Recommended Books for Your Children...

Following is the children's book review that Lisa L. wrote for our March newsletter:

In my second year of college, I had to take a Children’s Literature class. I can remember going to the college book store feeling slightly silly picking up my course materials that included James and The Giant Peach, Make Way for Ducklings, and Charlotte’s Web. It turned out that that class was one of the most influential, and probably one of my favorite classes that I took. It’s was during that class that I realized the importance of reading aloud to your children, and my love for children’s literature grew.

The “text” book that we used for that class was Jim Trelease’s, The Read Aloud Handbook. This book isn’t just beneficial to teachers, but to parents as well. It’s full of do’s and don’ts of reading aloud, and has compelling information on the importance of reading to your children. Also, Jim Trelease has a wonderful web-site that includes a “Treasury of Read Alouds”.

So all this to say that reading has become one of my favorite things to do with my children. Reading to them, reading along side of them, and having them “read” to me. Here are some of our favorite and most loved books:

As mentioned above, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is one of our favorites. In the book, you follow Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, as they search for the perfect place to raise their ducklings. Through beautiful art work, rich text, and a charming story, children are drawn into the book and will be asking you to read it again and again.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Joffe Numeroff is another one of our favorites. This is a light and silly book that teaches children about cause and effect. Because if you do give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to need a glass of milk, and that’s just the beginning of a long line of needs for this little mouse.

Another oldie, but a goodie is Mr. Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham. Join Mr. Gumpy as he welcomes many animals aboard his little boat, as long as they follow his instructions. Before long, the animals do what they are not suppose to, causing a great mishap! Your children will quickly learn the lines to this book, and will easily be able to “read” along.




We also love the Jesus Storybook Bible, Every Story Whispers His Name, by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Through bright and colorful language and artwork, Bible stories are presented in a way that puts Jesus at the center of it all. Redemption and God’s endless love are seen through every story, making this one of our favorite night-time reads. How sweet it is to spend the end of our day teaching our children the Greatest Story of all.

We also love following the characters/authors in the following series/sets, Hermie and Friends, by Max Lucado; Curious George by H. A. Rey; ,Dr. Seuss Books , and Sandra Boynton books.