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.
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.”
|
|
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.
|
Thank you for sharing this great list :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list and well organized. Thank you for taking time to create this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
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.
DeleteWell, Harry the Dirty Dog was one of my favorites that my kids didn't really get into. You just never know!
Delete