Children's Books

     I have a very hard time thinking about my favorite children's books. I could read to children all day if I could- and there have been some rainy days where I have. There are the books that bring back a feeling of comfort from my own childhood, there are the books I appreciate as a teacher and/or an artist, and there are the books that I love to see the children I teach have an amazing reaction to.

Books from My Own Childhood
      Little Red Riding Hood, different versions of it, remind me of snuggling up with my grandmother, and being absolutely terrified, but being so comforted knowing my grandmother was right there- and that she was not eaten by any wolf.
     The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don and Audrey Wood, appeals to all 3 categories. I loved looking at the pictures when I was little and I loved that I could read along once we read it so many times. I love it now, still because of the pictures, I think they're phenomenal from an artist's perspective- your eyes just move around the page. And I love reading it to the children in my class, they get such a kick out of it, they love when I change the tone of my voice, and now they can read along, too, because we've read it so often.

Books I Appreciate as an Adult
    Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. As a teacher, I love this book because of: rhyming, repetition (reading memorization), and learning a lesson (to try new things). As an artist, I love Dr. Seuss. I think he did amazing things for children's books and illustration.
     The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats, I love because of the simplicity and innocence of being a child. Sometimes I think too many lessons are thrown at children, and I believe that the most important lessons of being a child are learned through simple stories like this.

Books I Love to Read to Children
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss. I don't know if it's because children aren't read this story anymore, or that once they hit 3, they really understand it, but every year I read this book, I have a child: a. cling to me, b. yell at the Grinch, c. cry, and d. smile from year to ear by the end of story. I think I cry, too, because I get such a strong reaction from children to this book, even those kids that are a little harder to reach emotionally. I just love it, and it puts me in such a good mood.
   Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I feel like this is the ultimate lesson in imagination. I feel like the book takes children on a journey into the imagination and allows them to believe that they can make believe anything they want. Again, the picture are gorgeous.

Anyway, I could go on and on. Books are so important to children and adults. The more I think about this, the harder it is to pick a favorite!