How about a post about one of the best things in the world?
So I said, "Why not?"
She was driving across Nebraska when she told me one of her favorite childhood books was Millions of Cats. And we both discovered we loved Make Way For Ducklings and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, especially Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. She told me the story of Millions of Cats and I told her about The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read, 'cause who wants to escape childhood for good and never remember the good things you loved? The books that are still worth reading when you're older and know more things?
So here's my list of favorite childhood books. Because books are the best things in the this world. Because no matter what fails in this world, books will always be there. And these ones, I want my to read to my kids. There's no stopping joy when it fills you up.
In no particular order. I've read a lot of them to my little brothers and sisters already. Yeah, joy reading began early in my family:
Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton
Make Way For Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey
Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen
Especially this one.
The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read, by Irma Simonton Black
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, by Alice Dalgliesh
Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey
One Morning in Maine, Robert McCloskey
The Matchlock Gun, by Walter D. Edmonds
Barney the Beagle, by Jean Bethell
This was my daddy's book, and I remember reading to my little brother years ago before it got so old and torn Mama put it up.
Frog and Toad, by Arnold Lobel
Time for Bed, by Mem Fox
I have fond memories of Mama reading this to me before bed.
White Snow, Bright Snow, by Alvin Tresselt
The Pokey Little Puppy, by Jeanette Sebring Lowery
Curious George Flies a Kite, by Margret Rey
The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy, by Jane Thayer
I remember reading this book one Christmas, and I was so sad for the puppy because my mama reads books so well it pert near brings little girls to tears.
We Help Daddy, by Mini Stein
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia, by Peggy Parish
And any other Amelia Bedelia books, but I especially remember reading this one a lot because it was the only one we had that wasn't from the library.
The Biggest Bear, by Lynd Ward
The New Baby, by Ruth and Harold Shane
Johnny Appleseed, by Stephen Kellog
I love the illustrations in this book. I would pick it up just to look at the pictures. The pictures made the whole book worth it.
The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams
I've got them all in a happy pile here in my room, and I can't wait to sit in the hall and read them, as I periodically do. Innocence brings back a sense of confidence for me, the returning of things I know and love, and are still there. I hope it does for you, too.
What are some of your favorite childhood books?
3 comments:
Oh, I love so many of these!!! Especially Frog & Toad, Time for Bed, Curious George, We Help Daddy, and Amelia Bedelia!!! The Poky Little Puppy gives me a wonderful, piercing ache because I read it at my grandparents' house (who are in heaven now, and I miss them very much). I'll have to go and check out the others you mentioned that I haven't read. :) I also like Babar, The Story about Ping, A Birthday for Frances, Too Noisy, and Beatrix Potter books. :) Wow, I could keep going, there are so many good ones! :)
This brought back so many wonderful memories! How I loved reading to you and I am so happy you caught the "book bug".
Love you,
Mama
!!!!kids' books are the best. LOVE Frog and Toad! And the Velveteen Rabbit is brilliant, I remember reading it as a kid and being disturbed by the intense sadnes of it :P I never get tired of that one.
My all-time favourite is Where the Wild Things Are, I think you would love it if you haven't read it already :) And I love fairy tales with gorgeous illustrations... Trina Schart Hyman and P.J. Lynch AHHH.
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