Five modern classics young children will delight in reading over and over again! Local Bibliophile, and KC Parent Blogger, Sarah Marie Diddle shares five fave reads full of imagination, whimsy, and fun!
Press Here by Hervé Tullet
I cannot sing this book’s praises enough! Following simple instructions on each page (For example: Tap the dot once.) causes something special to happen when you turn the page. It’s the winner of the 2012 Missouri Building Block award and is fantastic for teaching young ones how to follow directions. Lots of page turning, but there’s only one line per page so it’s fantastic for new readers and small attention spans.
- Not gender specific.
- Geared toward the under 4-5yrs crowd but fun for parents too!
- Watch YouTube Preview of Press Here
Waking Beauty by Leah Wilcox
With retellings of fairy tales so popular I can’t leave out this book. At first glance it seems too girly for your little man...but in this retelling of Sleeping Beauty the story focuses on the Prince and his crazy, numerous, and disastrous attempts to wake up the Princess. The 3 good fairies (you’ll remember them from the Disney movie) are trying to tell him to wake her with a kiss but he keeps interrupting! They finally get a word in edgewise and his first response is EWWWW!
- Looks girly, but boys will love it too!
Cupcake by Charise Mercile Harper
One of my all time favorite books I discovered last summer. Cupcake is about a plain vanilla cupcake who’s sad to see that all her brothers and sisters were eaten and she was left behind. Life’s better if you don’t think too much about the fact that she Wants to be eaten. She meets a new friend, Candle, who has some creative ideas about how to decorate herself…silly examples include using a baked potato as a topping.
- Glitter on the cover, but boys will laugh and enjoy the story!
- A good book for a big sibling to read to a little one!
Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A new discovery of mine and one I recommend as often as possible! Chopsticks do everything together, but what happens when one is injured while practicing ninja moves on an asparagus and has to rest? Well, we learn about friendship, pushing past our fears, and laugh at Many puns while the chopsticks learn the importance of standing on your own – and sticking together.
- Great for girls, boys, and parents!
Rhyming Dustbunnies by Jan Thomas
This book has been on my favorites list for the last 4 years. In it we meet: Ned, Ted, Ed, and Bob. Their favorite thing to do is rhyme…but Bob doesn’t seem to quite understand the concept. It isn’t until the end that the rhyming trio realizes Bob is trying to warn them of impending danger! Check out this book to find out what happens and to work on basic reading skills.
- A book to giggle over with boys and girls.
Sarah Marie Diddle shares her life-long passion for reading with children as she works at a local library.