In the same way they’ve helped me, books have been a way to give my kids some normalcy in a very not normal time. I’m so thankful that Jona and Violet love stories, because I love reading to them. Jona can act uninterested (because he is a very grown up six-year-old), and Violet can be throwing a fit (because she’s three), but if I sit down with a book they will both eventually sit right down with me.
Here are a few books all of us have enjoyed lately.
Eat Pete by Michael Rex. A monster shows up in Pete’s room, and Pete can’t wait to play with him. But the monster has other ideas… This was a favorite for Violet and she loved repeating “Eat Pete!” throughout.
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. Penelope Rex can’t wait to start school, but she’s surprised to learn that her classmates are children, and well, she thinks children are delicious! We had this library book for over three months, and the kids never tired of it, and surprisingly, neither did I.
Lola Dutch by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright. Lola Dutch, with her big ideas, can sometimes be a little much. This was another one that Violet in particular loved–maybe because she can be a little much herself.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. A cap salesman takes a nap under a tree, and some naughty monkeys have some fun at his expense. This is a classic that I remember reading as a child, and I was so happy that both my kids loved it. For a while Violet wanted to read it every day.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. Taylor builds a tower, but it gets knocked down. All the animals try to help Taylor, but it’s only the quiet rabbit, who lends a listening ear, who can. This was the sweetest story, and one I think adults and kids can benefit from reading. Especially right now.
A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo. We love the early chapter books about Mercy, and this is her origin story–in picture book form. Violet especially loved this one, and I can’t wait to introduce her to the series.
The Forgetful Knight by Michelle Robinson. This is the story of a brave knight and his sidekick. Well, maybe. The narrator can’t seem to remember. Both kids thought this was hilarious.
Islandborn by Junot Diaz. Lola’s teacher gives an assignment to draw the place where you were born, but Lola can’t remember the Island, where she’s from. With some help from family and neighbors, she’s able to revisit her birthplace in her mind. This one was a little long for Violet’s attention span, but Jona and I both loved this one.
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French. Wombats mostly sleep and eat all day, but sometimes they get into some mischief. We got this book for Australia day for Global Children’s Book Club, and we all loved it.
Dandy by Ame Dyckman. Daddy likes to keep his lawn looking nice, so when his daughter Sweetie finds a dandelion and names her Charlotte, he’s determined to do what he has to do. This was such a sweet, funny book about a father’s love for his daughter.
Have you read anything good with your kids lately?
