Books I Grew Up With
My earliest memories are being read to by my mother. I grew up loving to read. The stories carried me away to amazing places and introduced me to all kinds of characters. These are all of my favorite books, from early childhood through my teenage years. They have given me joy, inspired me, opened my imagination, made me laugh and made me cry. I hope you will enjoy them, too. Photo by woodsy at Stock Exchange
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Geisel's books have helped to teach countless children to read. I am one of them. His colorful illustrations with striking and original characters immerse the reader in a wonderful Seussian world. He has written classic stories that delight all ages. Here are the two Dr. Seuss books that I read and enjoyed the most
Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books)
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is one of the iconic Dr. Seuss books. Perfect for learning to read. The word play, pictures and story are so much fun. It is definitely best read aloud to hear the rhythm and the rhymes.
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
I Had Trouble in getting to Solla Sollew (Classic Seuss)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a fabulous fable by Dr. Seuss. The pictures are engaging and exciting. I remember being fascinated by them in this book particularly. It is the story of a young person leaving home and looking for a better life in the ideal paradise of Solla Sollew. He encounters many dangers and trials along the way. He is surprised when paradise isn't what he thought it would be.
Favorite Dr. Seuss Book Poll
Poetry
Full of word play and imagery, poetry speaks to all ages. Poetry is best when read aloud. Here are some outstanding poetry books for children.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 07/06/2009)
The exact anthology that I had is old and hard to find. This is a wonderful collection that has beautiful illustrations and is highly recommended.
Piping Down the Valleys Wild
Piping Down the Valleys Wild
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a wide ranging collection of poetry that appeals to elementary school children. There are very few illustrations.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
If you are a dreamer, come in.
Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings
Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 07/06/2009)
Shel Silverstein's poems and illustrations capture the spirit, humor, playfulness, and struggles of childhood. They are so much fun to read that children don't notice that there are also some useful life lessons sprinkled throughout the silliness. My three favorites that made me roar with laughter are "Sick", "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out", and "Kidnapped"
From My Grandmother
My grandmother was born to Swedish immigrants in North Dakota. As a young child she went with her mother to Sweden for an extended visit with relatives. Her family read Swedish stories to her about three brothers, Snipp, Snapp and Snurr. She found English versions of two books and made a casette tape for my sister and me. We never had the books, but we listened to her on the cassette every night.
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Red Shoes
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and The Red Shoes
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
What are the boys going to get for Mom on her birthday?
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr, and the Big Surprise
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr, and the Big Surprise
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
The boys work hard to prepare a very special surprise.
Fairy Tales
All girls love princesses and magical fairy tales. Many fairy tales have roots in folk stories. Here are my favorite fairy tale books. While I enjoyed all kinds of fairy tales, these two collections were different from most because they did not always end happily. Not that I was a morose child, but these went against the normal formula. I couldn't predict them and they moved me. Some of the stories have happy endings, too.
Grimms Fairy Tales
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 07/06/2009)
These are classic fairy tales based on the folk stories collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Not all of them are happy and some of them are a little bit scary.
Hans Christian Andersen
Fairy Tales from Hans Christian Andersen: A Classic Illustrated Edition (Classics Illustrated)
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
A collection of 9 favorite Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales with beautiful reproductions of illustrations from various artists. This includes my three personal Andersen favorites, "The Little Mermaid", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", and "The Little Match Girl". It also has the humorous classic, "The Princess and the Pea".
Favorite Books from Elementary School
These books are not bound by any theme. They are generally aimed at elementary school children and that is when I read them, with one exception. Read the details to find out which one.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD
Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 07/06/2009)
Shel Silverstein wrote a fable for all ages that teaches the true meaning of love in a beautifully simple way.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
I didn't discover this book until I was in high school. My English teacher recommended that I perform it for a dramatic reading. I loved the humor of it immediately. Judith Viorst gives the character a voice filled with such personality that it is wonderful to read aloud. Alexander has always helped me to laugh when I am having one of those days when everything seems to go wrong. We all have them.
Ramona the Pest
Ramona the Pest (Ramona Quimby)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Beverly Cleary is a dearly loved children's author. The Ramona series is so funny and the portrayal of childhood struggles, sibling conflict and family life rings true. Children can see themselves or their annoying younger sister in the character of Ramona. This is the first one and my favorite of the series.
The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Little House Collection Box Set (Full Color)
Amazon Price: $34.19 (as of 07/06/2009)
Little House in the Big Woods was the very first chapter book that I read all by myself. I remember feeling so accomplished when I finished it. Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, based on memories of her pioneer life in the American west, are full of details of that place and time. The stories are full of drama, humor, and family.
The Oz Books by L. Frank Baum
We're off to see the Wizard.
LARGE 15 Books in 1: L. Frank Baum's Oz Series. Wonderful Wizard of Oz-Marvelous Land of Oz-Ozma of Oz-Dorothy & Wizard in Oz-Road to Oz-Emerald City of Oz-Patchwork Girl of Oz-Little Wizard Stories
Amazon Price: $53.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
The fantasy world of Oz is colorful, detailed, imaginative, and sometimes a little scary. Because of the movie, we all know about Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West. There are many other characters in this series and the world of Oz is much bigger than could be contained in one movie. The main characters from The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man) appear in many of the books and have lots of adventures.
The Cricket in Times Square
The Cricket in Times Square (Chester Cricket and His Friends)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a wonderful book with animal characters. There is lots of humor and adventure. This is another of my all-time favorite read aloud books from elementary school.
The Phantom Toll Booth
The Phantom Tollbooth
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a fantastical and sometimes absurd book full of puns and language play. That makes this one another pleasure to read aloud. It is by turns silly and thoughtful, strange and beautiful.
The Picture Bible
The Picture Bible (Depicted Like Comic Strip)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Iva Hoth edited and Andre LeBlanc provided the comic book illustrations for this graphic novel version of the bible. This will appeal to children and comic book lovers of all ages. Most of the illustrations are black and white. It is in three volumes and includes the Old and New Testaments.
Girls and Their Horses
There is something to be said for this stereotypical combination. Horses were my favorite animal throughout my childhood. Growing up in the suburbs, I never learned to ride a horse. But I drew pictures of them for hours. I played with model horses. I read all the horse books I could find. They symbolized beauty, strength, freedom, and grace. I lived my horse fantasies vicariously though the adventures and characters in these books.
Misty of Chincoteague
Misty of Chincoteague
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a wonderful story with a strong sense of place. It centers on the annual roundup and auction of wild ponies from the island of Chincoteague, off the coast of Virginia. A girl dreams of someday owning and riding one of the beautiful and spirited ponies. Dreams are difficult, but sometimes they can come true.
Stormy, Misty's Foal
Stormy, Misty's Foal
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
A continuation of the exciting saga of Misty the Chincoteague pony.
Black Gold
Black Gold
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This little black horse loves to race. It is in his heart and in his blood. He faces many struggles to achieve his championship destiny.
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
No one else saw anything special about him, but Justin Morgan knew a great horse when he saw one. Eventually everyone would understand what made Morgan's horse stand above the rest.
The Black Stalion
Black Beauty
Black Beauty
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This story follows the dramatic life of a beautiful, strong, and courageous horse through different owners. Some are kind and some are cruel. There are many adventures and turns along the road.
Reader poll
Fantasy and Science Fiction
I always loved the world of fairy tales. As I grew older I loved the imagination of fantasy and science fiction. These worlds were completely outside everyday reality. Here are my favorite fantasy and science fiction books from my youth.
The Time Trilogy by Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle's Time Trilogy (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet -- 3 Books in Slipcase)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This exciting science fiction trilogy follows the adventures of the Murry family. The central heroine throughout the series is the daughter Meg. Traveling through time and space, they make many discoveries and face many dangers.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia
Amazon Price: $17.15 (as of 07/06/2009)
An exciting series of fantasy adventure books that depict the ongoing struggle between good and evil. There are some allegorical parallels to Christianity, but not everything directly translates.
The Space Trilogy
Space Trilogy
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This series is meant for older readers than the Narnia books. It is also more detailed in its religious content. The stories are exciting and there is also a lot of philosophical musing and food for thought.
The first book, Out of the Silent Planet, is the story of how a skeptical astronaut and scientist is confronted with things beyond his ability to understand or quantify when he arrives to explore a far planet. It is the story of coming to faith.
The second book, Perelandra, looks at creation and the fall of man from Genesis through the eyes of a brand new planet.
The last book, That Hideous Strength is a science fiction version of Revelations, dealing with themes of the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ.
The Hobbit
The Hobbit
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is the story of Bilbo Baggins, an adventurous hobbit. That is quite unusual, since hobbits don't like to leave their farms. This book inspired the trilogy that continues what Bilbo unknowingly started when he found the ring. This story stands on it's own, however. The characters and the themes are more simple and straightforward than the epic trilogy that followed.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This sprawling trilogy tells of the end of the third age of Middle Earth. The power of the Elves is waning and there is a terrible enemy rising and threatening to enslave everyone.
J.R.R. Tolkein began constructing the history and mythology of Middle Earth by developing languages for the different cultures and peoples. There are dwarves, hobbits, elves, wizards, goblins, orks, trolls, and humans.
Novels for Younger Readers
Each of these novels is specifically aimed at a younger audience. There is also a common theme of family that runs through these books.
Danny, the Champion of the World
Danny the Champion of the World
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is one of the most memorable read aloud books from my elementary school years. That was always my favorite part of the day at school. The father and son relationship in this novel is richly portrayed and the characters feel so real. They are struggling financially and emotionally after the death of Danny's mother. His father has a plan, but he needs Danny's help to pull it off.
A Little Princess
A Little Princess (Puffin Classics)
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This classic children's novel is set in Victorian England. A young girl struggles at the hands of a cruel headmistress after the death of her father who had been a generous patron of the school.
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden (Aladdin Classics)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Another classic children's novel by Burnett. Again she deals with themes of loss, death and finding hope for a new life. A girl is orphaned in India and sent back to England to live with her uncle. But there is a mystery which is the key to lifting the dark gloom which hangs over the house like the fog over the moors.
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables (Signet Classics)
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
An orphaned girl is sent by an agency to be adopted by a spinster and her brother on Prince Edward Island. They want a boy who will help out with the farm work. Instead they get a headstrong and fanciful young girl.
There are several books in this series. This is the first one and the only one that I really read.
Little Women
Little Women (Signet Classics)
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
Another classic children's novel. The semi-autobiographical story is loosely based on Louisa May Alcott and her sisters. She wrote this novel to help support her family. The royalties from this, her most successful novel, helped her family get through some hard times.
Agatha Christie
Not specifically a children's writer, Agatha Christie's novels are still exciting reading for teens. Her detective plots are full of twists and suspense with vivid characters.
Ten Little Indians (And Then There Were None)
And Then There Were None
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
A suspenseful mystery full of twists. I read this in middle school on a Saturday afternoon. I couldn't stop turning the pages to get to the conclusion. I read other Christie mysteries after this, but this is the one I remember and remains my favorite.
Check Out Public Libraries
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Family Fun at the Library
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With the economy troublesome and family budgets tight, the public library is a free source of family entertainment and educational resources for the community. This lens is full of ideas and resources to help people enjoy using local public libraries...
You Can Do Squidoo!
Tell the world about the things you love
What do you think?
Did you enjoy this lens? Did you find any of your old favorites? Did you find a book that you want to read with your kids?
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
I love and have read nearly all of the books that you mention here. The one exception are the Snipp Snapp Snurr books. The illustrations remind me of The Poppy Seed Cakes by Margery Clark. I can hardly wait to read them. Thank you for the introduction.
Posted April 01, 2009
aj2008 wrote...
Ah, Black Beauty, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit - we have much in common. Lensrolled to my Narnia lens and thanks for the memories!
Posted March 26, 2009
Child_Health wrote...
Great lens! You've put together a lot of wonderful children's books here. I'd love for you to visit my lens and say hello when you have the chance.
Posted March 21, 2009
poutine wrote...
Great lens.
One of my favorite book when I was young, was Little Women.
I also enjoyed the movie.
Posted March 15, 2009
