Your time investment spent reading to your children will have enormous returns. Choose high quality literature and bedtime can become a magical, relationship building adventure. Don't stop reading to your children once they start school and can read themselves, just change which books you are reading. Great chapter books read aloud are captivating and you can always read aloud books at a higher level than they can read themselves. Here are some of our favorite books.
Where Did My Sweet Grandma Go?: A Preschooler's Guide to Losing a Loved One
Death of a grandparent is hard for young children to understand. This is an excellent picture book to address this topic. There is also a companion book called Where Did Sweet Grandpa Go?
Thank you, Mr. Falker
"Patricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha's dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we." (from book description)
The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
This is an incredible, tear-jerking, true story about the author Patricia Polacco's 5th grade year. After being labeled and teased for not being able to read due to dyslexia, she went to live with her father and go to a new school. In her new school she was put in a classroom of misfits called the Junkyard. However, it was in this classroom with her wonderful teacher, that she learns the true meaning of genius and how special and brilliant each of her classmates are. This is the sequel to her book, Thank You, Mr. Falker.
Andrew Henry's Meadow
Andrew Henry's Meadow has been one of our family's favorite books and was one of my childhood favorites as well. Andrew Henry was a middle child who loved to build things. His family didn't appreciate his creations, so Andrew Henry built himself a house in a meadow. One by one, other children arrived asking Andrew Henry to build them a special house based on their interests. My children loved to see what Andrew Henry built and talked about the kind of house THEY would build. In the end, all the families find the missing children and Andrew Henry's family started to embrace his gifts and talents. Disclosure: This was first published in 1965 so does have gender stereotypes from that era. Andrew Henry also makes a pipe filler for his father as was common then. However, I hope you can see past those issues and create conversation about your child's dreams and passions.
If You're a Bear by Janice May Udry
The boy tells various animals that they are not supposed to do something, but the animal replies that it is okay for them because they are a ______. However the last part of the book is reversed. The animals remark about all the things they can't do like he can. Written 50 years ago, but you can find used copies.
Gregory The Noisiest and Strongest Boy in Grangers Grove by Robert Bright
Gregory likes to show how strong he is, but doesn't stop to listen which results in numerous missteps. This was one of my favorite childhood books and it has been loved by my children as well. It is out of print, but easy to find on the used book market.
What the Good Man Does is Always Right by Hans Christian Andersen
Out of print, so you have to find used copies. The illustrations are not that engaging, but the story is comedic. The husband sets out on a journey to sell their horse to buy something more useful. He goes through a series of exchanges, each exchange coming out on the lesser end of the deal while remaining positive and content with each exchange. The ending is a funny twist when he brings home his final trade, a bag of rotten apples.
Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham
Fun book for younger children. One by one animals ask if they can join Mr. Gumpy for a boat ride. He agrees, but gives them a warning to behave. All goes along well until the goat kicked... What I love about this story is how the natural consequence of getting wet happens when the boat tips, but Mr. Gumpy doesn't harp on them; instead he mentions it is time for tea. Note that it is Mr. Gumpy, not Mr. Grumpy) Over the years I have purchased many discarded library books. Many libraries sell books they no longer want in the library very inexpensively.
I'd Choose You by John Trent
This cute picture book shows the mother giving her child the 5 elements of the blessing. Here is the books description. "
Everyone knows what it’s like to have a bad day. And when Norbert comes home from school, he has had a really bad day. As he and his mother talk through the day's mishaps, she gently imparts The Blessing on him through spoken word, meaningful touch, attachment of high value, portraying a special future, and genuine commitment.
By the end of the book, Norbert knows he is loved, and that even if he wasn’t the first pick for the team, he will always be chosen by his parents . . . and by God."
The Treasure Tree: Helping kids understand their personality by Smalley and Trent
All my kids have loved this longer picture book with each of the four personalities represented by an animal, an otter, a beaver, a lion and a golden retriever. It helps us understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of each personality.