I am an unapologetic book nerd and it started early so I blame my parents. It’s just what happens when your mom is a librarian. I love to give children’s books as gifts. Kids love to have books read aloud to them. Find me one who hates cuddling up in your lap to read their favorite book over and over again. Every book is an opportunity to strengthen a bond, learn a lesson, inspire confidence and delight a child.
Children’s books really stick with you. I’ve shared a few of my favorites from my childhood. With all of the unique and creative options available, there has to be a perfect book for every child. I found a few that are new to me and I’ll probably be purchasing some for my niece and nephew. I like to give children’s books as baby shower gifts too. It’s never too early to start building your library.
Shannon’s Childhood Favorites
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is one of my all-time favorite children’s books. What’s not to love about a smart, brave, bold princess who can outsmart a dragon and walk away from a shallow relationship. This one will always be at the top of my list.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey is a family favorite. It’s a sweet simple story and is beautifully illustrated.
Promising New Finds
Patricia Polacco, Author & Illustrator – I came across this author when looking for books about Easter. Rechenka’s Eggs fell into that search and when I started looking at her other work I knew I had to share more. The stories are personal and offer unique cultural insights. Maybe I’m just not reading enough children’s books these days, but the illustrations are like nothing I’ve ever seen. They are beautiful and have a realness that makes the stories so accessible. She seems to have a book to assuage every fear and insecurity that a child could have. These are just three of her many works.
Kim Smith, Illustrator – Over the last couple of years, Kim Smith has taken movies and shows from the ’80s and ’90s and turned them into children’s picture books. If you buy these, you should go into it knowing that you are buying them more for yourself than your kid. Her illustrations are great and I think the younger kiddos will love them. More than the books themselves, I think you’ll enjoy telling your little ones about when you were young.
- The X Files: Earth Children Are Weird
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Back to the Future
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- The Karate Kid
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Image by PublicDomainArchive from Pixabay