The 7 Best Books to Share with your Children: Happy World Book Day!

Hip Hip Hooray! It’s World Book Day!

The Teacher in me is celebrating wildly.  There is nothing I love more than a great book.

What makes a great book even better- sharing it with someone else.

At our house we read to our children daily.  We start when they are a couple weeks old.

We build it into our daily routine and do it even when we are exhausted, our house is a mess, we feel like we will go insane from reading the same book over and over and over and over, and when we have a million other things to do.

Why do we do it?

Because we believe it is one of the most important gifts we can give our children.

It’s not just about the language development that happens, or the imagination that blooms.

It’s not just the conversations and expressive language skills that evolve.

It’s the simple act of bonding that means the most.  Showing your children that you value reading.  Modeling a love for reading- for expanding and growing your mind.  Showing your children that you value spending time with them.

It’s a time to cuddle, be silly, make voices, share a laugh, make sounds, ask them questions and connect.

Research states that 75 percent of brain development happens before the age of 3.

Children who are read to often and regularly fare better in school, have better language development and often grow to love reading.

So- in celebration of a very special day- I am going to share the Top 7 Books to Share with your Children.

Now being a grade school teacher- this has happened to turn into a very difficult assignment that I have given myself.

I have read hundreds of books to kids- and although they all would have very different opinions about which books are the best- the list below reflects MY favourites, the tried, tested and true crowd pleasers I have found over the years.  They are the books that always get my kiddos attention- and hold onto it from the first line- to the last period.

Here they are:

7. If  You Give a Mouse a Cookie: Laura Numeroff

This was my Mother’s favourite book to read me when I was little- which is likely why it is one of my favourites to read and share.  It is a circle story that is short, sweet and humorous.

6. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing: Judy Blume

I have been teaching Grade 4 for the last 5 years.  Every year I start out with this book- because the kids LOVE it.  It’s the story of Peter Hatcher- a slightly awkward and very serious 4th Grader who has a little brother named “Fudge” who turns his world upside down and is always getting into all kinds of shenanigans.  The story is told from Peter’s perspective- and any 4th grade student with a sibling can relate.  I have yet to meet a child who can keep a straight face when I read any page that includes Fudge.

5.  Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak

This award winner about “the night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind or another” is  imaginative, simple and captivating.  The wild rumpus, the bedroom that transforms, sailing away on his boat bed.  Maurice Sendak has said ” Children live in a world of reality and fantasy- they move back and forth very easily in a way that we no longer remember how to”.  This is why this book works so magically with children.

4. The Giving Tree: Shel Silverstein

This is a story of selfless, unconditional love.  A tree gives and gives and gives and a boy who loves the tree back deeply.  The more the tree gives, the more happy the tree is.  I tear up every time.  The illustrations accompany the text beautifully and it often leads to great discussions about unconditional love, people’s gifts, helping and serving others, sacrifice…..just beautiful.

3. Tough Boris: Mem Fox

This is a short story I was read when I was in University.  It is a repetitive story that encourages children to join in and share.  Tough Boris is a tough pirate who is very pirate-y in all kinds of ways.  But when his parrot passes away- Boris cries.  Because even tough pirates cry….it’s a story about feelings, being real, acceptance and compassion.

2. Anything: Robert Munsch

I LOVE me some good Robert Munsch.  Who doesn’t!?  I’m ecstatic because Zoey has just started to pick these out at the library on her own. Rediscovering classics like Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, The Muddle Puddle and David’s Father make me giddy.  His collection is amazing.  Each book is well received by children of all ages.  I have read these stories to even the smelliest of junior high classes, and without fail they are chiming in and laughing.

Many people would claim ‘Love you Forever” is his best work.  I know I tear up when he pens ‘I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for Always, as long as your living- my baby you’ll be”.  Gets me every time.

However, my personal favourite- and the ultimate crowd-pleaser I have found so far is “Mortimer”.  There is nothing kids love more than hearing about a naughty little boy driving his family crazy at bedtime…..Even Zoey at 3 gets the giggles and loves yelling “MORTIMER- BE QUIET!”.

1. Charlotte’s Web: E.B White

The story of a little pig named Wilber who becomes famous with the help of a friendly spider.  A true story of loyalty, kindness and friendship.  I read this story every year in my classroom and can’t wait to share it with my own children when they are a little older. It also contains one of the best beginning lines to hook a reader ever: “Where is Papa going with that ax?” said Fern.

Ooooooo- that’s good writing.

If you were to write your own list of the best books to share- what would they be?  Leave me a comment and share your thoughts.  I’d love to hear them!  Happy World Book Day!  Read today! With someone- on your own- with a friend- simply for the pleasure and enjoyment of reading.

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