So, I'm waiting to be a grandma - or a nana - or a grammy - or a...well, I just haven't decided on a name. Suggestions are welcome!
No surprise that, as a mom, I had shelves and shelves or books for my three children to read. It didn't hurt that when they were growing up I spent time as a children's book reviewer and helped sort through books for my local newspaper's annual book sale (thousands of books!). Two of my children of them had very specific likes while one was a reluctant reader that I was constantly trying to tempt with a new series or subject.
But the best time was when they were little enough to snuggle up on the couch with you and read a book - or five. So, with grandmother-hood looming I decided to haul out the plastic boxes that held all my picture books and get some back on the shelves. After spending an afternoon sorting through them, here are a few of my favorites that I think every grandma/nan/mommom/bacia should have.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
In my eyes, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a classic. It's fun to read and it will tickle your funny bone. Not only that, but if your kids really like it there are lots of other books...If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Moose a Muffin. We made a lot of cookies, muffins and
pancakes so they were a natural in our house. You can check out the other versions on the website for author Laura Numeroff.
The Monster at the End of This Book
What list would be complete without a Golden Book? The Monster at the End of This Book will be your child's first introduction to suspense and a surprise ending that no matter how many times we read it, always ended in giggles. It could have been the funny voices. There's even a sequel: Another Monster at the End of This Book.
Curious George
For a octogenarian, Curious George is a funny and mischievous monkey. He gets into trouble everywhere! But not a lot of trouble. Just a bit of trouble that always gets straightened out in the end. Maybe you won't want to give your child any ideas on trouble to get up to but I do love him. H. A. Rey and Margret Rey wrote seven Curious George titles and you can learn their fascinating story in The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey. Added bonus: there are many more books written after the originals and we started buying them as the perfect souvenir when we visited somewhere special. Curious George had adventures at the beach, museum, zoo, camping, chocolate factory, train. Much better than a t-shirt your child will outgrow in a month.
Make Way for Ducklings
Because we have wild ducks in our backyard, Make Way for Ducklings was a favorite. It didn't hurt that when you visit Boston's Public Garden near Beacon and Charles Streets you can actually see a statue of the duckling family. Robert McCloskey has a few other books - mostly about New England - like One Morning in Maine and Blueberries for Sal.
It's clear I have too many favorites to list but here are a few more:
Perhaps next post I'll tell you about the books I read SO MANY TIMES because my kids loved them but I dreaded them!
What are the favorite children's books in your family?
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