While it will probably be a long, long time before I actually get to do it, here are 10 books I loved as a kid and plan on reading to my future kids.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. They're the only books I really remember my Mom reading to me as a kid, and I've always loved them. They're classic and so incredibly wonderful. I remember thinking that maybe, just maybe there was a secret land at the back of my closet.
2. The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. This was my favorite "over and over and over again" bedtime story. My grandmother read it to me almost every night I stayed at her house. This book made being 'green' cool when green was just a color. I remember desperately wanting to save the Truffula Trees. I didn't realize what an important lesson it imparted until I was older, I just really thought those trees were the prettiest things I'd ever seen and the Lorax sounded like a pretty smart guy, too.
3. Where The Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. I was painfully shy and very quiet as a kid, so I didn't really understand Max or exactly what a wild rumpus entailed. But I loved the book anyway. Didn't we all? (And I totally loved the movie, too.)
4. Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie. It's probably the most beloved children's book of all time. And what's so amazing about it is that it's just as wonderful as an adult. Of course I love Peter Pan. With pirates and redskins and fairies and flying, really, who doesn't?
5. Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson. I remember my teacher crying as she read the very sad part of this book aloud to our 4th grade gifted class. I don't think I'd ever seen a teacher cry before... or since.
6. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. I still have a copy of this book on my bookshelf at home. It's a very simplified version of the very complex Greek Myths, but it got me interested nonetheless. And I still look at it every now and then if I need a refresher.
7. The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne. I was an avid Winnie-the-Pooh fan as a child. Lydia and I would get up extra early on Saturday mornings (when we'd spent the night at one another's house) and watch Pooh. I can only hope my someday-kids love Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Christopher Robin and the rest of the gang as much as we did.
8. Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo! by Rosetta Stone. Yes, I do believe that is the author's real name. This was another bedtime favorite. It's a slightly lesser-known kid's book, but I really loved it. Especially when whoever was reading it to me (usually my grandma) fake-sneezed. That really got some chuckles out of 4-year-old me.
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I think I had both the regular and pop-up versions of this book. To this day, I think the illustrations are some of the most beautiful in the world.
10. A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein. I looooved this book. And you know what? You probably did, too.
And that's it, another list! What were your favorite books as a kid? What books did you/will you read to your kids?
xoxo
2 comments:
I love children's books. It was one of the best parts about teaching elementary school! My oldest son still has his copy of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. It's the most awesome book. I have so many favorites. All the Steven Kellogg books are great and I also like Maurice Sendak and Tomie DePaola. Probably more for the art work than the stories.
There was this book called "Jessica". I don't remember the author, but I love it! It was about a little girl who went to kindergarten and her imaginary friend's name was Jessica. Then, she found a friend at school named Jessica and they were best friends! I also pretty much loved any Golden Books, I had about a 100.
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