and shout: “I want to hear one book more!”?
Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton
A great read for little toddlers.
Karma Wilson
Jane Chapman
A great bedtime read during the cold, winter months.


Animal Books
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 A Golden Sturdy Book
 Aurelius Battaglia
 Given to me by my grandmother, cherished always
Eric Carle
Eric Carle
Kids are captivated by Eric Carle’s paintings of animals.
Deborah Guarino
Steven Kellogg
This is such a sweet story. The book is taped together because it has been read so many times.
Bill Martin Jr.
Eric Carle
Love the lesson on endangered animals in this book.
Bill Martin Jr.
Eric Carle
Kids love making the animal noises along with this book.
Bill Martin Jr.
Eric Carle
Another book like Brown Bear, but this one focuses on animals from North America.


Dr. Seuss Must Haves
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
My favorite book as a child. I remember my dad reading this one to me.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
It truly is a book of wonderful noises!
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
“We are here! We are here! We are here!”
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
“Take it slowly. This book is dangerous!”
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
“Oh, the Thinks you can think up if only you try!”
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
So basic they should give every parent this book in the hospital.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
“For there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.”


Classic Books Every Library Must Have
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak
And Max said, “I’ll eat you up.”
Gene Zion
Margaret Bloy Graham
Where is Harry?
Laura Numeroff
Felicia Bond
There are so many great “If You Give a…” books to choose from now.
Virginia Lee Burton
Virginia Lee Burton
The ultimate up-cycle story.
Judi Barrett
Ron Barrett
Please keep reading this book to kids so they don’t end up with a distorted view of the book from the movie.
Robert Lopshire
Robert Lopshire
I have distinct memories of this book being read to me as a child. I hope my girls grow up with the same memories.
P.D. Eastman
P.D. Eastman
Colors, opposites, a little bit of everything is taught in this classic book.


Books about Life, Love, and Everything in Between
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Lane Smith
Lane Smith
Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein
Sam McBratney
Anita Jeram
I love you to the moon and back.
Judith Viorst
Ray Cruz
“It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. My mom says some days are like that.”
Amy Hest
Anita Jeram
Sam’s mom encourages him to be brave and deliver the warm, baked goodness to their neighbors.



Poetry Books
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein
My grandparents gave me this book when I was a kid.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Eulalie (In my edition)
My copy is from the 70’s and is well loved.
Jack Prelutsky
James Stevenson
Silly and fun
Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein
Another classic from my childhood.
Nancy Willard
Alice and Marin Provensen
I remember purchasing this book from the Scholastic Book Fair when I was a child. I still wish I could visit William Blake’s Inn.


Books That Teach History 
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Doreen Rappaport
Bryan Collier
The illustrations in this book are absolutely captivating.
Barack Obama
Loren Long
This book introduces so many great figures in history in a beautiful way.


Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Books 
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
A delightful picture book that talks about the different body parts of animals.
Denise Fleming
Denise Fleming
Teaching the youngest of readers about all that lives in the dirt. A big hit with our toddler.
Michelle Markel
Melissa Sweet
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Roald Dahl
Quentin Blake
“Two rights don’t equal a left.”
One
Kathryn Otoshi
Kathryn Otoshi
Simplicity at its best.
Barbara Cooney
Barbara Cooney
A strong female character teaching about kindness.
Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey
Ame Dykeman
Dan Yaccarino
A beautiful story of friendship and kindness between an unlikely pair.
David Shannon
David Shannon


Books for Learning about the Body
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Al Perkins
Henry Payne
A simple board book to help a baby learn about their ears.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
This book also teaches opposites.
Al Perkins
Joe Mathieu
Noses of every shape and size!
Bernette Ford
Sam Williams
This book motivated my oldest to potty train.


Holiday Books
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
You’re a mean one. Mister Grinch.

Little Children's Christmas Music Book

Fiona Watt
Elisa Squillace
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Pat Schories
My little one loves Biscuit. This book meant for Thanksgiving gets read all year round.


Books That Make Us Laugh
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Judy Schachner
Judy Schachner
Be ready to work on your best Spanish accent.
Taro Gomi
Amanda Mayer Stinchecum
Just saying the title makes me giggle.
Doreen Cronin
Betsy Lewin
It is as if the cows formed a union.
Eric Litwin
James Dean
Ask any kindergartner and they will tell you they LOVE Pete the Cat
Doreen Cronin
Harry Bliss
There are several books in this series, and they are all great additions to a library.
Tony Mitton
Guy Parker-Rees
Terrific, silly toddler fun.
Giles Andrede
Guy Parker-Rees
You will dance like no one is watching.
Mark Teague
Mark Teague
A lesson on cleaning rooms.
Jackie Urbanovic
Jackie Urbanovic
The way the author uses text and illustrations to convey the humor is spot on.
Rob Scotton
Rob Scotton
You will fall in love with Splat.
Fancy That!
Pamela Allen
Pamela Allen
Wish they sold this book in the States. A friend of mine brought it back from Australia. We love it.
Pamela Allen
Pamela Allen
Do you know who sank the boat?


Characters We Love 
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling

We have only read book one, but we plan to read the rest when my oldest is ready.
Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter Books
Mercer Mayer
Mercer Mayer
Our favorite title is Just Me and My Mom.
Clifford
Norman Bridwell
Norman Bridwell
Who doesn’t Love Emily Elizabeth and Clifford?
Curious George
H.A. and Margret Rey
H.A. and Margret Rey
He was a good little monkey, and always very curious.
Piggie and Gerald
Mo Willems
Mo Willems
These books have us in stitches. They keep both my toddler and 7 year old engaged.
Beezus and Ramona
Beverly Cleary
Tracy Dockray
The Berenstain Bears
Stan and Jan Berenstain
Stan and Jan Berenstain
A great go-to for when you have a specific lesson you want to teach your kids.
Judy Moody
Megan McDonald
Peter H. Reynolds
Is your child ever in a mood? Not a good moon. A bad mood?


Chapter Books
Title
Author
Illustrator
Comments
 Katherine Applegate
 Patricia Casteleo
Madeleine L'Engle

C. S. Lewis

If you could get in a child’s mind, I imagine this is the sort of adventure they would dream up.
Roald Dahl
Quentin Blake
I cannot tell you how many lessons in life this book teaches while you think you are just reading whimsy.
Roald Dahl
Quentin Blake
The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.
Roald Dahl
Quentin Blake
I know you have seen the movie. Now go read the book.
Lewis Carroll

I cannot imagine a childhood without this story being a part of it.
E.B. White

We loved reading the book and then watching the movie to compare.
E.B. White

This story is just beautifully written.
Betty MacDonald
Alexandra Boiger
You will be wondering why no once call child protective services. Some of her cures were just cruel.
Judy Blume

A short chapter book that can be read in one sitting, this is Blume’s first published book.

6 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this great list :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a great list and well organized. Thank you for taking time to create this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think this is a tremendously useful list - even more useful than one from a "literary expert." Because I agree that the most worthwhile books are the ones that truly inspire children to read!

    I was interested to see how different this was from my families list. I felt like there were relatively few that were the same. :) Sandra Boynton, Bear Snores on and especially Curious George are favorites it sounds like every family should have! Do you have any of the Richard Scarry books?

    I'll definitely check out the list for new ideas for gifts for my nieces and nephews!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do have a couple Richard Scary books, and much to my dismay, the girls are not interested in them. There was nothing I loved more as a child then looking for that cute little bug on each page. I think that is the hardest thing with books- to be OK that your children have different tastes in books. We also have a lot of books that are Scholastic because the book fairs and flyers are easy for a busy mom to add books to a library.

      Delete
    2. Well, Harry the Dirty Dog was one of my favorites that my kids didn't really get into. You just never know!

      Delete

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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