Sharing the stories of children and families around the world is one of our favorite activities in our classrooms! It’s never too soon to start reading out loud to your children – infants and toddlers in our school and childcare enjoy hearing the inflections and rhythms as we tell stories and enjoy looking at pictures! Our preschool and kindergarten students also love journeying through both new and familiar stories, and love story time and our classroom reading nook and library!
Reading out loud increases a child’s attention span and listening skills, builds vocabulary and recognition of phonetic sounds and letters, increases brain power, and grows their curiosity and memory. Not only that, but through the power of stories, a child is introduced to new places and times and people that they may not otherwise encounter. And, of course, reading together is such a meaningful way to bond!
If you’re looking for books to add to your library, or introduce to your child, check out our interview with a few of our amazing team of teachers and directors, where they share a few of their favorite children’s books!
What book did you love as a young child?
Ms. Allison: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. I LOVED all the poems, and the pictures. I would read them over and over again. My favorite was and still is “Listen to the Mustnt’s”.
Ms. Pauline: Goodnight Moon! I just loved what the book was about and it was a book that was read to me regularly as a child.
Ms. Michele: My mom says I loved any of the Berenstain Bear books! The Berenstain Bears are a family of grizzlies, with an “overenthusiastic Papa Bear”, a “wise mama Bear” and a “bright, lively little cub.” (Source)
Ms. Andrea: I loved so many books that my mom read to me, but one of them was Duncan and Dolores by Barbara Samuels, about a little girl who doesn’t know that her exuberant love for her new pet has made him scared of her! She learns that gentleness and respect are the way to win his affection. I also enjoyed classics such as Alexander and the Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (have you ever woken up with gum in your hair?), Curious George (he was a good little monkey but always very curious!), and Blueberries for Sal (Sal tangles with a hungry bear family) and Caps for Sale.
What is one book you enjoy reading with your child?
Ms. Allison: My daughter is in college, but we loved the Harry Potter books when she was younger.
Ms. Pauline: Corduroy is another of my favorite children’s books that I would read to my children – it is a cute story of finding a home and belonging no matter who you are!
Ms. Michele: My favorite children’s book is Love You Forever. It’s a timeless classic and shows the circle of life and love between a child and their parents.
Ms. Andrea: We love reading rhyming picture books and anything that allows us to use different voices: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Moo Baa La La La, the Madeline books and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? We also enjoy If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!
What are a few books you think every parent should have in their home library?
Ms. Allison:
- City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Williams is about the four seasons and the seasons of life
- It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw is a creative book with lots of repetition that children can help with!
- Pezzitino by Leo Leonni is a book where Pezzitino discovers he belongs to nobody but himself!
- The Peace Rose by Alicia Jewell is a great message about using a rose to help solve difficulties between children
- The Mitten, by Jan Brett, contains beautiful illustrations with a preview of the next page on each page
Ms. Pauline:
- The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith is a hilarious book that reminds us we are all different
- No David by David Shannon is a simple book, but with a timeless message that no matter what, you are still loved
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has beautiful illustrations and colors as well the overall story
Ms. Michele:
- Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
- Berenstain Bearby Stan and Jan Berenstain teach good life lessons
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is a fun book with animations and has a story that children can take an active participation with their parent!
Ms. Andrea:
There are so many wonderful books to have in your library, but here are some of my favorites!
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats explores the wonder of experiencing a snowy day
- The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey resounds with the curious child! “Through the meadow they went, down the road, over the bridge, across the green grass, and up the hill…”
- The Magic School Bus books are a wonderful, creative way for children to learn about the natural world! I still remember facts I first learned from these books!
- Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans inspires little ones to be fearless and kind through the life of the little Madeline
- Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is all about the imagination and the power to create
- I also enjoyed reading the mischievous but good hearted stories of Flicka Ricka and Dicka and Snip, Snap and Snurr by Maj Lindman.
