Favorite Books

There are a lot of children's books out there, too many, and oh too many that are not good at all. I am always on the look out for really good books, the ones whose characters I want my children to be like, or have magic in their pages, or that I don't mind reading over and over and over as kids really like to do.

So here it is, my top ten children's books, that no matter what time of day (typically), what my mood, I have no problem dropping anything to share the stories in these pages with my children. I am trying to rid my home of all the others, the ones I roll my eyes and make excuses not to read! Maybe I will do a post on the books I would avoid.

Knitting Nell: Oh how I love you. She is just so darn sweet, though her friends aren't very nice and don't really give her any credit until she wins a prize, but still I love this book, and I love that Asher wants to be Nell, or one of her friends and I either teach him to knit or he teaches me. The illustrations are great too, which is essentially a must for my favorite reading list.

A Grand Old Tree: Such a winner on the cycle of a tree. I especially love that the story continues after the tree has died. A good way to talk about all of life's different cycles. Plus the little blue bird in the pictures is so cute.
Castles, Cave and Honeycombs: I love the rhyming in this book. I originally used it in a preschool program on animal homes thanks to a co-worker and couldn't stop reciting it in my head. This was the first book that Asher seemed to memorize, I would say the animal and he would tell me it's type of home. The pictures are great, the words are minimal, and there is a lot of room for exploring the book without the words.
Sun Bread: I really like this author. This book is magical for me. Some of the rhyming isn't my favorite, but I absolutely love the line that the sun wove ribbons through the tree and think of it often when I am up so early to see the sun rise and as it peaks over the horizon it weaves ribbons of light through out cedar trees. Just a sweet story.
The Story of May (sorry no link, out of print): A lucky find at the library, a personified view of the year that again feels magical and alive. I found a used copy for our home and a friend. It is long on some occasions, but I love the feeling of it, that I still will drop almost anything to read it and love it as an only book bedtime tale.
The Story of the Little Mole who went in Search of the Whodunit: A great book about poop. And more importantly being able to identify an animal by a trace they have left behind. Can I really say a fun book of poop? I love this book, older kids laugh so much as we are talking about poop and younger kids just think it's cool to see all the different animals poop. This has led to big discussions with Asher about what animal his poop looks like and is a great book for tracking animals and looking for all of their signs.
The Ugly Vegetables: Good stuff on veggies that not a lot of kids (and parents) are familiar with, and more importantly being okay with being different. I just like this story, female lead characters, good gardening story, good food story, good community story.
The Little Blue Truck: We checked this one out from the library a few to many times and probably bought the book in fines (not really), but were very happy to have it gifted to our collection. This book was one of A's first favorites. I love the rhythmics, story and illustrations. I love that so many of the words are in different colors and that a lot of things repeat. Seems to be a great book to learn to identify some first words.
As that is only 8, two other favorites without pictures

Listen, Listen: a great book all about the changing seasons. I think with older kids it would be fun to recreate this book with all the things they like best about each season. I love the artwork. Simple text.

The Lion and the Little Red Bird: from the same author as Sun Bread. Such a wonderful, magical tale. I was really in such suspense the first time I read it and still enjoy it every time since. The illustrations incorporate collage and fiber, which is rare and something I love. A great book that also has lead to some great creative play, Asher being my little bird and me taking him on adventures, or the other way around.