Books for Children (of any age)
Christa
Monday, May 14, 2012 at 11:50AM When I was a little girl, my family had a tradition on Saturday mornings. We would eat doughnuts at the little eat-in spot in the grocery store and then go to the library. I can still remember the feeling of calm and stillness in that building. It reminds me of church where there is a certain smell and feel to the air, both being heavier than in other spaces.
I remember the libraries from each of the cities I have lived in.
I remember school libraries and the library from college.
We live close to a library now. We walk there often in the summer. It is a safe and special place and I’m grateful for its’ nearness.
We read often to our girls. Paul is currently reading his way through The Chronicles of Narnia with Stella. Dayli goes through phases with books, loving one and needing to read it several times a day and then it goes back on the shelf replaced by a new favorite.
There are many beautiful children’s books out there. Some, with pictures so beautiful your eyes ache. Some, that bring raucous laughter or quiet tears with each reading. Whether you have children or not, I recommend you take a walk to your library (drive if you must) and find a corner and see if you can’t read a few of the following:
In the Beginning There was no Sky by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
This book is a sweet account of the creation of the world. It’s thoughtful, beautiful and was Paul’s gift to Stella for Christmas a few years ago. On the trip that was to be my last time seeing my Granma, one of the last moments I had with her was reading this book aloud to her. My eyes well with tears. Every. Single. Time.
There’s a Train Going By My Window by Wendy Kesselman
This is a book the same Granma gave to me when I was little. Her handwriting lives in the front. The images were so exotic to my little Kansas girl mind. It’s a simple rhyme about a girl dreaming where the train that runs past her window will take her. I think it’s about dreams and hope.
The Serendipity Series by Stephen Cosgrove
These books are from my childhood as well. I remember thinking that the pictures were lovely. Each story strives to tell a lesson, perhaps about manners or patience. They all take place in a magical world called Serendipity and it’s great for the imagination.
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
I bought this book for Stella. Again, the illustrations are beautiful. It tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a simple and profound way. Some of Martin’s big words are: Together. Love. Peace. Freedom.
Kiss Goodnight By Amy Hest and Anita Jeram
This was a board book that my parents bought for baby Stella. A momma bear readies her son for bed. This book is so gooey sweet that your heart will melt as you wish your momma had the same bedtime routine for you when you were a child.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
The legend goes that Chris Van Allsburg came across these drawings in the home of a friend. The friend once worked for a children’s book publisher where the drawings were dropped off one day by Harris Burdick. Burdick was invited to return the following day to bring along the stories he had written to go along with each picture. But, Harris Burdick never returned. These are lovely, creepy, imagination-stirring images that all children need to look at and then wonder about.
The Peace Book by Todd Parr
Simple and profound. This book is a good definition of the peace that I think every woman, man and child is to strive to bring to the world. (all of his books are delightful!)
Porcupining by Lisa Wheeler
A book we found in the library one summer, told in rhyme with a sweet little twangy song to sing, all the RL’s fell in love with this. A porcupine is looking for love and you have to read it to see if he finds any!!!
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Another book from my librarian granma. It was magical to me when I was little. Poor Sylvester makes a poor choice of a wish on a magic pebble and a bit of a sad adventure ensues. But, all is well that ends well. And love...well, love is the main idea here...and all the characters understand that at adventures end.
Happy Reading!























