The Greatest and Best Children's Books

When I was 4 my mom started teaching me how to read and write so I would be prepared for school. It surprises me to know that this is not a common practice, that some people never take the time to sit down with their children and read to them, much less teach them how to read. The greatest gift one can give a child is the ability and desire to read.

I am shocked even more by this statistic:

The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.
I sat there with Sally. We sat there, we two.
And I said, "How I wish we had something to do!"
-from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Thirty-eight percent of all fourth graders in the United States can't read this simple poem.

I think that in a country like America we should have better statistics. Commit yourself to reading daily to your child, and to making sure they know how to read. Do not leave it up to the Public School System.

Last Christmas, my sister told us how she had loved Corduroy as a child and wanted her 1 year old to have the books, too. My mother and I thought it would be simple to buy a few books, but little did we know that not only are there well over 20 books by Don Freeman but there is also a stuffed Corduroy bear created by Yottoy. Once we found out the bear existed we had to have him but we soon found out that he'd sold out in most stores (including Amazon.) However, a few Google searches later and I found two online shops who still carry him! Get him before he's gone!

Corduroy Bear 13" Plush Toy by Yottoy
Corduroy is one of the best loved bears in children's literature for over 35 years. He comes to life as a soft caramel-colored fur creation that is perfectly complemented by the rich green of his removable corduroy overalls, embroidered eyes and hand-stitched nose. Just as in his story about a small bear that has lost one of his buttons Corduroy humbly displays his lone blue button... but we've added a surprise! Tucked inside his loose overall strap, we've hidden another securely attached blue button that youngsters never tire of finding.

December 2008: These stores have sold out.

Dragonfly Dry Goods Online Store
Location:
Dragonfly Dry Goods
136 Main Street
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
Toll Free: 866-927-0099
802-257-0099
Price: $19.99 + $4.95 Shipping
Ships: United States and Puerta Rico
Click Here to visit Dragonfly Dry Goods

Miss Katie's Charm School Online Shop
Location: Aventura Mall (Outside of Macy's, Second Floor)
Miss Katie's Charm School
19501 Biscayne Blvd.
Aventura, Florida 33180
1-877-MYCHARM
954-564-4144
Price: $21.00 + $6.00 or $12.00 Shipping
Ships: United States and Puerto Rico
Click Here to visit Miss Katie's Charm School

PS. Check your local Barnes and Noble as they sold out online but could have him in stock in a local store.

Hans Christian Andersen wrote 180 tales in his life as a writer. Each story crafted from old fairy tales and traditions with the intent of catching a child's wonder.

More about Hans Christian Andersen can be found here at Hans Christian Andersen: Fairy Tales and Stories, click here for a direct list of his stories and read them on the website's online library.

While you could easily visit the above website, download and print many of the stories a tangible copy might be more thrilling to your child. Most editions of Hans' books are published with beautiful and colorful illustrations. Look below for a list of some of his most beloved tales in beautiful editions!