In honor of the author Eric Carle's birthday today I thought I would recommend one of my favorite books. Most people will mention his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar
, which is a wonderful picture book which is a shame because he has written and illustrated countless other classics. The Very Busy Spider
by Eric Carle is my favorite of his "Very" series because it is the first book my niece Celia "read". When she was only about two years old she this was the book she constantly picked up to for anyone to read to her. She heard it so much that she was able to "read" it herself. Now I put "read" in parenthesis because what she really had done was memorize it and just recited it back to anyone who would listen. The funny part is she imitated her mother's intonations perfectly. Whenever I would read this book at story time I always read it like "Celia".....This is a must have for any child in your life.
Thank you Mr Carle for the great memories and wonderful books ~ Happy Birthday!
by Rebecca Caudill and illustrated by Elliot Gilbert was first published in the early 1960's. I discovered at a Scholastic Book Fair at my school (many years later) where it immediately became one of my favorite childhood books. I think I also liked it because it was dedicated to "Ann Elizabeth" which is my sister's name. This is the story of a little girl who gets invited to a birthday party and is told she should bring her favorite doll. She decides to take her oldest and raggiest doll and is rewarded for the love she shows for it. It ties into Toy Story because whenever the the little girl is not in the room the dolls talk to each other. It is probably one of the sweetest books I have ever read but it is not overly sappy. I think of this book whenever I see an umbrella in a drink because it reminds me of an image in the book where all the dolls are placed around a table with tiny drinks and umbrellas.
by Dubose & Dorothy Heyward based on the music from George & Ira Gershwin with paintings by Mike Wimmer is a really beautiful book that illustrates a classic song. This is a perfect lullaby book and is a wonderful way to end a beautiful summers day. My Mother always sang this song to me, if only we had a book that we could use as as read along. A great book to add to a child's collection of bedtime books.
....for some reason he took a dislike to it. It was very difficult finding songs that boys would like and the only one I remember ever being able to get through to him was Take Me Out to the Ballgame....which I sang over and over again. So for Daniel I am recommending a great picture book version of this song.
by Jack Norworth and illustrated by Alec Gilman is wonderful storybook about baseball. Besides having all the words and history of this iconic song it has a wonderful setting. It takes place at Ebbets Field during the 5th game of the 1947 World Series game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the NY Yankees. I am part of a family of Yankees fans but my grandfather was a Dodger fan so I always root for them too! This is the perfect book for the little baseball fan in your life....
by Ruth Stiles Gannett is the classic story of adventure and fantasy that has enthralled children for over 50 years. I always recommended it to reluctant readers when I worked in the stores because it was an easy and fun read. It also makes a great read aloud....the kind of book to read to your child every night...another book for dads to read too! Don't forget about its sequels either....these books will never go out of style which is a wonderful thing. Enjoy!
by Rosanne Parry and illustrated by David Leonard is a really sweet board book that illustrates completely a joyous ritual of childhood. It is the perfect book for a father to read to his child. The rhyming is so easy to read and the illustrations are a perfect match. This is the kind of book to be read again and again.
