I discovered today that it is Children's Book Week. (It is also Food Allergy Awareness week but Missy is handling that topic far better than I could). I am a big fan of literature in general but kids books are a favorite of mine. I routinely pick up children's books for my own personal enjoyment with the Chronicles of Narnia, Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quartet and the Harry Potter series being top on the list.
And those are the chapter books, I'm just as fond of picture books too. I'm sure we all have our favorites from our own childhood and I'm really looking forward to introducing baby goat to my favorites and to find new favorites as well.
As the daughter of a children's book author (see one her books here under a pen name) I know that a LOT of work goes into making a good children's book. Many people think "I could write a picture book" and sadly the editors of publishing houses have to go through many many bad books to find some good ones. Knowing the process it makes the good books out there all the more precious.
It is no doubt to me that the roots of my reading began and continue with kid's books. From Reading Rainbow, to the Pizza Hut Book-It program my childhood was filled with books. I only hope to provide the same love to my son.
So reminisce with me: What are your favorite kids books? What books do you love to read to your children? What books do you remember from your childhood?
And then go visit the library and read a good kid's book for me!
5 comments:
Oh, a subject after my own heart. There are the classic Guess How Much I Love You, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, anything by Eric Carle really, Dr. Seuss, You're All My Favorites (great book if you have multiple children.) Anything by Kevin Henkes, with Owen and Lilly being our favorite characters. The Kissing Hand. Oh and the Olivia books. We just love her. I could go on and on and on...
But my all time favorite Children's book writer is Patricia Pollaco. She writes from her own experiences and family stories. Every story is true, the pictures are amazing and the stories are so heartfelt. I often cry over and over and over again. An Orange for Frankie is a must at Christmas time as it truly embraces the magic of the season and what Christmas is really about. The Lemonade Club, The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, I could go on and on... They are more for early elementary for comprehension but we started reading her well before that. It is a staple in our library and well loved!
These are just my picture book favorites...wait till we get to Chapter Books! :)
For sure the best baby shower I had with my first is when all of my sisters-in-law bought the boy a book shelf for his room and all of my nieces and nephews picked out books to start filling it. Our house is overflowing with childrens books and I can't resist the scholastic book club. It is an addiction.
I love sitting down with my son and reading him the Berenstein Bears books that were mine when I was younger. I also love the tongue twisters in the Dr. Seuss book "Oh Say Can You Say" and for the record, many I can not.
I'm totally guilty of feeling like I could write a childrens book, and I did, immediately after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was therapy for me to get the words out, and it is meant to help explain to a young child that even with a mom battling cancer, her love never fades. I just hold it close to my heart and dream, though in my head I can see the illustrations and can imagine holding it in my hands, published. These are the things I fanticize about. Holding my own book in my hands.
Kim, I do think it is worth trying to get it published. While many people think they can do it, there are still people who can well and you'll never know which you are until you try!
First I have to say - I LOVED the Book-It program! I still remember the button and the little star stickers we put on them. Awesome!
Anyways - Fave books... The Very HUngry Caterpillar, Chronicles of Narnia, The Giving Tree (the first books I learned to read), The LIttle Critter books. THere were so many more that I just can't think of.
Great topic, Liz - and thanks for the shout out!
I loved reading growing up and still do today - and that's why I try to read with my kiddos every day, too. It would take me FOREVER to list all the books we love... but suffice it to say we read all different types of books from Dr. Seuss to Olivia the Pig to Lift the Flap books to dry trucks and trains and automobile and dumptruck books... to books about bodily functions (peeing and pooping) and not biting and preparing for a sibling. :)
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