And treasuries? They simply scream "value for money" in your face!
Finally - non-fiction books are such an important staple of a good education and read-aloud sessions, that you can never read too many of them.
So, I am happy to present you with the latest data on which chapter, treasury and non-fiction children's books were most popular among Read Aloud Dad readers the last quarter of 2011.
This is your list not mine.
The list was compiled based on book orders made through affiliate links on ReadAloudDad.com in the previous quarter (October, November and December 2011).
You can also check out the list of the bestselling children's (Picture and Board) books in Q4 2011
You can also find all my older bestseller lists compiled in one place.
You can also find all my older bestseller lists compiled in one place.
TOP 10 CHAPTER BOOKS AND TREASURIES in Q4 2011
Ah yes! Picture books are fabulous, chapter books are even 'fabulouser'. (well, OK, both are great - I admit)
The latest Top 10 list is topped by Palmer Brown's incredible story of Anna Lavinia and her adventures. But let us go straight to the list.
1. Beyond The Pawpaw Trees
by Palmer Brown
This book was unexpectedly cool. Fantasy + adventure + thriller + rich vocabulary = cool read aloud.
Read Dad's review
2. The Adventures of Pinocchio
by Carlo Collodi, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti
by Carlo Collodi, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti
Disney is great, but we always look for original unabridged books for our read- aloud sessions. My favorite illustrated edition of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio is the one illustrated by artist Roberto Innocenti. Have a blast with this masterpiece! Simply unmissable!
Read Dad's review
3. A Treasury of Curious George
If I haven't read this book a million times... and then more. And I still enjoy it! Note: These are not the original Rey stories, but they are illustrated completely in their style. A must for any kid.
You can find more about this book in one of Dad's reviews
4. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
by Ingri d'Aulaire, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
Although I have not reviewed this gem yet, we do have it at home. It is spectacular!
5. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carrol
We read it for the first time last month.
Wow, my kids were bowled over by the playfulness of L. Carrol's exuberant language!
Wow, my kids were bowled over by the playfulness of L. Carrol's exuberant language!
6. Lizard Music
by Daniel Pinkwater
One of the few NYR Children's Collection books that we do not have. But it has such glowing reviews that I simply do not know what to do. Have you read it? Please tell me!
7. Jonathan Swift's Guliver
by Jonathan Swift (Author), Martin Jenkins (Editor), Chris Riddell (Illustrator)
Simply the best illustrated version of this classic! Makes it much more attractive for kids.
Read Dad's review
8. Party Shoes
by Noel Streatfeild (Author)
Why do I have a feeling that my little girl will adore this book when she is a bit older?
Read Dad's review of the Oxford Classics Children's Collection
9. Wonderstruck
by Brian Selznick
You will be Wonderstruck! What an original book!
10. Pollyanna
by Eleanor Porter (Author)
I started reading this book for my own pleasure. It is indeed beautiful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP 10 NON-FICTION BOOKS in Q4 2011
Don't forget your non-fiction, if you love fiction - and vice-versa! I may be guilty of reading a lot more fiction than non-fiction, so this list always gives me great ideas to expand our reading and our home library.
1. WordPlay Cafe: Cool Codes, Priceless Punzles & Phantastic Phonetec Phun
by Michael Kline (Author, Illustrator)
Hey, what a fun looking book! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I would never have come across it.
2. Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
by by William Kilpatrick, Gregory Wolfe, Suzanne M. WolfeWe have and love this book.
It contains great children's book tips and is a very interesting read for parents.
3. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow
by Joyce Sidman (Author), Beth Krommes (Illustrator)
This one seems entrancing and hypnotic. Have you read it? Do tell me. Poetry riddles and science wisdom. (not sure if this is strictly non-fiction)
4. Made to Play!: Handmade Toys and Crafts for Growing Imaginations
This seems to be a book full of exciting hands on projects to experience with your kids!
5. Vincent van Gogh & the Colors of the Wind
by Chiara Lossani (Author), Octavia Monaco (Illustrator)
Great book about the great man himself + 14 reproductions of Vincent van Gogh's own paintings.
6. Painless Grammar
by Rebecca Elliott Ph.D. (Author)
This book looks so promising, inviting and cool. Grammar = cool? Can it be possible?
7. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature
by Joyce Sidman (Author), Beth Krommes (Illustrator)
Celebrate the natural world that surrounds us with this gorgeous book.
8. Seven Brave Women
by Betsy Hearne (Author), Bethanne Andersen (Illustrator)
A personal recollection of stories about seven generations of women from one family and the mark they left in their times and beyond.
9. If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?
You are right. This is not strictly non-fiction - but then it is. It is a fabulous read-aloud and a great way to open up the channels of conversation with your kid. Unmissable.
10. Everyone Poops (My Body Science Series)
by Taro Gomi (Author), Amanda Mayer Stinchecum (Illustrator)
The third and last list that will follow in a week or so is the list of bestselling Children's Book Sets and 'Other Book Formats' in Q4 2011.
Until then .... happy reading!
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You have a lovely list. An error: the list has Palmer Brown as the author of Wonderstuck when Wonderstruck was written by the same author as HUGO...Brian Selznick
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for noticing (and telling me) Kim!
ReplyDeleteI corrected it immediately, you are right - Wonderstruck was authored by Brian Selznick - of Hugo Cabret fame!
I really appreciate your help!
Read Aloud Dad
Re: @0ea829c80df6bdb672942823ec89db4b
Thanks for the great list! Some are already among my favorites, but some I'm going to have to check out. I love discovering new books!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way to compile a 'best of' list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this list. So happy you included Pollyanna, one of my all time favourites. I have played the glad game ever since I read it as a child.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra!
ReplyDeleteI am very very happy that your smashing 'If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?' made it on the list!
It is fabulous to discover new books - as you said! I hope that many more readers discover your captivating and important books - they are a prized treasure in our collection! Excellent choice for reading aloud and talking with kids!
Let me include a link to them, for all those who wish to may wish to preview them: http://amzn.to/ytNOy9
Learn more about Sandra and her fabulous publications that will help to improve parent-child communication in any home at:
http://www.kidscandoit.com/ Sandra, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment :-)
Read Aloud Dad
Re: sandra305
I love what you're doing and I post all your posts on my FB Fan Page--may 2012 be your best year yet! Sandy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kidscandoit.com
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! Yes, it is fun to find out what readers /really/ buy! It is so much fun for me as well - and I get some great book recommendations from my readers - like you!
Loved your fabulous post on how to get kids reading at: http://staceyloscalzo.com/2012/01/get-them-reading/
One of the most important messages for all parents is: "Children’s listening comprehension and reading comprehension do not converge until the 8th grade. Therefore, you are able to read books to them that they are not yet able to read to themselves!" Extremely important indeed!
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Read Aloud Dad
Re: Stacey Loscalzo
Hi Darlene,
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure entirely. In fact, I thank wholeheartedly all the blog readers who purchased a book or more via affiliate links on this site.
This enabled me to compile this list of bestselling books - that was extremely interesting for me as well!
What a great selection :-)
Pollyanna is such an easy read and great story, I'm enjoying it immensely!
Read Aloud Dad
Re: @8310eb5503078d5f7dcae477607de4bd
The D'Aulaires Book of Greek Mythology is GREAT! It sets them up to enjoy mythology that is typically a 4th and 7th grade unit at school (I maybe off by a year) and also gives the backstory to the Percy Jackson series. If they are really into it, there is the National Mythology exam.
ReplyDeleteWe were also a huge fan of Everyone Poops!
Hi PragmaticMom,
ReplyDeleteAhhh... yes! Finally someone mentions the D'Aulaires Book of Greek Mythology on my blog - and I am happy that it is you!
What a smashing book, isn't it? Opens up a whole new universe for kids!
That is great advice (to follow it up with the Percy Jackson series), excellent idea.
I haven't read Everyone Poops - but it has such smashing reviews. We must check it out.
Read Aloud Dad
Re: @cf267388b96ebf83b9500247f140218b
My kids are entertained and creative with their quickies!! At first they annoyed me when the grandparents gave them to my kids for Christmas, but once I found a big baggie to contain them and my kids actually played nicely with them I decided they weren't so bad after all. I have to admit I still haven't figured out why they all have this plastic ball to go in--just the quickies themselves will do, they don't need a plastic ball to live in. MyKidsGuide
ReplyDeleteUseful information ..I am very happy to read this article..thanks for giving
ReplyDeleteus this useful information. Fantastic walk-through. I appreciate this post.