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The Best Childrens Books | Childrens Books Online | Childrens Stories

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 1 person)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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The Best Childrens Books

 

I love to read. I was an avid reader as a child and read to my own children for many years.

I believe that reading opens the mind and imagination and can transport you into another world.

My boys favorites were the Little golden books and the Mr Men books.

This lens is full of the wonderful books that are available for children. I hope you enjoy it.

Dirt on My Shirt 

Dirt on My Shirt

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $16.99

My kids are still small, and I've wanted to introduce them more to rhyme and poetry. But I feel that most kids' poetry books are somehow over their heads, or they're just not big enough yet. My big girl is 7. I happened to run into this one today, and WOW, I thought the subject matter had such kid appeal, really sweet and kind, light, funny stuff (and not disgusting either!). So kudos to Jeff Foxworthy, hat's off to you, I didn't know you had this in you too. Illustrations great too. Hope you do some more!

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Little Golden Books For Children 

In 1942, Simon & Schuster began publishing the Little Golden Books, a series of inexpensive, well illustrated, high quality children's books.

The first twelve books were all published simultaneously, in hard cover format with dust jackets.

At a price of 25 cents, the series was met with instant commercial success.

The books went into multiple printings nearly immediately, devoured by a population hungry for a children's book of this sort.

Inexpensive, yet of high quality and high durability, the Little Golden Books fulfilled an unmet need of the country's growing juvenile reading population.

From a parent's perspective, LGB's were a worthy economic alternative to the comic book.
Poky Little Puppy
Poky Little Puppy

The eighth book in the series, Poky Little Puppy, is the top selling children's book of all time according to a 2001 list of bestselling children's hardback books compiled by Publisher's Weekly (see Appendix 4 for the Publisher's Weekly list of 100 bestselling children's hardcover books).

But Poky Little Puppy is not the only hugely successful LGB-four of the top eight books on the Publisher's Weekly list are Little Golden Books!

Many of the books have become icons within the picture book marketplace-Poky Little Puppy, Tootle, Scuffy The Tugboat, The Little Red Hen among others.

Several of the illustrators for the Little Golden Books later became staples within the picture book industry. Corinne Malvern, Tibor Gergely, Gustaf Tenggren, Feodor Rojankovsky, Richard Scarry, Eloise Wilkin, and Garth Williams are just a few of the illustrator's who contributed to this astonishingly successful book publishing phenomenon.

Many book collectors do not realize that the first thirty-five LGB's were issued with dust jackets - from 1942 to 1947 - at a standard 25-cent price.

These dust jacketed versions also have a blue cloth spine. There is an active collecting community of first edition Little Golden Books.
Make Way For Ducklings
Make Way For Ducklings

Collecting Little Golden Books (Krause Publications), by Steve Santi, is the authoritative price guide. Online auctions for first printings are especially competitive. High quality and high demand, coupled with very limited supply, begets high prices.

During the mid-forties to early-fifties, the American Library Association's Caldecott Awards continued adding to the credibility of illustrated picture books as an acceptable art form.

During that time, many prominent artists were either at the top of their craft or at the beginning of a lustrous career, and had won either a Caldecott Medal or Honor award.

These included such notables as Marcia Brown, Barbara Cooney, Roger Duvoisin, Margaret Bloy Graham, Berta and Elmer Hader, Robert Lawson, Robert McCloskey, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Leo Politi, Tasha Tudor, and Leonard Weisgard.

By 1955, such picture book classics as Thidwick, Ferdinand, Madeline, Make Way For Ducklings, The Little House, Curious George, and Eloise, had all been published.

Books For Babies To 3 Years 

My Potty Reward Stickers for Girls: 126 Girl Potty Training Stickers and Chart to Motivate Toilet Training by Tracy Foote

My Potty Reward Stickers for Girls: 126 Girl Potty Training Stickers and Chart to Motivate Toilet Training by Tracy Foote

Stimulating interest in children is key to potty t more...0 points

My Potty Reward Stickers for Boys: 126 Boy Potty Training Stickers and Chart to Motivate Toilet Training by Tracy Foote

My Potty Reward Stickers for Boys: 126 Boy Potty Training Stickers and Chart to Motivate Toilet Training by Tracy Foote

Stimulating interest in children is key to potty t more...0 points

What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg

What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg

From the authors of the 9.6-million-copy bestselli more...0 points

The Baby Knits Book: The Ultimate Collection of Knitwear Designs for Newborns to 3-Year-Olds by Debbie Bliss

The Baby Knits Book: The Ultimate Collection of Knitwear Designs for Newborns to 3-Year-Olds by Debbie Bliss

Best-selling author Debbie Bliss is back with a ne more...0 points

Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco: Two Polar Bears On A Mission To Save The Klondike Cafe! by Laurie Berkner

Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco: Two Polar Bears On A Mission To Save The Klondike Cafe! by Laurie Berkner

This road trip book, packaged with a CD for the ri more...0 points

Just For The Children! 

Kids Board Books 

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Childrens Books 

Childrens' Books with Cornerback Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Childrens' Books with Cornerback Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book

Amazon Price: $8.61 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $10.99

This delightful book about a caterpillar's metamorphosis to a butterfly never fails to enchant and amuse children. The tiny, ravenous caterpillar eats everything in its path from apples to cherry pie to prepare itself for the chrysalis stage, and afterward emerges as a beautiful butterfly. While kids are fascinated by the story and magical process of metamorphosis, from egg to butterfly, he/she also learns about numbers, counting, colors and the days of the week. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, the writing is full of fun.

I bought this book as a gift for a friend's two year-old, and it has become one of her favorites. The size is right also. It fits perfectly into her small hands. And Mom is thrilled with the book's educational value, as well as her daughter's giggle's as she rereads this wonderful tale.

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Early Readers 

In 1957, on the heels of Beginner Books' The Cat In The Hat, came Little Bear, the first of the "I Can Read" series of books, published by Harper & Brothers.

Written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by a then relatively unknown Maurice Sendak, the two collaborated on three other "I Can Read" books over the next three years.

From 1958 to 1960, Syd Hoff wrote and illustrated four "I Can Read" books: Danny And The Dinosaur, Sammy The Seal, Julius, and Oliver.

Each of these books is still in print today, and has served several generations of developing student readers.

By 1960, sixteen "I Can Read" books had been published by Harper & Brothers. The early success of the "I Can Read" books and the Beginner Books, both from a commercial and learn-to-read perspective, initiated the blurring between educational and entertainment books.

This phenomenon favorably impacted the consumer market for children's books. The economic forces that percolate early reader books to market became more formalized, forming a business infrastructure for the picture book industry.

As a result, more and more illustrators could begin to economically support themselves by illustrating children's picture books.

By the 1970s, printing technology had evolved so much that the illustrator became less and less involved with the printing process.

The advent of photography to create negatives for lithographic printing meant that the illustrator could focus on their medium of expression, rather than on the techniques necessary to get the image onto a press.

Today's illustrators do not have to be involved in the color separation process, although some choose to do so.

Childrens Books 4 to 8 years 

Hooked On Phonics: Learn to Read K-2nd Grade Deluxe Edition (Hooked on Phonics)

Hooked On Phonics: Learn to Read K-2nd Grade Deluxe Edition (Hooked on Phonics)

<b>Hooked on Phonics® Learn to Read</b more...0 points

What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg

What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg

From the authors of the 9.6-million-copy bestselli more...0 points

Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children by Sherrie Eldridge

Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children by Sherrie Eldridge

For adopted children, learning about their beginni more...0 points

 

More For The Kids

Best Childrens Books 

Trouble for the Berenstain Bears by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

Trouble for the Bere...

Day 176 G'day for reading by Manchester Library

Day 176 G'day for re...

Books, books, books, books, books, books, and books. by kennymatic

Books, books, books,...

Storybook Anytime by Mike Johnston

Storybook Anytime

androcles and the lion_0001 by kidlitartlover

androcles and the li...

androcles and the lion_0003 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0004 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0008 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0006 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0013 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0009 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0007 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0010 by kidlitartlover

androcles and the li...

androcles and the lion_0011 by kidlitartlover

androcles and the li...

androcles and the lion_0012 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0014 by kidlitartlover

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androcles and the lion_0002 by kidlitartlover

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the green sea by popofatticus

the green sea

Childrens Books Aged 4-8 yrs 

Learning To Read

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Guess How Much I Love You 

Guess How Much I Love You

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $6.99

There is a lot to like about this book. First of all, it has a very positive love message for fathers and sons, not all that common a theme in children's books. Secondly, the sort of "one-ups-man-ship" theme is on that naturally appeals to kids that age. The story itself is sweet without being cloying, and the illustrations are first rate.

A great book for older pre-schoolers. As has been noted in many previous reviews, reading the book seems to stimulate a "how much do you love me" game with the kids and parents who read the book a lot. Given that the desire to be loved is one key need at this age group, a book that stimulates you to talk and play with your child in a way that distinctly communicates your love for him/her has got to be a good thing.

This is one of those books your kid's will grow out of before you do-much to your sorrow.

I highly recommend it.

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Here Is A List Of "Important Childrens Books" 

* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1864) by Lewis Carroll: Early surrealism and children's novel as pleasurable and non-didactic.

* Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott.

* Max and Moritz (1865) by Wilhelm Busch.

* The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

* Pinocchio (1880) by Carlo Collodi.

* The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by L. Frank Baum, later expanded into a series of books which were tremendously popular in America during the first half of the twentieth century. One of the earliest fantasy books where children go to another world.

* The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) by Beatrix Potter. The first in her series of 23 animal stories, published in a miniature format.

* The Call of the Wild (1903) by Jack London: Inspired by the high adventure of the Yukon gold rush.

* Peter and Wendy (1911) by J. M. Barrie (better known as Peter Pan)

* Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928) by A. A. Milne.

* Little House In The Big Woods (1932) and sequels

* The Hobbit or There and Back Again (1937) by J. R. R. Tolkien: an early example of the modern lighthearted quest fantasy

* Le Petit Prince (1943, English The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

* Pippi Longstocking (1944) by Astrid Lindgren.

* The Chronicles Of Narnia (1949-1954) by C. S. Lewis

* The Cat in the Hat (1957) by Dr. Seuss: First high quality limited-vocabulary book, written for early readers

* Where the Wild Things Are (1964) by Maurice Sendak

* Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) by Roald Dahl

* A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) by Ursula K. Le Guin, and sequels broke ground for epic fantasy in several ways: the first book had a non-white hero, the later books explored the role of gender in fantasy and power, and the quest structure isn't good vs. evil but balance.

* Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret (1970) by Judy Blume, approached puberty more openly than children's books had in the past.

* Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling, and sequels; worldwide publishing phenomenon, one of the bestselling books of all times and one of the most widely translated works of literature. Worldwide popularity caused resurgence of interest in children's literature.

A Few More Kids Lenses 

Books about Babies 

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

<b>The astonishing, uplifting story of a rea more...0 points

How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by Charla Krupp

How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by Charla Krupp

Forget getting older gracefully--This is the beaut more...0 points

Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (Green This!) by Deirdre Imus

Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (Green This!) by Deirdre Imus

<b>The essential, parent-friendly guide to r more...0 points

Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden

Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden

Colorful pictures and simple rhyming texts help ch more...0 points

REMINDER

Please Buy Me A Book Mom!

Kids Books Ages 9 to 12 Years 

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The Mysterious Benedict Society 

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $17.99

I read to my two sons, age 8 and 9 every night. I was looking for something just a little bit different. Typically they like illustrations to flesh out the narrative, like in the Moomintroll books or Here Be Monsters. The Mysterious Benedict Society is not (alas!) profusely illustrated so when we started it they sort of passively lay back in their beds to listen. By about the 4th page they were sitting up and by the end of the first chapter they were draped over my shoulders reading the pages with me. This book is absolutely captivating for young kids! We would pause while reading to see if we could work out what would happen next or how a knotty problem was overcome; my sons were absorbecd from beginning to end. Children can easily see themselves as the protagonists amd they love to try to figure out the puzzles. Mr. Stewart wants you to try to solve the mysteries with his characters and his writing sparkles with wit and humor. I certainly hope he has more childrens' books for us in the future. Highly recommended!

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Lets Go Shopping! 

The Mr Men Books 

Mr. Men is a series of 52 (only 43 published in English) children's books by Roger Hargreaves started in 1971.

Little Miss was an accompanying series of 39 (only 30 published in English) books by the same author with female characters that started in 1981.

After Hargreaves' death in 1988, his son, Adam Hargreaves, began writing and illustrating new stories involving the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters, including the creation of ten new characters, four of which were inspired by work Roger Hargreaves had produced before his death.

* Mr. Bounce
* Mr. Brave
* Mr. Bump
* Mr. Busy
* Mr. Chatterbox
* Mr. Cheerful
* Mr. Clever
* Mr. Clumsy
* Mr. Daydream
* Mr. Dizzy
* Mr. Forgetful
* Mr. Funny
* Mr. Fussy
* Mr. Greedy
* Mr. Grumble
* Mr. Grumpy
* Mr. Happy
* Mr. Impossible
* Mr. Jelly
* Mr. Lazy
* Mr. Mean
* Mr. Messy
* Mr. Mischief
* Mr. Miserable (seen in book 'Mr. Happy')
* Mr. Nonsense
* Mr. Muddle
* Mr. Noisy
* Mr. Nosey
* Mr. Perfect
* Mr. Quiet
* Mr. Right (seen in book Mr. Wrong)
* Mr. Rush
* Mr. Silly
* Mr. Skinny
* Mr. Slow
* Mr. Small
* Mr. Sneeze
* Mr. Snow
* Mr. Strong
* Mr. Tall
* Mr. Tickle
* Mr. Topsy-Turvy
* Mr. Uppity
* Mr. Worry
* Mr. Wrong

Childrens Books 8 to 10 years 

Coolhead Luke: and Other Stories by Jennifer Lasker White

Coolhead Luke: and Other Stories by Jennifer Lasker White

Humorous poems and whimsical illustrations from th more...0 points

Doodlebops Count to 10!

Doodlebops Count to 10!

One Jazzmin, two drumsticks, three Doodlebops... c more...0 points

The Weekend Warrior: A Comprehensive Guide for Coaching 8 to 10 Year Olds by David Griffiths, Neville Southall, Mick Court

The Weekend Warrior: A Comprehensive Guide for Coaching 8 to 10 Year Olds by David Griffiths, Neville Southall, Mick Court

The methodology and ideology presented here will p more...0 points

1,000 Years Ago on Planet Earth by Sneed Collard

1,000 Years Ago on Planet Earth by Sneed Collard

At the dawn of the third millennium we know more a more...0 points

The History Of The Mr Men Books 

Mr. Tickle was the first Mr. Men character created by Hargreaves after his son, Adam, asked him what a tickle looked like: a round, orange figure with long, bendy arms.

Each book in the original Mr. Men and Little Miss series introduced a different title character and their single dominant trait in order to convey a double simple moral lesson.

The Mr. Men and Little Miss characters would frequently reappear in the later books of other characters.

The books' simple and silly stories, with bright-colored, boldly drawn illustrations, made them quite popular, with sales over 100 million worldwide in 22 languages.

In 2001, a competition was held in the Sunday Times for children to submit their own Mr. Men character, which was to be published in a limited edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series.

Mr. Cheeky by 8 year-old Gemma Almond was the winner, and her creation was then published and sold only in branches of W H Smith, with a portion of the proceeds going to a charity for children's leukemia.

In April 2004, Hargreaves' widow, Christine, sold the rights to the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters to the UK entertainment group, Chorion.

In 2006, to celebrate 35 years of Mr. Men (and 25 years of Little Miss) Mr. Birthday and Little Miss Birthday were published.

There was also an art exhibition at the Art Animation Gallery in Central London, and in October 2006, Adam Hargreaves created the first Little Miss character based on a real person; 'Little Miss Stella', based on Stella McCartney, appeared in a limited edition of 1000 books produced as fashion show invitations.

The Mr. Men characters have been adapted into four animated television series.

The first was produced in 1975, by Terry Ward's company Flicks Films formerly known as 101 Film Productions, with the voices and the narration provided by Arthur Lowe (better known for his role as Captain Mainwaring in the sitcom Dad's Army).

During 1983, a second series by Flicks Films featured the Little Miss characters, and was narrated by John Alderton and Pauline Collins.

The third series, Mr. Men and Little Miss, was produced in 1995 and aired on TV from 1995 to 1997. Most recen