We've been reading this book for years. It's one of our favorites, so full of lyricism and wit, poignancy and adventure. Probably one of the best books I've ever read on the theme of friendship, period. The illustrations are as elegant and charming as the prose. Usually brings a tear to my eye. What "children's" books to you return to for entertainment, comfort, and deep truths distilled?
Zen Shorts... such a simple delight.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely friendship book is The Lion and the Little Red Bird. My kids and I adore this book.
We have been reading both of these for years!
Oh, and Little Bear's Friend. I tear up at the end every time. :)
i'm so excited to read this. i love the runaway bunny. it's so sweet how his mom will follow him everywhere and keep him safe, no matter what, and how she doesn't mind that he wants independence. so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWe really like The Snail and the Whale.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Snail-Whale-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142405809/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272901715&sr=8-1
The snail writes with his slime on a rock saying he wants to see the world, and a whale gives him a ride on his tail. When the whale gets beached, the snail gooes to a school and writes a message on the blackboard SAVE THE WHALE!
Also The Animals' Merry Christmas by Richard Scarry has a bunch of really sweet stories. The two that make me tear up are when the kids hold a fundraiser to buy a wife for the elephant at the zoo and also the orphan puppy who looks for a home on Christmas. He finds a ribbon in the wind, and the ribbon in his mouth makes trails in the snow that look like sleigh tracks, so the penniless kid says, "See Mother, Santa DID come to our house!" And then there is the puppy! (sniff..sniff..)
http://www.amazon.com/Animals-Christmas-Little-Golden-Random/dp/0375833412/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272901894&sr=1-1
Oh! I have this book in my "stack". I have a little problem with children's books. I order so many that I have a stack in the closet. It works great though because there is always one ready when I want to give him one. Some of my favs? "A Balloon for Blunderbuss", "Milo's Special Words", "The Little House", "Llama Llama Red Pajama",...to name a few. "Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks" is also a favorite, but it doesn't really have any moral lessons...it's just fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendation. I'll add it to my library list. I've been enjoying "Sombody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" and "All the World."
ReplyDeletestephanie@metropolitanmama.net
Loved this one too! Wow...really had not thought about it until I saw the artwork. Here are some other treasures: http://squirrelly4u.blogspot.com/2010/04/books-to-be-remembered.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trip down memory lane.
tikki tikki tembo, because it's just so fun to say, "tikki tikki tembo no sa rembo chari bari ruchi pip peri pembo!"
ReplyDeletethe three questions by jon muth - i always get choked up reading it to my 3rd graders.
and anything by kevin henkes, but my faves are: lilly's purple plastic purse (lilly's got great flair and awesome red cowboy boots!), chrysanthemum (kids tease her b/c her name is so long), and wemberly worried (her first day of school.)
I haven't seen this book. Will have to go check it out.
ReplyDeleteI love Beegu by Alexis Deacon. Always brings a tear to my eye. x
The Maggie B, by Irene Haas...from 1975, and I remember this book fondly from when I was a child. I bought it for my children recently, and they love it as much as I did. "This is a story of a wish come true..." Margaret wished for a little ship, all her own, just for a day, with "someone nice for company" which turned out to be her baby brother. She was a bustling little girl, going through her day making meals, cleaning her little ship, battening down the hatches during a storm. The watercolor illustrations are just beautiful. Take a look: http://www.amazon.com/MAGGIE-B-Irene-Haas/dp/0689500211
ReplyDeleteomg, I haven't seen this book in YEARS. I completely forgot it existed until I saw your post. thanks for the wonderful reminder . . .
ReplyDeleteLove You Forever
ReplyDeleteI can't read this book to my son without bawling. My husband used to always sing that song to me, so that combined with the actual story and what it all means is always a hugely emotional time.
Also, The Giving Tree.