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I am big on book that kids LOVE to hear as read alouds... so Judy Blume's "Fudge" Series is WAY up there on my list, as is Sharon Creech's "Love That Dog".
:)
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Cathy
- Wednesday, October 3 2007
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Any book that encourages a child to read more like Sharon Creech's Heart Beat, Riordan's Percy Jackson Series, DiTerlizzi's Spiderwick Chronicles, Beverly Cleary's Romona books and Roald Dahl's Matilda are just a few.
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Thanks, WickedStepmother!
Thanks, too, cleverkus! I am not familiar yet with most of the books you've mentioned... what makes them the kinds of books that "encourage a child to read more"? What are their special qualities?
Both you and WickedStepmother mentioned Sharon Creech. It would be interesting to find out what about her books make them special...
By the end of October, I plan to post here an interim summary of what our members' favorite books so far and the list of "criteria" for why we consider them great children's books... hopefully, it can help a lot of us who are in the children's book business too, as well as all of us who read and choose books for children (I understand we have quite a number of teachers here, too!) not only for ourselves.
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Cathy
- Wednesday, November 28 2007
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I am sorry that I have not replied sooner. A book that a child can not put down because it is well written and makes them want more is a book that encourages reading. When you figure out what genre a child loves then the next step is presenting them with that book that they will fall in love with.
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ajie
- Thursday, October 4 2007
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Hi, gracewithfire. I like your book, by the way. :) Hmm, let's see. I usually ask friends with good taste in books what titles they recommend. But if i'm in the bookstore myself and looking for one, the cover definitely has to be good. It doesn't necessarily have to be all 64 crayolas represented in one cover, but the artwork has to catch my attention. And i'm very particular about paper. It saddens me that some books are still printed on newsprint... I read almost anything anyway so don't look for a particular theme or whatever (except when i'm in the mood for something specific). If the book i end up buying because the cover looked nice turns out to be a good read, then i'll be raving about it to friends. Have you read Shel Silverstein's The Missing Piece? It's goood.
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Thanks, Ajie. I am honored.
Nope I haven't read The Missing Piece yet, although I watched a short film on the same title once... hmmm... I wonder if it's the same (the rolling circle trying to find its missing piece?).
Anyway, what about The Missing Piece that you find special? : )
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Hello ajie my beautiful friend! I can't believe I forgot to put that in! The MIssing Piece I mean.
G, you have to, have to, have to read that book. I love the visuals. They're brilliant. That's one thing I really like about it. They're all line drawings and it takes real talent to do something so deceptively simple as that.
I like the whole development of the story too. It's jam-packed with moral lessons. Makes me think of PacMan though. But yes, it's cute.
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ajie
- Saturday, October 6 2007
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Yes, gwf, it's the one with the rolling pacman (as iLoveUFL has so aptly put). Where did you see that film?!?! How come i never even knew there was a film?!?!? Hmm, let's see. I like the story because it's so simple but you can put all sorts of deep meaning to it. :P The Missing Piece Meets the Big O is even better, i think. More going on in that story. Same illustrations. And it's surprising because 2 of my reading-age kids (12 and 6) appreciate it these books primarily for humor, but when i ask them what the story meant to them, they actually get it. But i have great kids, so there you go.
You should really be honored i like your book. I have very good taste. :)
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I saw The Missing Piece in college, way back in the late 1980s. It was even on betamax tape. : ) Maybe the film was made before the book? Interesting lead for research...
Thanks for the sharing! We have quite a list here now of the best children's book ever and why. I'm excited to see what the rest of all our old and new members have to say, before I post the interim summary by Hallow's Eve!
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Hi: I was opposed to answering this question. There are such a plenitude of children's literature I adore -I just didn't have it in me to pinpoint any specific title, or author although applauds to The Little Prince nod. Maybe we could get a discussion going on this big wonder. That would certainly prove interesting. I'm happy to report though that my opposition has now turned into hesitation; look forward to more on the subject from me in the future. It's nice to see this little club thrive the way it has --G.
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Hi everyone. I'm a grade one teacher in an international school. I'm an American, but am now living in Europe. I've been introduced to a lot of children's books written by European authors that are new to me. As a child, I loved Dr. Seuss and Pippi Longstocking. Now that I teach, I really enjoy clever rhyming books that help the children become aware of word patterns. More than that, there are so many great international stories, stories that help children feel important, etc. Like Rikki Tikki Tembo, The Seven Chinese Brothers; Leo Lionni books like Little Blue and Little Yellow; Leo the Late Bloomer, Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon... I can't narrow it down to even a few favourites. I'm always looking for great books for kids, so I'm going to enjoy hearing from everyone. I look for quirky books with humour, books that teach something, but in a subtle way, books that honour diversity and are internationally-minded, books that raise questions and make us think in a new way, etc. I am always first attracted to beautiful pictures.
Take Care,
Kathy
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Sooo glad to see "Leo the Late Bloomer" here! It is such a lovely book. And I think it is tremedously meaningful to my 4 year old with autism.
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nutmeg
- Sunday, November 11 2007
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My favorite children's book ever has to be Alice in Wonderland. It's just so perfect. I think children really like a bit of nonsense and they like to be challenged; especially to think beyond "children's issues". When I'm perusing at work (I'm a children's librarian), I look for characters that jump of the page, a good plot, and some sort of literary, social, or historical allusion. I know someone mentioned Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson Series. Those are just wonderful. I've got my non-reader fiance hooked on those via book on tape.
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Welcome to KathyM and Nutmeg, and thank you for your sharing!
I know, Halloween has come and gone, but I haven't yet posted the "summary" so far of our members' posts to the question "What's your best children's book ever, and why?", but I just wanted everyone to know that I'm working on it.
Meanwhile, please feel free to post questions/start a topic in our group anytime you feel like it.
Best and many blessings!
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Emily D
- Tuesday, November 27 2007
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Hi! I'm Emily:Mom of two toddlers, muralist and children's book lover. My all time favorite children's book is "We Were tired of Living in a House" by Liesel Moak Skorpen with illustrations by the awesome Doris Burn. I enjoy it because of the repetition of all the things the children take with them from place to place, the idea of escaping your parents, and for the amazing illustrations. I am also a HUGE fan of "The Dot" because it lets everyone know that ANYONE is capable of making art and bringing beauty into the world.
I grew up in a home short on toys and long on books. We have over 800 children's books in our home in keeping with the family tradition.
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I've just begun the Junie B. books with my 6 y.o. and find them wonderful. Engaging for both adults and children, the language is funny and accessible. And I adore the love of books and reading that is emphasized.
Other great children's books for me:
A Wrinkle in Time
The Little Bear series
The Original Raggedy Ann stories
Wizard of Oz
Where the Wild Things Are
ANY Seuss!
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I love Emil the dectective, books about Paddington the bear and also Richmal Crompton's William Brown series....
and I absolutely love Enid Blytons.. adventure series, findouters,and adventurous four...
n.. oh!!
.. of course the three investigators.. by alfred hitchcock...
n...(..um.. a little too many are my favourites..)...what katy did
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Hello!
Since I'm an illustrator, the first thing I look for in a children's book are the images. If the book has unique, wonderful illustrations, then it excites me to read and get to know more about the book. So,
1. The best children's books for me are those with great illustrations
2. I also look for stories that are funny and very smart, makes you giggle at the corner of a bookshelf all by yourself.
We can't really tell what books are loved among children unless you are a child yourself, but it would be interesting to know what makes them special. Kids today I think are very smart and crazy.
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Tara L
- Saturday, May 10 2008
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A compilation of my children's and my own favorite childhood stories:
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss- It's as much music as it is literature.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery- For its unbridled imagination.
The Olivia Books by Ian Falconer- A refreshingly spunky protagonist!
And now I have hungry children, so more on this later!
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I couldn't even choose just one! There are so many children's books I love!!
My youngest children are 4 and 5 years old and the books they have enjoyed recently are The Skippyjon Jones ones by Judy Schachner. They are about a Siamese kitten who pretends he is a chihuahua and he has little adventures in his closet. They are hilarious!! You have to read them out loud with a Spanish accent!! SO FUN!!
Also you mention Shannon Hale- this is the second time today her name has come up. I just saw her speak at a PTA convention I was at. I have never read any of her books, but she was so entertaining that I will definitely read them!
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