In honor of Children's book week, it seems only appropriate to call attention to the best children's books from the past forty years. Children literature is amazingly ripe with wonderful story and artwork. It's not easy to write a children's book. It takes imagination, wonderment and talent to make the book flow with ease. It's also important to remember that children's authors have learned over time that talking down to their audience is a big no-no. Children intuitively know when they are bing treated like mindless beings. Remember a book can stay in a heart for a lifetime or ti can be fleeting like yesterday's news. Below are the baker's dozen of books that have touched and stayed ion children's book shelves for what seems like eternity. Quite frankly, that is as it should be.
13. Giraffe Can't Dance Giles Andreae Not quite the book of all times yet. Since it was just published a few years ago. However, it will stand the test of time because of it's timeless message of perseverance and success.
12. Jumanji Chris Van Allsburg Wonderful pictures that come alive and make the story so memorable. If readers like Polar Express, they will love Jumanji.
11. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Bill Martin Jr. The classic ABC tale will have toddlers learning their alphabet with rhythmic ease. Not only that, they want to hear it over and over land over again. A true sign that it's a classic.
10. I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch Sweetest story of a mother and son 's bond that has ever been written. Children will love this tale more as they grow older. Which is why it's has lasting value. As adults, this story still resinates.
9. Where The Wild things Are? Maurice Sendak Children love this story because as everyone knows, monsters are just wild things who love to follow a king. When one is king, there is nothing to to fear ... not even monsters.
8. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Jon Scieszka The classic tale of the Big Bad World an dthe Three little pigs is wonderfully comical. Scieszka teaches children that there is always another side of the story. Who could ever believe that the Big Bad Wolf really had innocent intentions when visiting the three pigs? Well, read the book once and it will soon become a classic standby or bedtime.
7. Ain't Gonna Paint No More! Karen Beaumont This little mischief maker with lots of time and paint on her hands. It's a delightful book with sing song rhythm that is fun. Make it more interesting by with imaginary paint brushes. Children will paint along with the charming heroine, which makes them giggle every single time. Great Book!
6. Good Night Moon! Margaret Wise Brown This book is still a wonderful way to end the day. Children all snuggled in their beds and reading along with mom or dad quietly saying goodnight to everything and everyone in their room. It doesn't get old or any better than this. Ms. Brown will always be the "queen" of children literature.
5.Clown of God Tomie dePaola This is a Christmas tale but for some stubborn librarians, they will read it all year round. Why? The message is simple and powerful. Both children and reminder benefit from hearing the message anytime during the year.
4. Snowy Day Ezra Keats This book is celebrated as one of the first books to feature an African American boy as the main character. What it really should be celebrated is that it crossed the boundaries of understanding for everyone. The story is about the simple joy of a snowy day with so much possibilities at hand. Everyone has experienced that joy at least once in their childhood.
3. Cat in the Hat Dr. Suess The book that started it all for Dr. Suess and it still is a favorite. The Cat in the Hat can make a rainy day exciting for two homebound kids. Is there any better story to read on a rainy day?
2. Knuffle Bunny Mo Willhems Another book that is rather new but will be a classic. Especially since it is a "trilogy". The art work with cartoon characters with New York City photos as backdrop is brilliant and fun! Get ready for a chase through the New York neighborhood to find Knuffle Bunny.
1. Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle One of the best children book that incorporates learning, art and fun. It blends it all so beautifully that it's no wonder that children go back to it year after year after year. Simply the best.
Showing posts with label True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Friday, April 1, 2011
Humor in Children's Books: Laugh Out Loud Favorites
Most of the reluctant readers that come into the Youth Services area of the library tend to sing the same song: Books are not fun! Whenever that song starts coming out of a child's mouth, it's time for an intervention. What these lost readers need are books that will capture their imagination as well make them smile. Not all authors can pull off humor effectively but those who do will hook the reader in by the first page. There are many types of humor, such as sarcastic, slapstick and silly. Humor in books is a perfect genre to demonstrate that reading can be fun. Contrary to popular belief, humor in children's literature does not begin in chapter books. Over the years many authors have cleverly used humor, in words and illustrations, to entertain their readers. If the funny bone is tickled, chances are the reader will move from reluctant to reaching for another book.
There are very good picture books to introduce to children who are learning to read but find it a tedious task. Doreen Cromin's Click Clack Moo i, a tale of labor negotiations between Farmer Brown and the striking cows, has become a story time favorite. Children giggle as the frustrated farmer tries to come a "reasonable" solutions with his very literate cows. All ends well, until the ducks decides to make demands too! Another picture book whose star is a literate cow is Adventures of Cow. marshall Taylor uses a play on words and humorous pictures to tell the tale of how Cow gets lost and finds his way home. The sequel to this title is Adventures of Cow, Too.. Both books are well worth the time to read and share. Even with older children who love a good laugh and will catch the play on words.
A different take on a well known fairy tale will have children rolling on the floor. This book has been around for a while, but it is a testament to it's ageless appeal. Jon Sciexka's True Story of he 3 Little Pigs is told by the Wolf himself who defends his actions of blowing down the pigs' houses. He's been framed. The unique few point allows the reader to wonder if indeed the poor wolf has been wrongly accused and misunderstood. More often then not, no matter how sly and silly the wolf is in telling his side, the little pigs still win the verdict.
To chase away the monster fears which plague many small children, Sean Taylor uses humor in When A Monster is Born. This bright, hilarious look at the monster world will have children begging for the kind of monster who lives under their bed. Who couldn't love a monster who goes to school, eats the principal and falls in love. This book is wonderful for story time because the refrain "That's that" encourages the kids to join in the fun.
17 Things I Am Not Allowed to do Anymore is Jenny Offil's tribute to a little girl who just can't stay out of trouble. This book is not for the faint hearted. Some of the heroine's brilliant ideas are absolutely hilarious. However, little minds who are seeking inspiration may get ideas about flies in ice cubes, stapling siblings' hair to a pillow or gluing slippers on the floor to keep them in place. Sure they are all innocent and seem like a good idea at the time, but actions have consequences. This is a wonderful laugh out loud book that parents will enjoy reading with their kids. However, before opening up the book, they may want to warn their audience to not try this at home.
Reading does not have to be a serious task. Moving children from the reluctant to the reaching for new book category can be as simple as using the "laugh" factor. Let's face it, no one likes doing things they do not enjoy. Children are no different. Discover what "quacks" up the reluctant reader in your life and watch their attitude change when it comes to reading.
There are very good picture books to introduce to children who are learning to read but find it a tedious task. Doreen Cromin's Click Clack Moo i, a tale of labor negotiations between Farmer Brown and the striking cows, has become a story time favorite. Children giggle as the frustrated farmer tries to come a "reasonable" solutions with his very literate cows. All ends well, until the ducks decides to make demands too! Another picture book whose star is a literate cow is Adventures of Cow. marshall Taylor uses a play on words and humorous pictures to tell the tale of how Cow gets lost and finds his way home. The sequel to this title is Adventures of Cow, Too.. Both books are well worth the time to read and share. Even with older children who love a good laugh and will catch the play on words.
A different take on a well known fairy tale will have children rolling on the floor. This book has been around for a while, but it is a testament to it's ageless appeal. Jon Sciexka's True Story of he 3 Little Pigs is told by the Wolf himself who defends his actions of blowing down the pigs' houses. He's been framed. The unique few point allows the reader to wonder if indeed the poor wolf has been wrongly accused and misunderstood. More often then not, no matter how sly and silly the wolf is in telling his side, the little pigs still win the verdict.
To chase away the monster fears which plague many small children, Sean Taylor uses humor in When A Monster is Born. This bright, hilarious look at the monster world will have children begging for the kind of monster who lives under their bed. Who couldn't love a monster who goes to school, eats the principal and falls in love. This book is wonderful for story time because the refrain "That's that" encourages the kids to join in the fun.
17 Things I Am Not Allowed to do Anymore is Jenny Offil's tribute to a little girl who just can't stay out of trouble. This book is not for the faint hearted. Some of the heroine's brilliant ideas are absolutely hilarious. However, little minds who are seeking inspiration may get ideas about flies in ice cubes, stapling siblings' hair to a pillow or gluing slippers on the floor to keep them in place. Sure they are all innocent and seem like a good idea at the time, but actions have consequences. This is a wonderful laugh out loud book that parents will enjoy reading with their kids. However, before opening up the book, they may want to warn their audience to not try this at home.
Reading does not have to be a serious task. Moving children from the reluctant to the reaching for new book category can be as simple as using the "laugh" factor. Let's face it, no one likes doing things they do not enjoy. Children are no different. Discover what "quacks" up the reluctant reader in your life and watch their attitude change when it comes to reading.
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