Saturday, March 15, 2008

Would you like something to read?

So after reading this story about a 17 month old baby that can READ (watch the video... amazing), I am inspired and reminded of the importance of spending quality time reading books to your children.

A few of our favorites:

Fancy Nancy, by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser:



The Maggie B, by Irene Haas {this was one of my favorites as a little girl, and in fact helped inspire my daughter's name-- it has been out of print until just recently}:



Brown Bear, Brown Bear, by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle



and The Nutshell Library, by Maurice Sendak {these tiny books are great for sticking in your purse or diaper bag}:



I also need to add to my collection a few classics, like Frog and Toad are Friends, by Arnold Lobel, Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak, and Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell and Lillian Hoban.

These stories are fun to read and the illustrations are oh so charming. (In fact, I think I'd take one of everything off this list of classic children's books.)

So, what are your favorite books to read with your children?

14 comments:

Carolyn said...

I saw that little girl on one of the morning shows too...amazing! Lately we have enjoyed: The Curious George series (any and all), The Big Blue Spot by P. Howlitz, and Ish by P. Reynolds

john said...

Mom showed me that video today. It was incredible! and made me feel like i am totally lacking in readying to scarlette. even though she LOVED her books. (oh and was your title inspired by a child's christmas in whales? :) )

Scarlette likes "There's an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer. "

she also likes her "runanway bunny" by Margaret Wise Brown

ashley said...

Let's see...Frog and Toad books are a definite favorite, Magic Beach, any of the Magic School Bus series, Madeline, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Beatrix Potter books, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McClousky, McDuff by Rosemary Wells, Out and About, Harry the Dirty Dog, just to name a few.

Erin said...

haha, Love the title of your post Kat! I don't know if it was intentional, I'm assuming it was. But allow me to fill in the beginning of a quote from A Child's Christmas in Wales: "...Miss. Prothero, came downstairs and peered in at them. Jim and I waited, very quietly, to hear what she would say to them. She said the right thing, always. She looked at the three tall firemen in their shining helmets, standing among the smoke and cinders and dissolving snowballs, and she said..."

Grandma Kristi said...

Yes, I always regret that I didn't read to you kids more.....I know we did read, but not enough. And after I had Sarah, we read even less. Blame her, I guess. Just kidding, Sarah. But still, I remember Erin asking me to read to her over and over, and I was always "too busy"....then one day I realized she had stopped asking..... Major heart stab. Forgive me, Erin; I should have chosen to read to you.

kathryn said...

yeah... and now look, all Erin does is quote movies. so sad.

btw, erin, yes i was quoting A Child's Christmas in Wales, although I didn't know if anyone would actually get it. So bravo to you! And you too, Sarah.

Melissa said...

So, lets be honest here. As awesome as it would be to have a kid like that, you could run into some MAJOR problems a few years down the road. Like when your six year old wants to discuss photosynthesis, and you think that topic is boring. Then what? I stand by my theory: your kids will learn everything they need to know from the TV.

Melissa said...

Hey....where are you these days? Go online sometime so I have someone to shop with. I miss you lady!

Hailey said...

I watched that video of the 17 month old last Friday and was completely awestruck--HOW does that even happen? Thanks for the book recommendations--I have heard lots of people talking about Fancy Nancy. I'm no expert but I do know that I can never quite get through "I Love You Forever" by Munsch (sp?) without turning into a blubbering idiot.

Grandma Kristi said...

OF COURSE, we knew it was from "A Child's Christmas in Wales".....Didn't even have to wonder about it; however,Dad was amazed that Erin could actually quote the entire passage by heart. Was that really all from memory, Erin, or did you have an aid of some sort???

Me, myself, and I said...

okay so you have to be on goodreads.com, right? if not accept my invitation to go there. You'll find lists of books to stir your imagination and whimsy...ok well maybe not but you will be reminded of how many good books there are! Look for my daughter Amy's list, there are tons!

One more addiction on the internet!

theriddle said...

Once I get around to having children I'm going to check out your suggestions for books!

My favorite childhood books.

"Ig lives in a cave" - Family values taught in a caveman family.

"Escape from the Storm Sewer"
the heroic tale of alligators who discarded by their Hampton owners take refuge in the sewer and hatch a plan to return to their native florida.

Anonymous said...

I read a post that your dad invented the thrifty ice cream scoop I'm looking for one of those do you have any ideas where I can find one?

kathryn said...

hello georgiann. i don't know where you can buy "Thrifty" Ice cream scoops... my dad didn't even get one! the closest thing I've been able to find for a reasonable price is the Cuisipro ice cream scoop. here's the link, i hope this helps!

http://www.surlatable.com/product/cuisipro+ice+cream+scoop.do?search=basic&keyword=ice+cream+scoop&sortby=gsa&asc=true&page=1