101 good books children will love.

Experts agree that there are many benefits to reading to children. One important one: It
takes time to read a book. What better gift can we give a child than time
We!ve made many mistakes raising o"r children # on a family vacation several years ago
we left two of them behind in a $i%%a &"t in 'inoc("a) Wisconsin) a fact that is still the
s"b*ect of many a g"ilt trip. +"t I know we!ve done one thing right. We read to them.
,oodnight 'oon) -he ."%%y /"ckling # the list of books we read wo"ld be familiar to
many yo"ng parents0 so wo"ld o"r motives for reading: We love books) and we wanted to
share this love with o"r children. We en*oyed the ("iet time a book provided) and) at
day!s end) we liked the rit"al of bath) books) prayers) and bed for them # followed by
some time alone for "s.
1ds by ,oogle love Read ing books
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1s time passed and o"r son and da"ghters grew and changed) o"r reasons for reading to
them did the same. We still en*oyed the ("iet time) b"t something else was added. -he
books we read often enhanced -om!s or 'aggie!s pleas"re in the things he or she had
seen that day. 9ometimes the very titles 1nnie or <ate wo"ld choose wo"ld give "s) as
parents) a cl"e to something that had been important to them that day. 'artha and 'olly)
as did their older siblings before them) wo"ld often find) in books) a certain comfort to
soothe a worry or h"rt that had been part of their day.
'"ch has been written abo"t the val"e of books. @eading books and being read to at an
early age develops literacy) enhances vocab"lary and grammar skills) instr"cts the reader
abo"t the world close at hand and far away) and enco"rages creativity and imagination.
+eing read to establishes a never#to#be#forgotten sense of sec"rity in providing a rit"al) a
period of time d"ring which a child and reader sit together and attend to a story.
1s I look back over the years of reading) being read to) and reading to) I remember many
of the books that are part of me as a res"lt of these experiences. It gives me pleas"re to
think of the many books that are also part of o"r children!s histories.
'ost of "s read to o"r children for the sheer f"n of it. It gives "s pleas"re to pass on to
o"r children the stories we loved when we were their age. We en*oy discovering with
them stories that are new to "s and them. Often) too) a story can say for "s the things we
feel inade("ate to express in o"r own words. Even those who are not big readers
themselves choose to read to their children beca"se ed"cators stress the benefits of
reading) partic"larly early reading) to children. -here are also s"btle reasons to read to
o"r children) and these are perhaps the most important of all.
When we read) we have to slow down. We gather o"r child or children to o"rselves) and
we spend time with them. We give) they receive. 9ometimes they give as they make their
own observations abo"t the story being read. We establish a rit"al) and rit"als provide
sec"rity. We establish a tradition) and this leads to another important reason to read to o"r
children.
$arents pass a c"lt"re to their children. 1s parents we do this whether we want to or not.
What we choose to do) or not to do) conveys a message to o"r children. When we read to
o"r children) we teach them that they are important to "s. +ooks are a relatively
inexpensive treat) and p"blic libraries provide them for free. +"t we do spend time when
we read. It takes time to sit down to read a book. What better gift can we give o"r child
than the gift of time
+eca"se books teach as they are en*oyed) they provide a near perfect way to say what is
important to "s. 2hildren might soon lose interest in a lect"re abo"t the importance of
honesty or kindness) yet they will spend ho"rs listening to stories.
@eading provides an oasis in a world too b"sy and too active at times to stop and take
note of what really matters. -his) too) is why it contin"es to be of val"e to read to o"r
children long after they have learned to read themselves. -wo years ago when one
da"ghter in o"r ho"se was making her way thro"gh @ay +radb"ry!s .ahrenheit :A1) I
read the book to her. 1s an honors English st"dent) she was more than capable of reading
the book herself) b"t we en*oyed moving thro"gh it together and talking abo"t the ideas. I
hope that experience remains for her as pleasant as it does for me. 1nd I am s"re there are
older parents who contin"e) as mine do when we talk on the phone or visit) to say) BWhat
are yo" readingB or B&ave yo" read ...B While we can no longer c"rl "p on the
co"ch together) we can still share o"r love of books and the ideas they hold.
$erhaps the best reason for reading to children is the reason that motivates o"r own
reading as well: We read beca"se it is good for the so"l. 2hristians often feel at odds with
the world. @eading can remind "s that we are not alone in thinking certain val"es are
important. -hey can p"t "s in the presence of families who are working to be good
people. +ooks can remind "s that it is important to be kind) accepting) and to stand "p for
what is right.
.eel free to browse
What follows is a look at books for children. -hey have been chosen precisely beca"se
they are not religio"s or B2hristianB in a formal sense. +ooks are s"btle. -hey can teach
witho"t preaching. -he titles have been chosen in a less#than#scientific manner. I began
and ended my research at my children!s bookshelves. I also spent time in the *"venile
sections of 9t"art +rent and Waterstone!s bookstores in 2hicago) and I spoke with lovers
of books # ad"lt friends of mine and the high#school st"dents I teach.
One thing to bear in mind: I hold a pre*"dice so deeply seated that it feels like a "niversal
tr"th that books and television are m"t"ally excl"sive. $eriod. 1 family that tr"ly en*oys
books will keep television viewing to s"ch a minim"m that it will be virt"ally
nonexistent. It!s diffic"lt to maintain the attention of a toddler who has been raised on a
diet of images that change every few seconds. It is virt"ally impossible to expect a child
of early school age to settle in with a book and adapt to the challenge of following the
words if that child has grown acc"stomed to receiving his or her entertainment in a
passive manner. -"rn off the television.
1 second point. 2hildren!s books come with a recommended reading level. While this
idea is well intentioned) it can be a mistake. 1"thor @obertson /avies said it best in his
speech B-he 2onscience of a Writer.B B-here are)B /avies says) Bno absol"tes in literat"re
that can be applied witho"t reference to personal taste and *"dgment. -he great book for
yo" is the book that has the most to say to yo" at the moment when yo" are reading. I do
not mean the book that is the most instr"ctive) b"t the book that feeds yo"r spirit. 1nd
that depends on yo"r age) yo"r experience) yo"r psychological and spirit"al need.B
-aking this into acco"nt) then) the books that follow have been loosely gro"ped into even
looser categories) and these categories overlap. +ooks have been listed from yo"nger to
older readers) starting with books that are often read alo"d to children) contin"ing to the
*"nior#high#school level) after which point we can ass"me that the child is making almost
all reading choices fairly a"tonomo"sly.
8isten) my children
It is possible to read to a very small child. 2hildren old eno"gh to sit in a lap can look at
pict"res as the pages of a book are t"rned for them. -his establishes a rit"al and teaches
the skill of sitting while looking at brightly colored pict"res. While the littlest readers
may not "nderstand the act"al words themselves) the rit"al of words and their rhythm is a
wonderf"l introd"ction to reading. 8ittle children love the idea of rit"al. E("ally
important to them is sec"rity.
2hildren also have an early aesthetic sense and can en*oy the feel) text"re) and color of a
book at a very yo"ng age. 1nyone who has observed a baby playing endlessly with his or
her fingers and toes knows that this person has a developing capacity for en*oying
intellect"al stim"lation. -he following books are colorf"l) pleasant to look at) repetitive in
tone) and provide a chance to look at the world inside and o"t of the ho"se.
,oodnight 'oon by 'argaret Wise +rown: 1 little b"nny says goodnight to the familiar
ob*ects in his room. $at the +"nny) a tactile BlookB at the child!s world by /orothy
<"nhardt. Each $each) $ear) $l"m by 6anet and 1llan 1hlberg) with its charming
ill"strations and rhymes) invites a baby to play a game of BI 9py.B 1re 3o" 'y 'other
by $hilip /. Eastman and 1 &o"se Is a &o"se for 'e by 'ary 1nn &oberman: repetition
promotes a sense of sec"rity. $eter!s 2hair Cwhich also deals with the arrival of a new
babyD) -he 9nowy /ay) and almost any book by E%ra 6ack <eats "se colorf"l yet gentle
ill"strations that p"t a child in a world of people doing pleasant things together and on
their own. -he +aby by 6ohn +"rningham and ,randmother and I by &elen E. +"ckley
give a look at family members yo"ng and old.
8ittle children delight in the many creat"res ,od has given "s. 'y 8ittle &en by 1lice
$rovensen) +aby .arm 1nimals by ,arth Williams) -he 4ery &"ngry 2aterpillar by Eric
2arle) 7oah!s 1rk by $eter 9pier) -he 8ittle $"ppy Cand other animal titles) s"ch as goat)
lamb) and so onD by 6"dy and $hoebe /"nn0 +aby 1nimal +ook by /aphne /avis # all
provide a lovely look at the wonder of creation.
.inally) the following classics need little description. -heir longevity is testimony eno"gh
to the fact that they answer a need in the children to whom they are read: 9c"ffy the
-"gboat by ,ertr"de 2rampton C9c"ffy is also brave and reso"rcef"lD) -awny) 9crawny
8ion by <athryn 6ackson and 9aggy) +aggy Elephant) $oky 8ittle $"ppy by 6anet 9.
8owrey) -he 8ittle Engine -hat 2o"ld by Watty $iper CBI think I can) I think I can...BD)
2arrot 9eed by @"th <ra"ss) and &arold and the $"rple 2rayon by 2rockett 6ohnson.
-he @"naway +"nny by 'argaret Wise +rown sho"ld be in a category all by itself
beca"se this one does it all. 1 little b"nny asks what his mother wo"ld do were he to r"n
away. With bea"tif"l words and even more bea"tif"l ill"strations) she convinces him that
there is no place on earth he co"ld go that she wo"ld not be there to protect him. 1n all
time favorite. +rown has also given "s the "ltrasatisfying &ome for a +"nny. 1nother
type of book that can be incl"ded in a selection of books for babies is any 'other
,oose book. 2hildren love the sec"rity of repetition and the h"mor inherent in these
rhymes. -hese books act as a child!s first introd"ction to poetry. 2hoose yo"r own
favorites # two from this ho"se are 2lassic 'other ,oose and an edition ill"strated by
-omie de $aola.
4ery first reading experiences will incl"de titles that will change depending on the child
being read to. $arents are advised not to disco"nt books that have some story line. 'any
times the pleas"re of the rhythm of the words means as m"ch to a child as wo"ld
knowing their literal meaning. +ooks witho"t words can be en*oyed by a child who
en*oys time alone with books. -he following books provide a way for a child to BreadB on
his or her own) b"t can be en*oyed with an ad"lt as well: +abies by ,yo ."*ikawa) -he
9nowman by @aymond +riggs) 9easons by 6ohn +"rningham) 1h#2hoo by 'ercer
'ayer Cand also by 'ayer) .o"r .rogs in a +ox and 1 +oy) a /og) a .rog) and a .riendD)
/eep in the .orest by +rinton -"rkle Ca twist on the story of the three bearsD) +lackboard
+ear by 'artha 1lexander) and moonlight by 6an Ormerod) a delightf"l look at a family
p"tting a rel"ctant child to bed.
@elative ad*"stments
-he following books present yo"ng children with loving and sometimes imperfect
families. In ,o and &"sh the +aby by +etsy +yars) Will h"shes the baby with a cookie
and a story among other things) before the baby finally falls asleep. 6eremy Isn!t &"ngry
by +arbara Wilhams shows how a big brother BhelpsB his harried mother by looking after
baby brother 6eremy. 1 +irthday for .rances and +edtime for .rances by @"ssell &oban #
time spent in the company of this very h"man little#girl badger is time well spent and
never to be forgotten. In these two favorites) .rances prepares for her sister!s birthday and
for bed respectively. +ig +rother by 2harlotte Eolotow is dependably satisfying) as are all
Eolotow!s books. 1nd 'y 'ean Old 'other Will +e 9orry) +lackboard +ear by 'artha
1lexander and 9omeday) 9aid 'itchell by +arbara Williams give "s children who are
angry) b"t know they are loved. 'a"rice 9endak5s classic Where the Wild -hings 1re
does the same) and perhaps the paradigm of this type is Wilham 9teig!s 9pinky 9"lks.
When 9pinky gets teased one time too often) he takes to his hammock "ntil his family!s
love is proved to his satisfaction.
$apa 9mall is a classic 8ois 8enski look at a father. 8yle) 8yle 2rocodile by +ernard
Waber contin"es the advent"res of 8yle and his adopted h"man family from -he &o"se
on East Eighty#eighth 9treet and 8yle .inds &is 'other) which re"nites this fetching
crocodile with his biological mother. +everly 2leary!s -wo /og +isc"its gives "s
ordinary children and an ordinary day) and the bea"ty of Owl 'oon by 6ane 3olen lies in
its ability to take "s with an ordinary parent and child as they experience the
extraordinary bea"ty of a perfect night for Bowling.B
9ylvester and the 'agic $ebble by William 9teig gives "s a donkey whose parents are
re"nited with him even tho"gh he has been transformed into a rock) and @osemary Well!s
&a%el!s 1ma%ing 'other gives "s a mother who acts for mothers everywhere when she
swoops down on some nasty little children who are tormenting her beloved &a%el. .inally
.ay and /elores by +arbara 9am"els are two appealingly h"man sisters.
&ey) what abo"t me
1ll children need acceptance. -he following books introd"ce the reader to families and
friends who come to accept someone. $erhaps the classic case of the need for acceptance
can be seen in sibling rivalry. In 1 +aby 9ister for .rances) @"ssell &oban) lets "s watch
.rances as she comes to love baby sister ,loria. 1lexander and the -errible) &orrible) 7o
,ood) 4ery +ad /ay and I!ll .ix 1nthony are two 6"dith 4iorst tales to which any
siblings can relate. I!ll +e the &orse If 3o"!ll $lay With 'e and 7obody 1sked 'e If I
Wanted a +aby 9ister by 'artha 1lexander show older and yo"nger#aged children
respectively as they ad*"st to the problems and pleas"res of living with a sibling. 1nd no
look at sibling rivalry wo"ld be complete witho"t Cmy favoriteD @osemary Well!s 7oisy
7orah. 3o" simply m"st meet 7orah) an absol"tely gorgeo"s little spitfire of a mo"se
who does what it takes to get the familial attention she needs.
Other kinds of acceptance within the family can be seen in $onsettia and &er .amily by
.elicia +ond) wherein a little pig from an overcrowded ho"se comes to see her family is
not so bad to have aro"nd0 /inner at 1lberta!s by @"ssell &oban) with a f"nny family
who accommodate one another) as do family members at William!s &o"se in 2harlotte
Eolotow!s William!s /oll.
8eo the 8ate +loomer by @obert <ra"s and ,regory the -errible Eater by 'itchell
9harmat give "s a lion whose parents love him eno"gh to accept him as he is and a goat
who reaches a compromise with his loving parents. In .ish Is .ish) 8eo 8ionni advises
self#acceptance as a fish learns this important tr"th. -hy .riend Obadiah by +rinton
-"rkle has Obadiah) the charming little 7ant"cket F"aker who rel"ctantly befriends a
"bi("ito"s seag"ll) *"st as 'olly!s friend in <ay 2harao!s 'olly!s 8ies befriends the little
kindergartner and th"s inspires her to stop fibbing. .erdinand by '"nro 8ief is the sweet)
classic story of a gentle b"ll) and Oliver +"tton Is a 9issy by -omie de $aola gives "s
Oliver who) having been teased for taking dance lessons) shows his schoolmates that
those lessons can be impressive.
1cceptance can sometimes take the form of forgiveness. <evin &enkes!
2hrysanthem"m is a sweet little mo"se who loves her name) "ntil classmates make f"n of
it. -hey get their come"ppance) tho"gh) and 2hrysanthem"m is gracio"s abo"t it. 1gain)
'a"rice 9endak!s Where the Wild -hings 1re feat"res 'ax) who) while wearing his wolf
s"it) is sent to bed by his mother) yet it all works o"t in the end. I hope @ichard 9carry!s
book -he 7a"ghty +"nny is still in print. It tells the story of a b"nny who p"ts his mother
thro"gh a harrowing day. Of co"rse she forgives him. 1nd the paradigm for an of "s who
need forgiveness is the beloved 2"rio"s ,eorge.
-ho"gh there are some pallid later versions) the original &. 1. @ey books # 2"rio"s
,eorge @ides a +ike and the first title above # m"st be on every child!s bookshelf. -here
is nothing this advent"resome little monkey will not try) and the man in the yellow hat
forgives him "nconditionally. 3o"!ll also want to make the ac("aintance of Oliver and
1manda pig in 6an 4an 8ee"wen!s Oliver $ig at 9chool. 2hildren can read Else
&olmesk"nd 'inarick!s 8ittle +ear books to themselves or en*oy them with an ad"lt. 7o
.ighting5 7o +iting5 by the same a"thor enco"rages a gentler approach to living.
Wendell) in <evin &enkes! 1 Weekend With Wendell) isn!t easy to love as he teases and
torments his hosts for the weekend) b"t his hostess comes to find him endearing. 3o"
will) too.
'ole and -roll by -ony 6ohnston and .rog and -oad by 1rnold 8obel are great friends)
as are ,eorge and 'artha) a hippopotam"s co"ple from 6ames 'arshall. -omie de
$aola!s +ill and $ete) a crocodile and his little bird friend) are not to be missed0 neither
are 9trega 7ona) de $aola!s little Bgrandma witchB and +ig 1nthony) her helper) who is in
constant need of forgiveness.
1 book that sho"ld be read by every 2hristian) and sho"ld be read repeatedly) is -he
&"ndred /resses by Eleanor Estes. -his children!s classic tells the story of Wanda
$etronski) a poor child whose life is made miserable by two yo"ng classmates. -he
classmates come to reali%e) too late) that they have been "nfair to Wanda.
1nd they all lived happily ...
1s children grow and move a bit away from the protective circle of home and family)
they have a need to feel competent. 2hildren like to be reminded that things "s"ally t"rn
o"t *"st fine in the long r"n. We can teach them that ,od plays a part in this. &ere are
some books that place o"r children in the presence of people) things) and animals who are
making their way s"ccessf"lly thro"gh the world. .rederick is 8eo 8ionni!s little mo"se
who provides for his fellow mice by giving them something they didn!t know they
needed. 9wimmy by the same a"thor tells the story of one tiny black fish) who) "nited
with his fellow fish) finds strength and protection.
4irginia 8ee +"rton gives "s <aty and the +ig 9now) wherein a valiant little snowplow
digs an entire town o"t after a bli%%ard. I have memori%ed the words to +"rton!s 'ike
'"lligan and &is 9team 9hovel) having read it almost daily to a parade of children eager
to hear one more time how 'ike and his machine d"g the cellar of the new town hall in
record time. Ivan 9herman!s I 1m ,iant reminds the reader of *"st how powerf"l a little
girl giant can be. William 9teig!s +rave Irene delivers a dress for her ailing seamstress
mother despite the obstacle of a raging bli%%ard. 8entil saves the day for @obert
'c2loskey!s town filled with people waiting to welcome home a local hero.
'c2loskey has given "s so many "nforgettable books. -he mallard family in his 'ake
Way for /"cklings has become so famo"s that +oston!s $"blic ,ardens have a stat"e of
them. +l"eberries for 9al ends happily despite the crisis of mistaken identities that
happens when a mother bear and 9al!s mother "nknowingly swap offspring. One 'orning
in 'aine feat"res this same family. 1 tooth has been lost) then lost again) b"t all works
for the best in the end.
$arents will love Oh Were -hey Ever &appy5 by $eter 9pier) which tells the tale of
tho"ghtf"l children painting the ho"se while the parents are gone for the day. 'ercer
'ayer!s 8ittle 2ritter r"ns into a little tro"ble himself when he tries to help o"t in 6"st .or
3o". /on .reeman gives "s a little bear who solves a problem in 1 $ocket for 2ord"roy.
'ar*orie .lack!s classic -he 9tory 1bo"t $ing takes "s to 2hina) where we meet $ing as
he is separated from) and re"nited with) his family. In 1 +argain for .rances) &oban
brings .rances back again) this time to solve the problem of a friend who has tricked
.rances o"t of her favorite tea set. 9hel 9ilverstein!s -he 'issing $iece finds its so"l
mate. -he little boy in his book -he ,iving -ree finds wisdom. 1nd 6ames 'arshall!s
'iss 7elson) from several titles beginning with 'iss 7elson is 'issing) finds a way to
discipline her "nr"ly class of school children when she m"st be away from school.
-he ill"strations in 8ore 9egal!s -ell 'e a 'it%i are "n"s"al yet captivating in this series
of stories) the first one following 'it%i as she p"ts in a f"ll day!s work before her parents
are even o"t of bed. 'r. $opper!s $eng"ins by @ichard and .lorence 1twater has
captivated children for ages as it follows the "ps and downs of 'r. $opper as he tends to
these creat"res. -he idea of caring for something or someone is bea"tif"lly reali%ed in
8ynn @eid +ank!s series feat"ring -he Indian in the 2"pboard. Omri discovers that a
cabinet he has received is magic as the plastic toy he has placed inside it comes to life.
-he three books that follow Omri and his magic c"pboard are not to be missed.
$erfect the $ig by 9"san 6eschke provides magic of another sort as we watch $erfect) a
lovely little winged pig) get stolen and re"nited with his friend Opal. 8ost in the 9torm
re"nites a boy and his dog after an island storm. 8eft +ehind by 2arol 2arrick re"nites a
boy with his classmates after they become separated on a class trip. Well before its time is
'ar*orie .lack!s -he Easter +"nny and the 8ittle ,old 9hoes. 7ot only is this feminine
Easter +"nny able to provide a kindness for a sick little boy) b"t she has filled her
position only after overcoming social pre*"dice and managing to get her ho"sehold if
n"mero"s little b"nnies in order by giving them all ho"sehold chores to tend to.
1nother wonderf"l role model with a slightly older reading level is 2arol @yrie +rink!s
2addie Woodlawn. 2addie is brave) reso"rcef"l) and compassionate as she grows "p in
her native Wisconsin. 8ike 8a"ra Ingalls Wilder!s wonderf"l 8ittle &o"se books) +rink!s
book is based on family history.
Walter /. Edmond!s -he 'atchlock ,"n) based on his family!s history) tells the tale of a
pioneer family in 1Gth#cent"ry &"dson 4alley) 7ew 3ork. 1n "ltra#2atholic book with a
historical setting is -he O"tlaws of @avenh"rst by 9ister Imelda Wallace) 9.8.) which
follows a family who has come from 9cotland to the 2hesapeake +ay area.
-he +oxcar 2hildren by ,ertr"de 2handler Warner is also satisfyingly old#fashioned in
tone and introd"ces "s to a family of fo"r orphans who make their way thro"gh
challenging sit"ations. .inally) 9tone .ox by 6ohn @eynolds ,ardiner is) like 1 &"ndred
/resses) a book that m"st not be missed. 1 yo"ng boy tries to help his very sick
grandfather by winning an almost impossible#to#win sled race. -he boy!s sled dog is
memorable) b"t the book!s most "nforgettable hero is the legendary 9tone .ox of the title.
.amily fort"nes
1s children make their way thro"gh the middle years in school and begin to prepare for
early high#school experiences) tastes in books change. &ere!s a somewhat shorter list of
titles that seem to meet the needs of the slightly older reader.
9o"nder by William &. 1rmstrong: a share#cropper family and their dog are feat"red in
this moving story of a family that m"st depend on one another as the father serves a
prison term. 6ohn /. .it%gerald tells "s the story of his own family in his stories feat"ring
-he ,reat +rain) his older brother -om. 2atholic readers may find it easy to identify with
this 'ormon family whose religion is part of daily life. 1ll of a <ind .amily by 9ydney
-aylor introd"ces another series based on an a"thor!s family. -his family is) for m"ch of
the series) composed entirely of girls) and these girls are 6ewish. -he reader will learn
m"ch abo"t 6ewish faith and traditions) b"t the charm of this series lies in the love the
family members have for one another.
+eat the -"rtle /r"m by 2onstance ,reene is the poignant story of <ate) who dreams of
being a writer) and her sister 6oss) whose death forms the focal point of this novel. /eath
fig"res in another yo"ng#ad"lt novel # Irene &"nt!s Hp a @oad 9lowly0 here 6"lie deals
with her *ealo"sy of a sister and the death of a schoolmate. 9arah $lain and -all is $atricia
'ac8achlan!s look at a different kind of family) this one formed when a father sends for a
wife who can be a mother to his children.
+etsy and -acy are two classic fig"res in children!s literat"re. ,rade#school children
en*oy following the day#to#day advent"res of the two inseparable friends created by
'a"d &art 8ovelace in her +etsy and -acy series. +"nnic"la Cand later &owliday InnD by
6ames &owe wo"ld not seem) at first glance) to be abo"t families) dealing as they do with
a vampire b"nny and being told in the voice of a dog) b"t these characters do their living
in the presence of a very ordinary) loving family. Eli%abeth Enright!s -he 9at"rdays was a
favorite of mine thro"gh grade school. It tells the story of a family whose fo"r children
combine their allowances so that each child may p"rs"e a favorite activity on his or her
partic"lar 9at"rday.
1nne of ,reen ,ables by 8. '. 'ontgomery presents an alternative family in that 1nne
is adopted by the 2"thberts) a brother and sister who live on $rince Edward Island in
2anada. O"r family fo"nd this series so captivating that we once traveled to $rince
Edward Island simply to see where 1nne had lived. @ead the books. -ake the trip. +oth
are worth it.
'ore family data. In cons"lting my list of books) I fo"nd a note written in my 1?#year#
old da"ghter <ate!s handwriting: B/on!t leave o"t -he O"tsiders.B -his title by 9. E.
&inton has never been a favorite for me) b"t all o"r adolescents have loved this story of a
family of motherless boys who are loyal to one another while dealing with stress from the
o"tside world. -he book remains a favorite with many yo"ng people.
-he @ailway 2hildren) like those in -he O"tsiders) are also "nder press"re yet stick
together when their father is s"ddenly) and for reasons no one will explain to them) not
there one morning. E. 7esbit!s book follows them as they help one another and their
mother thro"gh the to"gh times that res"lt. 1 /ay 7o $igs Wo"ld /ie) @obert 7ewton
$eck!s a"tobiographical novel) is a painf"l yet bea"tif"l telling of the death of $eck!s
father. 2ynthia 4oigt!s &omecoming presents an absent father and opens with a mother
abandoning her children. -his novel) and /icey!s 9ong) which follows it) is m"ch more
"plifting than the descriptions wo"ld indicate.
8et the 2ircle +e Hnbroken) 'ildred /. -aylor!s story of the 8ogan family) whose friend
-. 6. is on trial for m"rder) shows the reader a family capable of co"rage) love) and
"nderstanding in the face of obstacles. 1nd perhaps these obstacles are telling themes in
the literat"re of families often so"ght o"t by children as they begin to test their own
independence and abilities.
It!s not easy being a kid
,rowing schoolchildren probably wish that their worries co"ld stay as simple as those
faced by .rances the badger and 9wimmy the fish. Watching yo"ng people deal with
pain) s"ffering) and diffic"lt day#to#day sit"ations can help yo"ng men and women
develop a sense that they too are strong and capable. C1n inside: consider recommending
a child!s book to the adolescent working thro"gh a problem. +eloved childhood books
can be a comfort at any age.D
+aby Island by 2arol @yrie +rink is a wonderf"l book for grade#school or middle#school
readers. -wo yo"ng girls find that) after a shipwreck on an island) they are responsible for
the health and safety of a gro"p of babies. @eaders will en*oy following the advent"res of
these modern#day @obinson 2r"soes Cand the shipwreck is handled in a remarkably
"ntro"bling wayD.
1n "rban setting # 7ew 3ork!s &arlem # provides the setting for 1 &ero 1in!t 7othin! +"t
a 9andwich by 1lice 2hildress. 3o"ng adolescent readers appreciate the honesty of this
book in which hope and reality b"mp "p against one another as a yo"ng boy str"ggles
with the escape offered by dr"gs. While not comforting) this book can provide a good
meditation on the very real s"fferings of people within the adolescent portion of the
mystical body.
9o"p and 'e is another a"tobiographical offering from @obert 7ewton $eck. -his warm
and f"nny) yet sometimes poignant) book follows the f"n and misadvent"res of $eck and
his boyhood friend) 9o"p. -he boys overcome obstacles) and the tr"e en*oyment of the
writing comes from the fact that so many of these obstacles are self#created.
6"lie) of 6ean 2raighead ,eorge!s 6"lie of the Wolves) is act"ally 'iyax) a yo"ng girl lost
in the 7orth 9lope area of 1laska. 1 yo"ng man who m"st also contend with physical as
well as mental challenges is 9am ,ribley) the hero in ,eorge!s novel On the .ar 9ide of
the 'o"ntain. +ette ,reen!s 9"mmer of 'y ,erman 9oldier p"ts the yo"ng#ad"lt reader
in a small 1rkansas town with $atty +ergen) a 1=#year#old who will form a friendship
with a yo"ng ,erman soldier ho"sed in a camp for prisoners of war d"ring World War II.
Watching as $atty comes to see that her friend 1dolph is not so m"ch a 7a%i as he is a
lonely) frightened teenager) will perhaps inspire the reader to ("estion his or her own
approach to s"ch things as stereotyping and war.
'any books for school#aged readers blend themes so bea"tif"lly that it is impossible to
place them in any one category. 8ois 8owry!s 7"mber the 9tars makes a powerf"l
arg"ment for peace. -en#year#old 1nnemarie and her best friend Ellen @osen live in
2openhagen. -he year is 1I:?) and Ellen is 6ewish. -his book deals with family) bravery)
and overcoming obstacles. ,ary $a"lsen!s &atchet deals with a harrowing advent"re as
its yo"ng hero str"ggles to stay alive after a wilderness plane crash0 the book also
presents his tho"ghts abo"t his parents who have had an "ns"ccessf"l marriage. 6acob
&ave I 8oved is <atherine $aterson!s coming#of#age story of sisters 8o"ise and 2aroline.
9"mmer of the 'onkeys) Wilson @awl!s acco"nt of a yo"ng boy who discovers a m"ch#
so"ght#after b"nch of monkeys) defies strict classification) as does 'ar*orie <inan
@awling!s end"ring tale -he 3earling abo"t a yo"ng fawn adopted by a boy in 2ross
2reek) .lorida. .inally another book by Wilson @awls that sho"ld not be pinned down is
Where the @ed .ern ,rowns. -his story of +illy and his dogs) Old /an and 8ittle 1nn) is
one that can make strong men cry0 like 9tone .ox) it is diffic"lt to read alo"d past the
l"mp in yo"r throat.
-he end never comes
+ooks take "s o"t of o"rselves to a world we might not otherwise see. -hey introd"ce "s
to people worth meeting. -hey p"t "s in the presence of virt"es worth imitating. -he
yo"ngest child can en*oy a book) and that very book) en*oyed before even the first day of
school) may speak to the child on s"ch a profo"nd level that it comes to mind years later
when it is needed. 2hildren will lead "s) and later lead themselves) to the books that
speak to them. -hese will stay with them forever.
Once "pon a time
-he following stories are timeless and appealing beca"se they are both comforting and
empowering. ,ood is rewarded and evil p"nished0 si%e and age mean nothing if one is
clever0 magic is possible. -hese stories come in many forms) with varied text and
ill"strations. 1 s"btle benefit of folk tales is the window they provide into different
c"lt"res.
$a"l ,aldone: -he -hree +ears -he -hree 8ittle $igs
$eter 1sb*ornsen: -he -hree +illy ,oats ,r"ff
'arcia +rown: 9tone 9o"p
@obert 'c2loskey: 1ndy and the 8ion Can "pdated version of the traditional 1ndrocles
and the 8ionD.
Wanda ,ag: 'illions of 2ats
Esphyr 9lobodkina: 2aps for 9ale
-he +rothers ,rimm: +remen -own '"sicians @"mpelstiltskin 9hoemaker and the Elves
2harles $erra"lt: 8ittle @ed @iding &ood 2inderella
E%ra 6ack <eats: Over in the 'eadow
6acob ,rimm: .rog $rince
&ans 2hristian 1nderson: -he Hgly /"ckling -he $rincess and the $ea -he Emperor!s
7ew 2lothes -h"mbelina
1rlene 'osel: -ikki -ikki -embo
Oscar Wilde: -he 9elfish ,iant
$eter $arnall: -he ,reat .ish
1rth"r @ansome: -he .ool of the World and the .lying 9hip
'argot Eemach: It 2o"ld 1lways +e Worse
&arve Eemach: 9alt: 1 @"ssian -ale
William 9teig: 2aleb and <atie -he 1ma%ing +one +rave Irene -iffky /oofky
,erald 'c/ermott: 1nansi the 9pider: 1 -ale from 1shanti
-omie de $aola: -he 8egend of the Indian $aintbr"sh -he 8egend of the +l"ebonnet -he
8egend of Old +efana
,ood books that help grow great kids
6an 9ho"p is the co#owner of the 'agic -ree 2hildren!s bookstore in Oak $ark) Illinois.
1s /irector of @eligio"s Ed"cation at .air Oaks $resbyterian 2h"rch in Oak $ark) 9ho"p
often speaks to gro"ps abo"t "sing children!s books to raise moral children. &ere are
some of her favorites.
'iss @"mphi"s by +arbara 2ooney. 'iss @"mphi"s travels the world and enriches her
northeastern corner of it by planting field after fields of l"pines.
,randpappy by 7ancy W. 2arlstrom. 7ate follows his grandfather thro"gh his daily
ro"tine and sees a 2hristlike life being lived with no fanfare. B+e a light) 7ate)B says
,randpappy) in words and actions.
8innea in 'onet!s ,arden by 2hristina +*ork. @espect for nat"re) love of art) and the
importance of relationships all play a part in this ("iet) lovely book.
1 @ose for 1bby by /onna ,"thrie. 1bbie) a minister!s child) spends her after#school
ho"rs with lost#and#fo"nd things. 9he finds a way to help a bag lady and is rewarded.
-he +ee -ree0 2hicken 9"nday0 1ppalamanda!s /ream0 @echenka!s Eggs by $atricia
$olacco. -hese books and any by $olacco are gentle and imaginative and help open doors
to new worlds.
Wednesday 9"rprise by Eve +"nting. -his book has a special twist that children will find
charming and powerf"l.
-he Empty $ot by /emi. 1n emperor) who is looking for a s"ccessor calls all the children
to get a seed) plant it) and see what happens. -he importance of honesty and co"rage is
seen and rewarded.
Who Is 2oming to O"r &o"se by 6oseph 9late. -his is a bea"tif"l book for the 1dvent
season.
@ag 2oat by 8a"ren 'ills. <indness and acceptance play important parts in this story of
a coal miner!s da"ghter and her patchwork ("ilt coat.
In times of tro"ble
9ome things are too painf"l to talk abo"t. Watching others move thro"gh similar
sit"ations can provide comfort.
/eath: 7ana Hpstairs) 7ana /ownstairs by -omie de $aola -he -enth ,ood -hing abo"t
+arney by 6"dith 4iorst -he /ead +ird by 'argaret Wise +rown
8iving with a single parent: '"shy Eggs 1drienne 1dams I 8ove 'y 'other by $a"l
Eindel 1 .ather 8ike -hat by 2harlotte Eolotow
Illness: -he 9ick 9tory by 8inda &irsch 1 4isit to the &ospital by .rancine 2hase 6"st
1wf"l by 1lma Whitney
War: $otatoes) $otatoes by 1nita 8obel War and $eas by 'ichael .oreman 'illions of
2ats by Wanda ,ag. -he best of the best # not to be missed. +rave 9oldier 6anosh by
4ictor 1mbr"s /r"mmer &off by +arbara Emberley