Start 'Em Early

"When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity

in a way that no other reading in your life does..."
 -- Nora Ephron

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If you've ever watched You've Got Mail, you know that quote. It was spoken by the character Kathleen Kelly, the owner of an adorable children's bookstore, and is one of my favorite lines in the entire movie.

I agree with Ms. Ephron with every fiber of my being. As a kid, I read hundreds of thousands of books. My mom called me her little bookworm and I have no idea where most of the books on my little shelf came from. Some were gifts, some came from friends, and some came from thrift stores or garage sales. Somehow, I was always soaking up a new book. I was the kid who hid a flashlight & book under her pillow and suffered a lack of oxygen underneath the covers just so I could find out "what happened next" after I was told to turn out the lights. I am so thankful to my parents for giving me all those pages and encouraging me to read as much as they did! I believe I am a better person because of it.

As a big advocate for inspiring, wholesome children's books, I thought it might be fun to pick out a few of my favorites. So here you go!

These are some of my favorite children's books

that should be found in every little one's library:

Rainbow Fish! How can you NOT love Rainbow Fish?? This is such a great lesson about sharing and putting others above yourself. Fantastic storyline. The paintings and shiny, opal-colored pieces of paper definitely help attract the less-interested child as well. That's always a plus!

Full of energy and comedy, this book will spellbound any child. It starts with giving a mouse a cookie and by the end of it, you'll have to give that mouse a bazillion other things! Adorable and hilarious.

So endearing. My mom used to tear up when she read it to us. This is better for older kids who have been reading for a little while, but if your kid can catch on to repetitive lines, it'll be a good one. It's a good reminder for parents too.

 

And last but most certainly not least, one of my favorite children's authors. Shel Silverstein writes some amazing things for the kids. He also has a number of volumes with comical poems in them, and I highly recommend those as well!  This book happens to be one of my very favorites. It's another lesson in sharing and giving of yourself for others. I've only read it a couple hundred times and every time is as good as the last. The title explains it all. A tree loves a boy and gives everything it can to make the boy happy. Fabulous.

Happy reading!