40 Books Every Child Should Read
JulieAs the Half Pint Library book drive draws to a close, we are reminded once again of the importance reading plays in a child's development. It is a fact that children who live in a print-rich environment are much more likely to learn how to read on schedule and have a bigger and better vocabulary.
Did you know that children's books actually contain 50% more rare words than primetime television (or even college students' conversations)? As essential as early literacy is, the wealth of children's literature that we have available to choose from can be overwhelming. So we consulted with our HPB Bibliomaniacs and asked: What do you consider to be some of the best children's books ever written? And without further ado, here are 40 Books Every Child Should Read:
Does anyone else have the unquenchable desire to raid the children's section of your local Half Price
Books for The Poky Little Puppy, Where the Sidewalk Ends and There's a Monster at the End of
this Book?! I sure do.
Remember, the 2012 Half Pint Library book drive ends on Saturday, March 31. Please donate a new or
gently used kids book, and help share the love of reading with children in need.
How many of these books do you remember reading? What's your childhood favorite?
-- Julie
This website is made from 100% completely recycled materials.
Reader Comments (59)
D Connett, the book you are referring to is on the list. Love You Forever is the name of it. It is definately a timeless must read for children and adults.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis.
More great reads: Somebody Loves you Mr. Hatch, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and my most recent favorite.. The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis...
I can't believe you would include Stuart Little before mentioning Charlotte's Web! It must have been an oversize :-). Also, can you tell me where you got that stat abt children's lit containing 50% more rare words than
TV or adult conversations? I would love to be able to use that!
Dr Suess, Sneeches, and Oh the Places you will go. Love your choices. Some I haven't read to my Grand son, so very excited to pick up and read.
Kate DiCamillo is a wonderful childrens author as well, Edward Tulane I think is the one we love, but she writes so many very good ones.
Asilee ^
That book you are talking about is called "Caps for Sale" It was one of my favorites too ;)
Asilee - Caps For Sale
"Blueberries for Sal" gets our vote and how about one more cheer for "Strega Nona".
Astrid Lindgren should be on this list. She's best known for "Pippi Longstockings" but my all time favorites are "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter" and "The brothers Lionheart"... Children's novels that shape you for life!!
Such a great list! My favorite is "Guess How Much I Love You"...a gift to my husband when I became pregnant...and his favorite is "The Little Prince" and a baby gift from my aunt and cousins was a package of their favorite books which included "Cordoroy" and "Good Dog Carl" (not on your list). Children's books were "date" books when I dated my hubbie...we went on picnics and I read to him...love the illustrations and happy endings. Our favorite was "Wind in the Willows".
ps my son and I now hang out at your store...he reads, I shop, our house overflows with books and we like it that way!
Lynnea
One of my favorite children's books is Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. A must read and a great read-aloud
D Connett - you're thinking of " I'll Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch - another favorite of his for me is "The Paper Bag Princess"
Asilee--the book is CAPS FOR SALE. I just bought it for my daughters.
I hope that people realize that when you show Skippyjon Jones that they should also consider the other Skippyjon books, and all of the Pidgeon books, and the Bear books. My favorite Bear book is "Bear Stays Up for Christmas". I like it a lot better than "Bear Snores On". And, my coworker teaches the book "Pidgeon Eats a Hotdog" each year. Or is it "A Hotdog for Pidgeon"? Anyway, that one is her favorite of that series. Read the ones listed and consider using them as a guide.
It's so hard to make a complete list of all the best children's books. There are so many and tastes vary of course. I would like to add "The Quiltmaker's Gift", "Tacky the Penguin", and "Tikki Tikki Tembo"
In answer to the very first comment about he story of the man with many hats. The book is "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins." It's one of my children's favorites too.
Cannot believe someone else has heard of and read The Happy Hollisters. I have the entire series and couldn't wait for the next book to come in the mail. I too do not like Skippy Jon Jones.
Cannot believe someone else has heard of and read The Happy Hollisters. I have the entire series and couldn't wait for the next book to come in the mail. I too do not like Skippy Jon Jones.
Thanks for posting all of these great book titles I have a two year old and we are always seeking new titles to read as a family. Many of the above titles I loved as a child and had forgotten about, so this post is a lovely reminder. :)
A quick query....
I loved "The All of a Kind Family" series as a child. (My grade three teacher read them to our class throughout the year). Copies seem to be very hard to come by now. Does anyone else have wonderful memories of these books? If so, where did you purchased them?
@Asilee
Are you thinking of this book? The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins : http://www.amazon.com/Hats-Bartholomew-Cubbins-Classic-Seuss/dp/039484484X
Love you forever by Robert munsch.
All the Little House books, Socks, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Witch of Blackbird Pond... I could go on and on.
For older kids, I would add the entire "Harry Potter" series! I always loved the "Little House" series. How about "Beezus and Ramona," "Cat in the Hat," "Junie B. Jones"? I also loved "The Stone Doll of Sister Brute" and "Bread and Jam for Frances." Glad to see "Where the Wild Things Are" and "James and the Giant Peach" on the list!
Asilee, caps for sale
I loved the Carolyn Haywood books. My favorite was "The Oldest, the Youngest, and the One in the Middle." Another was a book my dad bought for me and I bought for my son, "Stories that Never Grow Old". It is a collection of a number of wonderful stories.