While I was sitting on my couch last night, my daughter proceeded to take out her home reading book from her backpack. She came to sit next to me so we could both read our books together. When she showed me the cover of the Amelia Bedelia book, I was transported to my childhood days.
I remember sitting in my room on my comfy twin bed reading all about the adventures of Kristy from The Babysitter’s Club. I always wanted to know what scheme Jessica was going to need Elizabeth to help her out of in Sweet Valley Kids. I remember going to the library once a week with my parents just to see if I could find a new Berenstain Bears book I haven’t read.
As I sat there discussing the book after she turned the last page, I told her the books I enjoyed as I was growing up. She has quite a collection in her bedroom of books she has purchased with her own money. Her bookshelf is packed with Dr. Seuss and Junie B. Jones. While I am glad she is a bookworm like me, there are certain books I hope she will purchase to experience the thrill that I did, but also so I can discuss with her the lessons that were taught in each one.
The following are the books I hope my child will read in her lifetime. It is a wide range including humor, classics, and even poetry. While most of these books are aimed at girls — since I don’t have any boys — I hope people will realize thought that books are not gender specific necessarily. Boys can enjoy Little Women as well as Little Men.
The Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder
(Goodreads / Amazon)
I loved reading about Laura and her family. While I still watch Little House on the Prairie whenever I can, there is nothing like reading about the adventure. Some things are better left to print than the TV Screen.
Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
(Goodreads / Amazon)
What babysitter in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s didn’t read this series? We always wondered if the adventures of the Babysitter’s Club could really happen to us while we watch the little ones. While they were more than likely never going to happen to us, it still opened up our imaginations.
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
(Goodreads / Amazon)
The housekeeper that every child wished we could have living with us. Forget Mary Poppins, I wanted Amelia Bedelia living in my home as a child.
Suprise! Suprise! by Francine Pascal
(Goodreads / Amazon)
The book that started the addiction! I gobbled Sweet Valley Kids — and Sweet Valley High when I was older — like candy. I couldn’t get enough of the sneaky Jessica and the goody Elizabeth. I had to have every single one in the collection.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
(Goodreads / Amazon)
This was a book that my mom had bought for me when I was younger. I admit, when she bought it for me I was dreading the idea of reading it. It was a classic and I thought it was going to be so boring. As I read it though, I fell in love with Meg, Amy, Jo and Beth. I laughed and I cried while enjoying the story of the four women. I finished it and I wanted more so I eventually read Little Men as well.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
(Goodreads / Amazon)
While Cat and the Hat was the first book of rhyming/poetry I can remember reading, Where the Sidewalk Ends will always be my favorite. There was just something about this book that captured me and children all over the world.
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