Allow me to state the obvious. Reading is good. For so many reasons. We read a lot in our house. I hope that I can give my children the gift of books, and the love of reading. I remember how important I felt when, each week during one summer, I walked to the library 1/4 mile from my house, and spent afternoons browsing the young adult books in the library basement. I still love to bury my nose in a book that smells like must, print, paper, and fingerprints of readers past. That summer I read the Little House on the Prairie series, and I loved it.
While I’m positive Mr. Pickle will be a reader, Miss Plum? Who knows. Baby 2 gets fewer books, it is just the way it is (in my house, at least). Fingers crossed we will be able to start a real bedtime book routine with her soon. (Actually, fingers crossed that she’ll start sleeping through the night sometime soon, sheesh, but that is a post for another day.)
Here are some of the books that Mr. Pickle has loved in his first 2.5 years:
Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Some nice repetition, a funny story, and the word “ultimatum” – I’ve read this book at least 150 times.
Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever
I remember this book from when I was little! There is so much to talk about on each page. And Kenny Bear eats a remarkable amount of food for breakfast. Honorable mention: Richard Scarry’s Cars Trucks and Things That Go.
Good Night New Hampshire by Adam Gamble and Anne Rosen
We like these. My husband was on some sort of kick and bought 14 different books in the “Good Night Our World” series. They are quick reads, show kids different landmarks in different cities/places and since they’re board books, they’re good for little hands that like to crinkle and rip.
A Potty for Me! by Karen Katz
When my son first started considering potty-training, he liked this book a lot. He especially liked the part where the mom says, “That’s okay!” I think the book has annoying rhymes (together/water, etc) but was a nice little book on the subject.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
I love this book and so does my little boy. The rhymes and rhythm are lovely. It has all of the heavy machinery Pickle loves. I consider it a must-have, and will likely be giving it as a gift this Christmas to a few under-twos.
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
I adore this book. It is my favorite. The illustrations by Barbara Cooney are so lovely. The story is poetry (not surprising given that the author is a poet who was the American Poet Laureate in 2006) and it is local. For several months we read this book at least once a night. And we always made sure to kiss each other on the nose.
Angelo by David Macaulay
My son recently discovered this book – a signed copy was given to him as a gift. It is way over his head, it is long and is sad, but he likes trying to figure it out. He enjoys hearing about Angelo helping Sylvia. I suspect we’ll be reading this one for years.
What Pete Ate from A – Z by Maira Kalman
This book is quirky, funny, and full of weird characters. It is actually fun to read. I have given this book as a gift before, and it has been well-received. I’m glad my son likes this book because I don’t mind reading it every night.
So tell me, what are some of your favorites?
