Classic (or Fun) Children's Books

[scottishduffy]

Alright, I have a now 15 month old nephew and a 2 yr old neice.

I have decided that from now on, for every gift giving occassion I would like to give them each a couple books with whatever other gift I give them. I am just looking for classic and/or really beautifully illustrated, fun books. I of course can remember some books I used to love but can't think of a good list. I am looking for books for the 6 yrs and under set. Once they are over that age and can read, I can think of plenty of series! However, I am a bit stumped on classic bedtime and beginning reading books.

For their birthdays I got both of them Puff the Magic Dragon (came with a CD with the song, this song had meant alot to SIL). I also got DNephew a fun super well drawn book called "I need my Monster", I got DNeice "Where the Wild Things Are".

So what are you kiddo's favorite bedtime stories? What books are great for preschool and beginning reader set?

ETA: Great, mispelled title.... how do I fix that?

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Good Night Moon

 

[NY Disney fan]

We go to the library every Tuesday and Saturday but these are the ones she likes (she's 3):

- Courderoy (the bear)

- Curious George books

- Spot (the dog) series

- If you Give a mouse a cookie series by Laura Numeroff

She also LOVES to be scared so if I find a Halloween book for her it makes her day.

 

[crispychicky]

My DD is 20months. For bedtime, we rotate between Goodnight Moon and Goodnight Gorilla. In general, she loves any of the lift-a-flap books or the texture/touchy-feely ones. Any of Sandra Boynton's books are great for that age as are the Olivia series. You could also try Caldecott Award winners or Newbery Award winners (maybe for when they're a little older).

I'm curious to see what other people recommend. We're always on the look out for good books!

 

[live4christp1]

My kids liked the Dr. Seuss books and also the Little Golden Books (like The Pokey Little Puppy).

They also had (we still do have) several of large hard back books that are collections of stories like Winnie The Pooh and Dick & Jane.

We love books!!!!

A friend had a neat idea for a baby shower she was hosting and I thought well that's a great idea that could be used for birthdays, etc as well. She asked that instead of guests bringing a card with their gift (cards usually are read and discarded) that they bring a child's book and they could write a little message inside the cover, as to who it was from, well wishes, etc.

 

[Traveliz]

Absolutely the best book ever:

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Where the Wild Things Are

Alexander and the Terrible Horrible no Good Day

The Little Engine that Could

The Monster at the End of this Book

of course the Dr Seuss are good

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Liz

 

[turkeymama]

First of all let me say Kudos to you for giving books as gifts. I politely requested the same thing for my kids when they were born and we now have a nice library of books for them to choose from.

Maybe not fully appreciated by toddlers, but Dr. Seuss is an all-time favorite for most kids. Fox in Socks is my personal favorite. There are some of the Dr. Seuss books that are more for beginners.

Any of Shel Silverstein's books are also fun, starting at around age 3 or 4. The Giving Tree is wonderful and is a really good story for kids of any age.

Stella Luna
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
No David!
Strega Nona
Owl Moon
Where The Wild Things Are

These are just a few that stick out in my mind. Also, see if you can find a book with kid-friendly Native American folktales. There are several out there. My kids have always loved those.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When my kids were little I signed up for the "Dr. Seuss and Friends" book club. Still have them. I love books. I have 2 full bookcases with children's books.

I wonder if I can get "Hooper Humperdink" still...My oldest dd wore that book out.

 

[cappygirl]

I'm a big fan of Harold and the Purple Crayon!

 

[live4christp1]

Thought of two that were all time favorites:

DD loved Annie Ashcraft Looks into the Dark - she kept this at my moms and had her read it several times a day.

DS loved Storm is Coming - about a farmer and what the animals thought when he said "storm is coming".

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

My kids liked the Dr. Seuss books and also the Little Golden Books (like The Pokey Little Puppy).

They also had (we still do have) several of large hard back books that are collections of stories like Winnie The Pooh and Dick & Jane.

We love books!!!!

A friend had a neat idea for a baby shower she was hosting and I thought well that's a great idea that could be used for birthdays, etc as well. She asked that instead of guests bringing a card with their gift (cards usually are read and discarded) that they bring a child's book and they could write a little message inside the cover, as to who it was from, well wishes, etc.

I forgot the Golden Books....I loved the Pokey Little Puppy (I was a dog lover from a very, very early age.)

 

[Disneyland Princess]

The Bernstein Bears and Little Critter books were my favorites when I was little.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

Absolutely anything by Eric Carle. His books are amazing and the illustrations are beautiful! My DD has EVERY single one of his books and even at 9 almost 10, she still talks about them and pulls them out to read to cousins! You just can’t go wrong with Eric Carle!

 

[live4christp1]

I forgot the Golden Books....I loved the Pokey Little Puppy (I was a dog lover from a very, very early age.)

Hey, I still have some of mine from my childhood that say $0.59. They would have racks of them in the grocery store and that was my treat on grocery day.....I got to pick out a new book. (Pokey Little Puppy was my favorite too.)

 

[nmmom95]

How about "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late" or any of the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems? My favorites are "There is a Bird on Your Head" and "Today I Will Fly." My DS, now 6, always loved these.

 

[babytrees]

My girls have always loved books by Munsch (mmm! Cookies, I'll Love You Forever)

a fun book that Cassidy (17) was just rereading this week was "Double Trouble in Walla Walla".

My favorite section of books has always been the children's section I love reading them and still to this day pick some books up (I used to be a preschool teacher). With so many books being published each year there are some overlooked beautiful books.

My girls never got into the Jan Brett books but others have loved them.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I second Harold and the Purple Crayon, and the If you Give a Mouse... series. Also, since you asked specifically about illustrations, favorites of DS's were -

The Golden Egg (pictures by Maggie Keen)
Owl Babies (Martin Waddell, ill. by Patrick Benson)
Sleep Tight, Ginger Kitten (Adele Geras, Catherine Walters)
Dragons (ill. by Peter Scott) - and I know this has a companion, Unicorns, if you want one for each child.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Ds's favorite right now (and has been for months) is Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel. My aunt always sends him books and it's wonderful. She sent this one in the board book version, which she first thought might be 'babyish' but for 3-4 year old this book is the absolute perfect size and no pages to accidentally rip when being boisterous in turning the pages! Ds can practically recite the entire thing now, he finishes every sentence I start, that's how often we read it!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0...efix=mike+mulligan+and+his+steam+shovel+board

 

[Sorsha]

OK, my kids absolute favorite - but its out of print and hard to find - Ebay maybe? Miss Jaster's Garden

Anything by Richard Scarry, especially Cars and Trucks and Things that Go

Make Way for Ducklings or Lentil or anything by Robert McCloskey

Any of the Frances series

Emmett's Pig also out of print, but readily available

Humbug Rabbit , a springtime/Easter story with gorgeous illustrations

Mike Mulligan and more - a collection including Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, The Little House, and more

Any of the Babar stories! This is a nice collection.

The Bartholomew Cubbins stories; Bartholomew and the Oobleck, and The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Blueberries for Sal, or One Morning in Maine, more McCloskey classics.

Chester the Worldly Pig

 

[LBAK]

These are the books that are requested over and over again by my preschool class:

Llama Llama Red Pajama
Chica Chica Boom Boom
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Any Mrs. Macnosh Book (Mrs Macnosh Hangs up the Wash)
Any Froggy Book (Froggy Goes to School, Froggy Bakes a Cake, etc.)
Farm Flu
The Rainbow Fish
Ann Clifford Book
Are You My Mother?