13 Of Our Family's Favorite Books
Not a day goes by that my kids don't ask me to read to them. "Mama, when I get home from school today, can you read to us?" "Mama, can you read some books?" "Mama, can you read this book?" Admittedly, it wasn't until a couple months ago that I began to read to them regularly. After all, when you have four kids under 5 years, it can be daunting to get them sitting in one place for long enough to get out even just one word. I'm not going to pretend like it wasn't a rough start. Even still, my 5-month-old lasts for about one book, as she should (but then I just rotate her to her swing, play mat, etc. to keep her entertained). Now, my oldest three love to sit and listen to books, and I'm sure little sister will follow suit. "Oooooooo yeeeeeeey!" my 17-month-old exclaims when I tell them that they can go sit down and I'll read them some books. And if he doesn't think I've read enough books, he cries. If I read 10 books, he doesn't cry. If I read 5 books, he becomes a basket case.
Now, we have a little book corner where they can go to read their own books, or where I always sit and read to them... librarian style. Here's the thing about our books - most of the books below are reserved for when I [mommy] read them. My 4-year-old can be trusted to be careful, my 17-month old can be trusted to be gentle, but my 3-year-old.... not one page would be left unharmed. They have lots of books that are theirs to read at any time without my supervision, it just so happens that most of these books are not those. I've compiled a list (with pictures) of some of our favorites. Some of these are my favorite because of the message and values they teach. Some are the kids' favorites. Some teach about culture and heritage. Some are just simply fun. All of them are important to our family, and I hope you'll find some that you want to add to your own collection.
I know that we owned this book growing up, but it wasn't until I had babies of my own that I realized how sweet and nurturing it is. From a mommy holding her little baby, to holding her grown up man, this book shows the sweet affection that a mother has for her son. This was probably the very first favorite book that our kids had, and they would ask me to read it constantly. My favorite thing about this book is that it prepares them for me still holding, hugging, and loving on them even as they are adults (SPOILER ALERT: As creepy as it may be that the mother in the book would sneak in his window when he was asleep....). Oh, and I so very much love this book because they "read" it with me.
"Can you read the dragon book?" my 3-year-old asked me the other day. In this book, we see a dragon named Dex learn how to be gentle. It's one of many books by Cindy R. Lee that I'd recommend, but quite honestly, if I were to tell you all the books that I ever read to my kids, then you never would have opened this post up in the first place. If you're looking for more books with a Trust-Based Relational Intervention mindset, then check out the other books by Cindy R. Lee.
This book begins by talking about how special each child is, written from the perspective of a parent. The rest of the book essentially gives the message that no matter what is going on in your life, I love you, and I always will. It also briefly touches on the concept of heaven, and that families can one day be reunited together where there is no sadness, sickness, hunger, etc. It's a sweet book that I've caught my 4-year-old "reading" to her younger siblings.
I don't remember who first told me about this book, but at the time I was not a mother. I bought it with the intent of working professionally with children. This book tells the story of a boy who didn't quite understand the concept of personal space. He jumps on others, walks in between two people who are talking, and overall doesn't have an understanding of what appropriate boundaries look like. I love this book because it helps teach my kids about their own personal space. I use the same verbiage throughout our day. Across the room, I hear a scream from my 3-year-old. I ask her what she should say instead of screaming, and she says, "Please get out of my personal space." My oldest was entirely too close to someone in the mall today, and I was able to say to her, "You're in her personal space. Come over here." And she understood! I love that this books teaches respect for others.
Through story, this book touches on the consequences of behaviors. What if everyone left their coat on the floor when they got to school, instead of hanging it up? What if everyone went running through the grocery store? What if everyone interrupted during story time? What if everyone got up from the dinner table when the rest of the family was eating? This book makes room for discussion about what happens when we make poor choices. I don't pull this book out to read it as much as I should. It is great!
In a silly way, this book leads children along, asking them if they'd like to kiss an assortment of odd things such as a cactus, a skunk, and a mop. At the very end, the mom or dad asks if the child would kiss her or him. My kids always get up from where they are sitting, give me a kiss on the cheek, and I give them one back. It's a silly book that promotes affection between me and my kids.
This was the first book that my son really loved. He pats his head when the monkeys fall off, and shakes his finger when the doctor says that they can't jump on the bed anymore. Just the other day, my 4-year-old successfully went through the whole book, word-for-word. I was amazed. A year or so ago, my daughter had a little bump on her forehead when she got up from her nap, and I asked her what happened. She said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" It's another silly book, that does technically talk about the consequences of our actions.
Now, we have a little book corner where they can go to read their own books, or where I always sit and read to them... librarian style. Here's the thing about our books - most of the books below are reserved for when I [mommy] read them. My 4-year-old can be trusted to be careful, my 17-month old can be trusted to be gentle, but my 3-year-old.... not one page would be left unharmed. They have lots of books that are theirs to read at any time without my supervision, it just so happens that most of these books are not those. I've compiled a list (with pictures) of some of our favorites. Some of these are my favorite because of the message and values they teach. Some are the kids' favorites. Some teach about culture and heritage. Some are just simply fun. All of them are important to our family, and I hope you'll find some that you want to add to your own collection.
We ALL Love These Ones
I Love My Hair
This is the most recently added book, and definitely a favorite for all of us. The book talks about different ways that African American girls can wear their hair - from braids with beads, to an afro, to pigtails. My girls particularly love this book because they can identify their own hairstyles within its pages. I love this book because it teaches them that they are beautiful no matter how they wear their hair, and it is my hope that they will come to truly love their hair as they get older.
Love You Forever
I know that we owned this book growing up, but it wasn't until I had babies of my own that I realized how sweet and nurturing it is. From a mommy holding her little baby, to holding her grown up man, this book shows the sweet affection that a mother has for her son. This was probably the very first favorite book that our kids had, and they would ask me to read it constantly. My favorite thing about this book is that it prepares them for me still holding, hugging, and loving on them even as they are adults (SPOILER ALERT: As creepy as it may be that the mother in the book would sneak in his window when he was asleep....). Oh, and I so very much love this book because they "read" it with me. A Mother for Choco
It will never be a secret that my children are adopted. With adoption, comes a whole lot of conversations that no one is really ever prepared to have. Since my kids are still young, I love that this book begins to introduce the concept of adoption - you don't have to look just like your mommy or daddy to be their child. This book teaches that love goes beyond looks, and I also take a moment to ask them what mommies do, as I'm reading. They generally rattle off a whole lot of things about food, reading books, and giving hugs and kisses, and every once in a while they blow me away by saying something like "Mommies show us how to be kind." I love that this book gently opens the door for deeper conversations down the road. Oh, and the kids love it too!
It's Tough to Be Gentle
"Can you read the dragon book?" my 3-year-old asked me the other day. In this book, we see a dragon named Dex learn how to be gentle. It's one of many books by Cindy R. Lee that I'd recommend, but quite honestly, if I were to tell you all the books that I ever read to my kids, then you never would have opened this post up in the first place. If you're looking for more books with a Trust-Based Relational Intervention mindset, then check out the other books by Cindy R. Lee. Have You Filled A Bucket Today?
This was one of the first books I introduced to my kids, and they now refer to it as "the bucket one." Have you heard of the concept of a love bank or love tank? I'll try to explain briefly. We all carry within us, a need for love, and others can help fill our tank, bank, or bucket. In this book, children learn that when they do something kind for another person, they are filling that person's bucket. On the flip side, when they do something mean, they have not only dipped into that person's bucket, but they've also taken some happiness out of their own. It's an abstract concept that this book does a great job of articulating for such little people. So often when I correct my kids for something, they'll say "Ah man, I dipped in my bucket. Now I'm sad!" Obviously the concept is still a bit larger than what they can wrap their minds around, but it's a start!
Just In Case You Ever Wonder
This book begins by talking about how special each child is, written from the perspective of a parent. The rest of the book essentially gives the message that no matter what is going on in your life, I love you, and I always will. It also briefly touches on the concept of heaven, and that families can one day be reunited together where there is no sadness, sickness, hunger, etc. It's a sweet book that I've caught my 4-year-old "reading" to her younger siblings. Personal Space Camp
I don't remember who first told me about this book, but at the time I was not a mother. I bought it with the intent of working professionally with children. This book tells the story of a boy who didn't quite understand the concept of personal space. He jumps on others, walks in between two people who are talking, and overall doesn't have an understanding of what appropriate boundaries look like. I love this book because it helps teach my kids about their own personal space. I use the same verbiage throughout our day. Across the room, I hear a scream from my 3-year-old. I ask her what she should say instead of screaming, and she says, "Please get out of my personal space." My oldest was entirely too close to someone in the mall today, and I was able to say to her, "You're in her personal space. Come over here." And she understood! I love that this books teaches respect for others. Some of My Favorites
Happy Adoption Day!
We read this book to our kids the night before their adoption. It's catchy, it's simple, it's sweet, and it's full of bright colors. In an age-appropriate way it teaches them about adoption. Now, they chant along with me as we repeat lines throughout the book.
What If Everybody Did That?
Through story, this book touches on the consequences of behaviors. What if everyone left their coat on the floor when they got to school, instead of hanging it up? What if everyone went running through the grocery store? What if everyone interrupted during story time? What if everyone got up from the dinner table when the rest of the family was eating? This book makes room for discussion about what happens when we make poor choices. I don't pull this book out to read it as much as I should. It is great! A Few That They Love
I Got the Rhythm
Our kids love this book because it gets them moving. We clap, snap, shake, and sing to the rhythms within its pages. It's a light-hearted book with no moral value, but it does involve a child who looks like mine. If you read my last post, you know how important it can be to see and identify with someone who looks like you. For that reason, as well, I appreciate that my kiddos enjoy this book. BONUS: Look at my son's chubby little hand in the picture!
How About a Kiss for Me?
In a silly way, this book leads children along, asking them if they'd like to kiss an assortment of odd things such as a cactus, a skunk, and a mop. At the very end, the mom or dad asks if the child would kiss her or him. My kids always get up from where they are sitting, give me a kiss on the cheek, and I give them one back. It's a silly book that promotes affection between me and my kids.Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed
Brontorina
Finally, here's a story that incorporates my son's favorite thing (dinosaurs) and one of my daughters' favorite things (dance). It's just that - a story. A story of a dinosaur who just wanted to dance!
One of the best things I've done is read to my kids. It fills their buckets (see above), and fills mine too. It provides us with the opportunity to spend time together, while giving them an educational experience. As I mentioned above, there are so many other great books that we own, but I had to really limit myself here!
What are some of your favorites?
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