I thought I’d offer a few of my all-time favorite children’s books for parents, grandparents, favorite aunts and uncles, and teachers to read aloud to children from ages 4 through 14, with a word or two about each book. I hope you blog readers out there will respond with some of your favorites . . . sort of an online book review swap. Should be fun!
For this blog entry, I’ll start randomly with two of my all-time favorites. Then, in regular weekly entries, I’ll talk about my favorite books for a couple of ages at a time, chronologically.
Time to Travel
I got inspired to send along these recommendations because I’m now reading my most favorite children’s book of all time to my nine-year-old grandson Isaiah–a book I’ve read aloud as a teacher to several 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes over the past 30 years. It’s one of those books that children (and the adults reading to them) never want to end. Fortunately, it’s part of a beloved quintet of books. I speak of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. It’s a timeless tale of good and evil, of time travel, of children’s ordinary daily lives and their extraordinary imaginations.
Madeleine L’Engle, who passed away last year at the age of 89, authored more than 60 books for children and adults. Her books for children are incredible buried treasures for 9- through 14-year-olds. I am amazed, reading A Wrinkle in Time for the first time in a decade, how its messages tesser (time travel, for you newbies) through the ages. (The 2007 paperback edition, published by Square Fish, begins with an appreciation essay by Anna Quindlen.)
Oh My Goodness–What Fine Rhymes!
Clyde Watson wrote and her sister Wendy Watson illustrated Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes, one of our family’s all-time favorite books of original poems. All of our generations learn one of these poems by heart:
Oh my goodness, oh my dear,
Sassafras & ginger beer,
Chocolate cake & apple punch:
I’m too full to eat my lunch.
From ages 4 through 14 and 40 through 80, everyone at home or in class will love the words and the colorful, fun-filled illustrations. The book is now out of print, but you can still find copies (new and used) on Amazon. Or perhaps you can find an even less expensive copy at one of the other websites that sell out-of-print books, such as Alibris or Half.com. You can also find copies–for a pretty penny, though ($60 to $65 in hardcover) at the author’s website. But you won’t be sorry if you add this gem to your best of the best shelf or at least borrow it from your local library for the upcoming holidays.
Now it’s your turn to share one or two of your all-time favorites with our blog-ship. Happy posting!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Want to ask Chip a question or share your own ideas on this topic?
–If you’re reading this entry from your email, click ”Yardsticks” on the top left, just below the orange “feed blitz” button, to go to the blog site. Then click “Comments” below the entry.
–If you’re reading this entry on the blog site, click “Comments” below the entry.
Ask Chip a question or share your own thoughts!
—If you’re reading this entry on the blog site,
click “Post a Comment” or the word “Comments” below the entry
—If you’re reading this entry from your email,
click “Yardsticks” to go to the blog site.
Then click “Post a Comment” or the word “Comments”
below the entry.
Categories: 
Tags: 
Whitney – Thanks for the terrific offerings for your young ones at home and your fourth grsders at school!Your class sounds so alive with excitement for reading and writing and learning!Chip
Oh my goodness, oh my dear…our family’s copy of Father Fox is a treasure…and I remember Mom reading it to Em & I before bed. As a mom, Mem Fox books make frequent appearances (especially “Time for Bed” and “Koala Lou”). Virginia Lee Burton’s books are pretty priceless, too – my boys are both enamoured with Mike Mulligan and His Steamshovel, MaryAnne (and I love that the steamshovel is a girl!). Richard Scarry is a true favorite of Benny’s (four and a half, don’t forget the half), and he likes to show his little brother the way through the stories. On a fairly recent trip to the public library, we discovered the treasure that is “Axel Annie”, and it was so great, we’re planning to have it be under our tree on Christmas!! (A sure cure for pouting in our house is to say, “Hey – is that Shifty Roads, of the Grouch and Grump Club?”, referencing a character in the book).
As a teacher of a great group of fourth graders (ranging in age from young nines to old elevens), we’ve just finished an author study of Tomie dePaola and reading groups have read from his “26 Fairmount Avenue” series (short chapter books that are memoir in nature). We’ve just set off on exploring Roald Dahl’s world, and right now my classroom is filled with a magic finger, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, and an Enormous Crocodile. I’m reading aloud “The Twits” (by Dahl) and the kids delight in the vile descriptions of Mr. and Mrs. Twit. The snickers, squeals, and giggles that eminate while I’m reading remind me how much I care for my class and why I teach.
I could go on and on, as I am forever showing fiercely independent fourth graders that there’s nothing like a quality picture book to help us learn about author’s style and where we want to go with our writing.
Hi, Elizabeth—well, Remember, these are Father Fox’s PENNY Rhymes and the babies are asking for more rhymes (I would tell my little ones)not for more food and the Mama has spent all her pennies in her old tin cup on Father Fox’s Rhymes … she can’t buy any more. Boo Hoo…Let’s see if there any more rhymes on the next page.. Oh! Look..See Saw, Jump-in-the-Straw …you’re right, this is mostly delightful nonsense…no political insight here..but a child bothered by empty bowls should be told, yes, sometimes there are families without money for food, that’s why we share when we can. Chip
Hi, Chip. I just got a copy of Father Fox’s Pennyrhymes from the library. It really is a wonderful book! The rhymes are fresh, fun, and so inventive. And the whimsical illustrations add to the joy. I love the great crowd of happy,toothy fox children–especially the baby, of whom Mama and Papa Fox take such loving care. I found myself poring over the carefully rendered details in each illustration and looking for the names slyly tucked in here and there.
The only thing that bothered me was the rhyme about the mama whose cup was empty. She’s looking morunfully out the window as her anxious-looking children, holding their little spoons and bowls, tug at her skirts. I searched the drawing in vain for hints of something that the mama could turn into a meal. Curious to know how you’d respond if a child to whom you were reading the book felt dismayed by that rhyme and illustration.
One of my all-time favorite children’s books is Abel’s Island by William Steig, who created Shrek. It’s about a young gentleman mouse who’s swept away by a river when he wades in to retrieve the scarf of his beloved wife, Amanda. Stranded on an island, Abel shows pluck and persistence as he tries plan after plan to get himself home.
The publisher’s notes say the book is for age 8 and up–I’d say WAY up. It’s one of those wonderful books that has much to offer adults as well as children: a combination adventure tale, tender love story, journey of self-discovery, and reassuring fable showing what you can accomplish with courage, persistence, and a firm hold on your dreams.
There are so many it’s hard to narrow it down. I love Roald Dahl, especially The BFG. So clever. I also love Mem Fox, Jack Prelutzky. The actress Jamie Lee Curtis has written some marvelous picture books, one called “I’m Gonna Like Me” that is especially good.
I honestly love the somewhat mediocre books that are series, because there’s nothing sweeter than a kid who gets obsessed with reading more and more. Time Warp Trio, Series of Unfortunate Events, and the Peter and the Starcatchers series (not mediocre — very good actually!) have been favorites for my kids.
Great to have some book posts! Despereaux has been beloved by 5th and 6th graders in my schools for independent reading and read-alouds alike. It’s great to hear even younger readers find much to ponder about courage in this exciting tale.Chip
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo is my ultimate favorite read-aloud to my second graders. The author draws the reader in and my students do not want me to stop reading! The little mouse has to be brave in the face of danger and the story gives courage to my students who face some tough things in their life.
One of my new favorite children’s books is by author Mo Willems… Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct. It is a wonderful book that allows for a rich discussion of feeling ignored/jealous/left out and how to deal with that feeling. I originally bought it for my son when he was in 3rd grade and dealing with feeling left out by the popular kids (yes, I said third grade…) I’ve since donated it to my classroom library and this year read it to my first graders. The mix of wit (the main character’s name is Reginald von Hoobie Doobie… how you can not giggle when saying that name?) and the very real problem Reginald faces is a perfect way to broach the subject of being empowered and taking responsibility for your feelings.
I have many more, but this one just came to mind!