Children’s Books

Good reading habits are inculcated when we’re young. Parents read to their children not only to entertain and spark creativity, but also to stress the importance of reading and eventually have their children read with them. Some books, however, are light years apart from others. We’ve all been there (either as parents or kids), trying to get through a bad book with lazy illustrations and a monotonous plot line. It’s no fun, for the adult or the kid.

So to avoid that painful process we’ve got a host of great children’s books here. There are many more where these came from, but if you don’t have any of these on the bookshelf, you’re doing your kid a disservice.

Where the Wild Things Are

It would be tragic if you’re reading this and haven’t heard of this book. This was an absolute must-have, classic, that stands the test of time. The message was heartwarming, the illustrations otherworldly, and kids came away wanting to let their inner monsters out (in a positive way). But the best part was, when all was said and down, Max (the main character) returns to his mother and a hot dinner.

Goodnight Moon

Your loyal scribe has read this time and time again. It’s a go-to book to get the kids down and not bore you to death doing it. Let’s face it – there’s a ton of bad children’s books out there. Finding the good ones takes time, and why shouldn’t we adults enjoy reading them at the same time. After all, we’re doing the bedtime heavy lifting. This book it littered with hidden jokes, and twists to keep your kid attentive, but falling fast to zzz land.

The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein was a giant in the children’s literary world. His passing was a great loss for all, but his genius lives on with The Giving Tree. In this story the tree gives its life for a boy, and while there have been a host of religious and environmentalist theories as to why, getting beyond the “politics,” it’s a beautiful story and one that deserves to be re-told for an eternity.

The Lorax

No children’s book list would be complete without the incomparable Dr. Seuss. Regardless of the book, the good Dr. always takes the reader through a magical maze of wonder and enchantment, replete with gifts and surprises along the way, and always leading them back to a moral and tender message. The Lorax plays with you as you read. Adults can be caught reading this alone, it’s that good.

Press Here

Talk about an interactive experience. Press Here is a book, but as you read, you’re also interacting with the dots on the pages. The story is rather simple – press here, and see what happens. As the pages turn the reader is whipped through a series of results of what had occurred by pressing on the dot or dots on the previous page. Kids love it because they can play along with reading. Adults aren’t bored, and everyone comes out a winner!

The Berenstain Bears

Warning – don’t pick up the Berenstain Bears thinking you’ll set it down after reading and that will be that. Kids go bonkers over this book, and we must admit, it is real good reading. Authors Stan and Jan Berenstain pack this tale for of morality lessons, but smartly distinguished as riveting stories where these bears are involved in all sorts of antics. Kids love it, and parents love the messaging even more.

These were just a couple to whet the palate. Dr. Seuss especially has dozens more, but these are great books to always have on hand. You never know when that grandchild is going to pop into the picture.