Favorites from my daughters’ bookshelves

I started collecting children’s books before I had children. As a teacher it was easy to pick up lots of books that I might use with my fifth or sixth grade classes. When I was in college my “Backgrounds of Children’s Literature” instructor talked about his collection of children’s books. He introduced me to several really good ones that were new since my mother and I had read most of the children’s section of our small town library.

Now, my kids have their own library of books, with two huge shelves under the television in the family room, a couple book cubes of to the side, as well as a bunch of books in each of their rooms. Here are a few of their favorites:

With a Whoop and a Holler by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Scott Cook

My oldest, who is nearly six, loves to have her father read stories from this book, which is subtitled, “A Bushel of Lore from Way Down South.” He is very good at reading with the accents to make the stories very interesting. I think her favorites are from the section of stories from Louisiana, although part of that may be that Daddy likes to read them for the bits of French thrown into the stories.

Next Please Ernst Jandl and Norman Junge

My mother discovered this book for the girls. It is a book with few words; the story is mostly told by the illustrations. There are several toys that are sitting in a waiting area, all with injuries. A door opens and someone calls, “Next, please.” This is a great book to use with children who might be afraid of doctor visits. Both of my girls enjoy reading it.

Wake Up, Night Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Iris Hiskey Arno, illustrated by Mary Melcher

One of the relatives gave this to my oldest as a gift. It is a glow-in-the-dark, lift-the-flap book. All the creatures of the night are waking up, but guess who is going to bed at the end? Great for bedtime.

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed Margaret Chodos-Irvine

This book makes me think of my youngest daughter, who will wear nothing unless it is a dress. She won’t even wear a skirt. Ella Sarah is very particular about her clothing as well and rejects all suggestions made about what to wear. She ends up with a spectacular, clashing outfit, but she and her friends are very pleased.