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A word about book recommendations:
The age at which a child can benefit
from a book varies. Some children have the patience to listen to
actual stories by age two, while others do not develop this ability
until later.
In addition, a child's understanding
and ability to learn from different kinds of material grows as
he does. In giving age recommendations, I tried to consider when
it is worthwhile to start reading a book to your
child. This does not mean that this is the optimal age for a child
to appreciate the book or that one should stop reading this book
when your child is older.
A book such as Anno's
Counting Book, for example, is listed under age two.
Age two is much too young to expect a child to learn to count
up to 12. However, the spectacular pictures in this book,
combined with the fact that a two-year-old can start to learn
to count by rote, made me feel that age two is a good time
to "start" to read this book.
Keep in mind that this is a list
of recommended books, but every child has his own preferences.
While many children enjoy the books listed below, you should let
your child guide you. If he does not enjoy a particular book,
choose a different one.
HAPPY READING!
1. Pat
the Bunny
By: Edith Kunhardt Davies
Golden Books, 1976
Ages: Six months and up
A great inter-active first book. Allows
children to use their senses through activities such as patting
a bunny, smelling flowers and looking in the mirror.
2. Where's
Spot?
By: Eric Hill
Publisher: Penguin USA, 1994
Ages: Six months and up
A mother looks for her missing puppy. Children can pull up the flaps
to find a variety of basic objects. Lots of fun.
3. Goodnight
Moon
By: Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, 1991
Ages: Six months and up
This book is worthy of being every
child's first good night book. The narrator gently wishes a good
night to a room and all it's contents.
4. Mother
Goose, A Treasury of Best Loved Rhymes
Edited by: Watty Piper, Illustrated by Tim and Greg Hildebrandt
Ages: Six months and up
It is never too early to start reading
classic nursery rhymes. Here is one beautiful edition that is now
out of print. It can still be purchased from the out-of-print section
of on-line stores and can certainly be found in libraries. This
is only one of many beautiful collections. Go to a bookstore or
a library and choose a classic Mother Goose selection for your child.
You can't go wrong.
5. Brown
Bear, Brown Bear What Do you See
By: Bill Martin Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, 1996
Ages: One and up
This rhyming book is a great introduction
to animals and colors.
6. Jesse
Bear, Jesse Bear What do I wear?
By: Nancy White Carlstrom, Illustrated by Bruce Degan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, 1996
Ages: One and up
A rhyming book that describes a day
in the life of a young bear.
7. The
Very Hungry Caterpillar
By: Eric Carle
Publisher: Philomel Books a division of The Putman & Gosset
Group, 1987
Ages: Two and up
The book describes the process of a
caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Includes beautiful pictures
and a unique format with different sized pages. Particularly appealing
to young children.
8. The
Runaway Bunny
By: Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, 1991
Ages: Two and up
A beautiful story about the devotion
of a mother to her child.
9. Are
You My Mother?
By: P.D. Eastman
Publisher: Random House Inc., 1998
Ages: Two and up
A young bird checks out all different
kinds of animals and objects in the search for his mother.
10. Little
Bear
By: Else Holmelund Minarik, Illustrator Maurice Sendak
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, 1978
Ages: Two and up
A little bear goes on imaginative adventures
with the help and encouragement of his patient mother.
11. Anno's
Counting Book
By: Mitsumasa Anno
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, July 1986
A stunning counting book that allows
children to learn to count through vivid portraits of nature. The
pictures are of such quality that children ages two until eight
are captivated.
12. The
Little Engine That Could
By: Watty Piper, Illustrated by George and Doris Hauman
Publisher: Platt &Munk Publishers, 1976
Ages: Three and up
A story about how perseverance and
hard work are more important than size and strength.
13. Where
the Wild Things Are
By: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, 1984
Ages: Three and up
The adventures of Max, who behaves
wildly and is, sent to bed without any supper.
14. Corduroy
By: Don Freeman
Publisher: Penguin USA, 1976
Ages: Three and up
The story of a bear named Corduroy, who goes on a search for his
button and for a home.
15. Caps
for Sale
By: Esphyr Slobodkina
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books June, 1987
Ages: Three and up
A great story about a peddler, monkeys
and caps. Helps develop imitation skills.
16. Frederick
By: Leo Lionni
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 1973
Ages: Three and up
Frederick the mouse stores sunshine
and colors while his family prepares food provisions for the winter.
A story about the importance of imagination and the need for appreciating
not only life's necessities, but also life's joys.
17. Alexander
and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
By: Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Ray Cruz
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's, 1976
Ages: Four and up
A great book for those days when your
preschooler simply can't do anything right. Here's a story about
a boy whose day goes all-wrong and how his mother reassures him.
18.
Doctor De Soto
By: William Steig
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc., 1990
Ages: Four and up
A dentist, who is also a mouse and
his wife, outsmart their patient - a fox.
19. Bread
and Jam for Frances
By: Russell Hoban, Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Publisher: Harper Colllins Children's Books, 1986
Ages: Four and up
If you have a child who always wants
to eat the same thing, this is the book for her. A story about a
girl who only wants to eat bread and jam and how her mother helps
her to try new foods.
20. The
Giving Tree
By: Shel Silvestein
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books, Feb. 1986
Ages: Four and up
A tree shows his love for a boy by
slowly giving him parts of himself. There is no better book to teach
children about the value, joy, and sacrifice involved in giving
to others.
To see more great books for young
readers go to More Books to Grow On.
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