Favorite Children’s Books ~ Take 1

Welcome to all who have clicked over from Amongst Lovely Things and the Podcast with Tsh Oxenreider! I hope you stick around for a little while and explore Mt. Hope Chronicles. If you are searching for book lists, they are scattered throughout all posts and are usually tagged with Literary Buffet, Reading Aloud, The Reading Child, or Picture Book Picnic. To make it easier for you (and to share some of my favorites all in one spot), here is a list of a few of our favorites. I’ll be adding more book posts in the next few days, so stay tuned!

Board Books

• Cozy Classics are fun for both parents and children. Twelve words (one on each page) from classics such as Tom Sawyer, Les Miserables, Oliver Twist, and Moby Dick are paired with exquisite photographs of expressive felt figures. Jane Eyre is Lola’s favorite.

Picture Books

• Barbara Cooney is my favorite picture book author and illustrator, and I think Miss Rumphius is my most favorite. Roxaboxen and Ox-Cart Man are absolutely lovely as well.

• Amos & Boris by William Steig is a celebration of both unlikely friendship and fantastic vocabulary.

Beginning Chapter Books

• Speaking of William Steig, many people do not realize that he also wrote chapter books. No child should miss reading The Real Thief, Dominic, and Abel's Island. These three books are excellent read-alouds due to the delightful and sophisticated vocabulary.

• Little Pear is an adventurous little boy living in a small village in China. Don’t miss his continuing story in Little Pear and His Friends.

• For a slightly darker, wild celebration of words, try James Thurber’s The 13 Clocks, or The Wonderful O. Be sure to check out Thurber’s picture book Many Moons, as well!

Chapter Books

• Half Magic by Edward Eager was published in 1954, and my boys adore this whole series. Don’t miss!

• Every child needs to meet Pippi. Hilarious and endearing.

• The Little Britches series by Ralph Moody is an excellent family read-aloud. Tears will be streaming—from laughter and heartache. Be sure to have the second book on hand. Father and I Were Ranchers ends on a sorrowful note and you’ll want to move on through the story.

• For older children and their parents, I highly recommend The Squire's Tale series. I can’t say when I’ve been more entertained and delighted by a book series. The books are easy to read, but surprisingly profound, and several friends who have read them loved them. Full of strong characters, both male and female, the adventures appeal to both boys (mine!) and girls (me!). These are Arthurian legends, however, and the books don’t shy away from male and female relationships (Lancelot and Guinevere or Tristan and Isolde, anyone?), but the author tells the stories in an appropriate manner and never makes wrong actions seem appealing.

 

Come back tomorrow for more book recommendations!