"Classic" Children's Novels I Recommend To Patrons and Friends
All of A Kind Family
by Sydney Taylor
First in a series about 5 little girls growing up at the turn of the century on the Lower East Side of New York. I learned a lot about Jewish culture from these books, but above all they're great family stories.
Anne of Green Gables
and all other books by L.M. Montgomery
They are aimed at children, but the picture of life in turn of the century Prince Edward Island is a delight for adults!
Ballet Shoes
by Noel Streatfield
Very English and very charming.
Betsy-Tacy
First of the series, by Maud Hart Lovelace
My older daughter(10) loves these too.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
First in the series by Hugh Lofting.
Don't settle for the movie messes made of these wonderful books!
Heidi
by Johanna Sypri
This is not that easy for a kid to read--and some may find it saccharine. But it's always enchanted me...
Little House in the Big Woods
first in the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another series my daughter loves as much as I do!
A Little Princess
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There's only been one good version of this on film--a BBC mini series. If you haven't seen that one, you don't know this story!
Little Women
and all other books by Louisa May Alcott.
I read this first in 6th grade, but I didn't understand a lot of it until college..
The Moffats
by Eleanor Estes
A family you'd love to belong to.
Pinky Pye
also by Eleanor Estes
You don't have to be a cat lover to love this, and if you're not, Pinky just might convert you!
Mr Popper's Penguins
by Florence Atwater
The tone is deadpan but the humor is pure slapstick.
A well loved read aloud.
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There have been good films of this, but nothing beats the book, especially with the delicate Tasha Tudor illustrations!
The Trumpet of the Swan
by E.B. White
I love Charlotte's Web , but kids should also meet Louis the mute swan who gains a voice and a love. And if you liked Make Way For Ducklings (another favorite of mine) you'll recognize one of the settings......
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Not a young child's book at all,but a beautifully written book about friendship, greed, self centeredness and love.
The best illustrations are by Ernest Shepherd. He was also the first (and only REAL!) illustrator of Winnie the Pooh!
Blueberries For Sal (& One Morning In Maine)
and other books by Robert McCloskey
The Nutshell Library
4 book set by Maurice Sendak
The music to go with the books is on:
Really Rosie by Carole King
Where the Wild Things Are
also by Maurice Sendak!
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge
by Hildegarde Swift
(A beloved NY landmark!)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
and every other book by Eric Carle
Caps For Sale
by Esphyr Slobodkina
Madeline
by Ludwig Bemelmans
Beloved by little girls long before the toys or the movies!
Yes, I Read "Grownup" Books Too--When They're Worth It!
And These Are:
Silver Pigs
(1st of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries) by Lindsey Davis
Welcome To Temptation
(and all other books) by Jennifer Crusie
Breakup
(Kate Shugak mysteries)by Dana Stabenow
And Ladies of the Club
by Helen Hooven Santmyer
The Cazalet Chronicles
(4 books) by Elizabeth Howard
Poldark
(the whole series)by Winston Graham
The Mitford Years
(series) by Jan Karon
Stranger In A Strange Land
(& just about any other book) by Robert Heinlein
Dear Moms: They Don't NEED the Programs!
Dear Moms Who Get Ticked Because Either My Program Schedule Doesn't Fit Yours or Your Child Is Still Too Young For Anything I Do:
Your child doesn't NEED to come to library programs.
For that matter, your child doesn't NEED Gymboree. Or Kindermusik. Or art class, or toddler ballet (I kid you not) or any of the sixty skadillion other programs being run for babies and toddlers.
Please don't tell me your child needs "stimulation". You can get just as much stimulation out of a walk in the park, a trip to the grocery store or some time at the playground as you can in a "class". Probably more so, because you are one on one with your child and can do what THEY like to do as they like it, instead of following a carefully programmed script!
And you can get far more out of sitting with a child in your lap, looking at a book together, than you can from my storyhours.
Don't get me wrong. I love your kids and I love telling them stories. But it's not like what I did for my own girls. That's the experience I will treasure forever.
And it goes so DURN fast!
Pretty soon, your kids won't be little any more. They'll have lots to do. They'll be spending time with their friends, they'll be off at school. They won't think you're the smartest, funniest, most wonderful person in the whole wide world!
But they do NOW.
So please, bring your kids in to visit. Get some books, take them home, sit down with your child in your lap and READ!
Sing together. Let them bang on a pot with a spoon, build a block tower, tumble on the floor with you. There won't be a clown puppet or a songlist to follow, but that's what makes it fun--you make it up as you go along.
There are all sorts of mother's groups. Go www.momsclub.org for a group that may have programs in your area. Lots of churches sponsor groups, as do recreation departments. These groups usually offer playgroups and trips and "mom's nite outs". Find one and you can meet lots of other moms to share playdates with.
Create your own playgroup and let your kids play while you drink coffee and chat with other moms. I know you need it. All moms do.
But please don't kid yourself that your children NEED programs and that it's purely for their stimulation. Because we all know better.
And if you're feeling the need to go to a lot of these programs, maybe it's time to rethink WHY you're at home with your kids. Just a thought!
Best wishes from,
The Library Lady
(mother of 2 underprivleged girls who never, EVER went to programs, and seem to be doing just fine none the less..........)
