Sep
21
What childrens books do you recommend?
By
Kimmy questioned:
I’m trying to start something new with my children and maybe you can help.
I’m trying to start something new with my children and maybe you can help.
I’m wanting to start reading chapter books with them my children, their ages are 3 and 4 (5 in march) What kind of chapter books do you recommend. I’m wanting to find stuffed toys that go along with the book also.
The Tale of Despereuax, has the book and the stuffed toy to go with it. What else can you recommend?
We, as a family, have been reading since they were newborns. We’ve read all of Dr.Seuss, to be honest, they seem really bored with what we have. I don’t feel like what we do have is expanding their imaginations. IF it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We’ll try again another time.
GeniusMaker
I don’t know any with toys that go with them but I do know that the Magic tree house series is excellent and the Junie B Jones series is excellent too.
I’m not sure chapter books are quite developmentally appropriate for your kids yet. Children of that age cannot always hold onto a tale line chapter after chapter, and prefer shorter, simple storylines with pictures on every page. I’ve found that around the middle of Kindergarten (when most of them are already or close to turning 6), my students start really enjoying a chapter or two from Junie B. Jones at the end of the day, but any earlier than that, it’s hard to keep them interested. Of course, I’m dealing with 25 vs. 2, but that’s just my take.
When I was 5 my Dad bought me the Small House books. I loved them to bits. They were worn and ragged by the time I was 8. They are excellent because your kids can grow with them too.
From what I remember Sarah Plain and Tall is a small simple read.
Ooh! That’s a fantastic thought. The first books I ever read my children were “The Cronicles of Narnia” which I read when they were newborns I am considering reading it again to my 3 year ancient during his brother’s nap times.
Other Fantastic ones:
ROVERANDOM by J.R.R. Tolkien – this is possibly the BEST small chidlren’s book ever written. Tolkien made it up with his son as a bed-time tale and it evolved into the chapter book it is today. If you can find the copy with the full color illustrations, your preschoolers will like it so much! Even without them, it is wonderful.
The Wind and the Willows – Kenneth Grahame – I like the illustrations in this book. A classic that has motor cars and animals, what more do preschoolers want?
The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster – Okay, maybe just me – but a clock dog, the Island of Conclusions, etc. It’s a fantastic book to get them thinking about concepts that might otherwise elude this age group.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – Robert C. O’Brien – I like the movie). This book is not half as scary as the movie depicts it – wonderful for small children.
This is a fantastic thought, and I hope others come up with equally exciting chapter books for your young ones to delight in!
Okay – I’m adding a couple (and authors to all of them, opps!)
Anything by Roald Dahl – I especially like “James and the Giant Peach” “Matilda” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” “The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me”
The Cricket in Time Square by George Selden
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald – this one is a small on the scary side, but MacDonald has been a favorite of mine since I was small.
The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit by Joel Chandler Harris
I’m a huge fan of Dr. Seuss. He inspires imagination, creativity, and always has a fantastic message. The ABC book is fantastic. My favorite is The Lorax. It’s message is always relevant with the increasing pollution and carelessness. You might have to wait a couple years for your small one to know but it’s never too early to start caring for mother earth. Check out seussville.com for fantastic thoughts.
in the night garden is well loved with young children.
billy goats gruff
going on a bear hunt
the jolly postman.
the children i read to seem to like these tales!