Wayside School Box Set (Louis Sachar): the Funniest “One More Chapter” Read-Aloud

These books are wonderfully wrong in the best way. 

Four book box set, illustrated by Tim Heitz

Short chapters. 

Big laughs. 

And that strange Wayside logic that makes kids ask for “just one more” even when they’re tired.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Best Illustrated Edition (Michael Hague) + What Parents Should Know

Some children's books simply amaze me.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle
illustrated by Michael Hague

Doctor Dolittle was supposed to be “too old” and “too wordy.” 

Then we found the right edition and suddenly it felt like an adventure serial you can’t stop reading.

You know that glorious feeling when you unexpectedly come across a wonderful example of children's literature?

A book that expands your horizons.

Take, for example, The Story of Doctor Dolittle that was published back in 1920.

Andrew Henry’s Meadow (Doris Burn): The Picture Book That Makes Kids Want to Build Things

What a picture book!

This is the kind of story that makes children look around the room differently - as if every chair, box, and string is suddenly a building material.

Wow!

Read Aloud Dad was floored after reading this one.

Best Illustrated Pippi Longstocking Treasury (Astrid Lindgren): The 3-in-1 That’s Still Hilarious

You must not make the classic mistake of dismissing the obvious. Pippi is the obvious. And this 3-in-1 treasury is the edition that finally makes you understand why people never stop recommending her.

Please don't postpone the best for last.

Seize gold when you see it! 

The(are no) Bears on Hemlock Mountain: Short, Tense, Perfect for a Winter Night

Some books are simply unforgettable experiences for our boys and girls.

This is a fantastic moody thriller that builds suspense gradually, but never goes too fast or too far. 

Cover of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
written by Alice Dalgliesh, 
illustrated Newbery Honor edition

Yes, many children's books may be guilty of being simply to hard to follow or being too boring.

Double Trouble in Walla Walla: The Tongue-Twister Read-Aloud That Broke My Brain (in a Good Way)

Howdy dowdy my friends!

You are about to learn about a hilarious book full of pure unadulterated fun.

Fun that you can have with words!

But before I tell you about it, I have something to admit.

Best Illustrated Christmas Themed Book Set: A Carol, a Miracle, and the Magi

This is the Christmas book collection that best captures the Christmas spirit in our library.

I mean the true spirit of Christmas. 

The true resilience of the human spirit, hiding behind the commercial facade of Christmas that we mostly see today. 

Why Kids Are 100% Right To Shun Newbery and Caldecott Award Books

photo by cogdogblog

Where does one start in the world of children's books?

There are so many choices today.

Different genres and sub-genres.

Original stories and spin-offs ... and spin-offs of spin-offs.

Books for different age groups. Classics. Modern stories.

Are all children's books good read-alouds? If not, how do you find out which are the good ones?

Should you read classics? Should you read graphic novels?

It is one thing to read silently for yourself, but it is a completely different game to read a children's book aloud. Especially when you have a pair of loving eyes watching your every move or when that pair of eyes is restless and watching everything else except your moves.

There are a couple of important things that you must know.

Reading “The Little House” Today: Change, Place, and a Perfect Out-Loud Rhythm

A middle-aged man is seated at his desk, working alone in his office.

The phone rings.

A four-year old boy is on the line.

Officer Buckle and Gloria (Peggy Rathmann): Caldecott Medal Read-Aloud That Makes Kids Roar

This is the safety talk kids actually want. Not because of the tips, but because of Gloria.

Read it aloud once and you’ll hear the giggles arrive right on schedule… and then the listening happens.

Wee Gillis from NYRB Kids: the surprise Caldecott Honor that beat my expectations

Kindly look at this book cover and ... take a deeeeep breath.

Seriously.

What is your first impression of Wee Gillis?

Your first impression, just from looking at the red-green cover to the right.

Let me read your thoughts. Hmmm. I know, you think this book is ...

But wait - before I tell you what is on your mind - let me make a teeny weeny admission.

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels: The Best Modern Illustrated Children's Edition

Do you remember reading Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels?

One of the greatest fantasy adventures, full of strange people and quirky places. 

That's the one!

I knew that we had to include this children's classic in our home library.

Best Illustrated, Unabridged Pinocchio: Why I Chose Roberto Innocenti's Edition

Cover of The Adventures of Pinocchio
by Carlo Collodi and Roberto Innocenti
Creative Editions illustrated hardcover edition
set in a snowy Tuscan village
classic story retold through art

Surprise, surprise.

You decide to search for the best unabridged and illustrated (non-Disney) version of Carlo Collodi's classic The Adventures of Pinocchio.

How difficult can it be? I mean, its Pinocchio!

How much time do you need to find a great edition of the puppet boy?  Five minutes? Thirty minutes? Five hours?

Make Way For Ducklings

Mr. and Mrs Mallard were looking for a place to live. 

Yes, I know its a classic.

Yes, I know it is the Caldecott Medal winner as "The most distinguished American picture book for children in the year of its publication" (1941).

Yes, I know its a Robert McCloskey book with his quintessential illustrations.

Yes, I know it has already been a favourite around the globe for many generations.
  

                         

But still, I was interested how would this 70-year old black and white favourite fare in the eyes of my three-year old twins.

They had seen many colourful and flashy children's books prior to getting to know the elegant pair of ducks - the Mallards. What would they think of it?