Lucky Me: Books to Read and Reread to Your Kids

You must do something to make the world more beautiful. ~ Miss Rumphius
You must do something to make the world more beautiful. ~ Miss Rumphius
You must do something to make the world more beautiful. ~ Miss Rumphius

I recently came across a Family Circle comic in which the little boy is holding up a book to his dad and asks: "How would you like to be the lucky person who gets to read to me?" Immediately I thought of all the times I enjoyed reading a good book to my kids and I thought, Yes, I am the lucky one! I have so many precious memories of being curled up on the couch or in bed reading picture books to my kids. And with those memories I recall the books that, without fail, we read over and over and over again. 
Here are a few of those titles we never got tired of:

Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman
This is the story of a family with seven children who are all picky eaters and only eat their particular favorite food -- until one night when the children decide to bake a surprise birthday cake consisting of each of their favorite foods. Not only is the story great but the illustrations are a big part of what make this book one that you will want to read over and over again.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
The Little House is such a classic I'm sure it needs no introduction. This winner of the 1943 Caldecott Medal for memorable children's book has stood the test of time. Any of Virginia lee Burton's books are worth reading over and over again, but I if I had to pick just one, The Little House is it.

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
I Love You, Stinky Face is the perfect bedtime story! A little boy tests the unconditional love of his mother with question after question of, "But momma, but momma, would you love me if....?" Great illustrations, too!

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
This is the story of Alice Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went in order to make the world a more beautiful place. Heartwarming and thought provoking. What can we do to make the world around us more beautiful?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Rainbow fish learns a valuable lesson about sharing and being kind when he refuses to share his beautiful scales with his other, more plain, fish friends.

I asked each of my kids (now ages 18 and 20) what book was their favorite book for me to read to them over and over again (thinking maybe I didn't remember their favorites but only my own) and to my surprise they each gave a title already here on my list.  My daughter's favorite is The Seven Silly Eaters and my son's favorite is I Love You, Stinky Face. For an 18- and 20-yea-old to still remember these books means they truly are stories that will stand the test of time to be read and reread. And hopefully in the future I will pull out my old treasured copies and be the lucky one who gets to read them to my grandchildren.

What books are you "lucky" to read over and over again?

 

 

Comments

I loved reading Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood to all of my children, ages 12, 9 and 7 when they were young. I read it every day, sometimes many times a day. Now I read it to my much younger nieces and nephews. Each page allows you to animate your voice and use actions, which really engages your audience and make the story memorable. I know my children have fond memories of listening to Quick as a Cricket. They still like me to read it to them!