Cool books to read with your kids
Children who enjoy reading will , naturally enough , spend time reading . Because spending time doing anything is the path towards becoming more proficient at it , those children who enjoy reading will become accomplished readers . They will do better in school , score higher on the SATs , and have an easier time tackling higher education than others . As readers , they ’ ll also be more able to entertain and comfort themselves , and through books they ’ ll have the chance to learn great things and visit fabulous worlds .
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Wonder Bear by Tao Nyeu Ages 4 and up A wordless book that is big , bright and imaginative about a boy and a girl who plant a garden . A bean stalk , as thick and lush as any Jack ever climbed , shoots out of the ground to flower the next morning . Emerging from one such blossom is a white bear with a blue top hat . From this hat the bear pulls out a troop of high-spirited monkeys , bubbles that take the shape of wild animals , flying creatures that normally are relegated to the deep blue sea , and more . After a day of adventures the boy and the girl fall deeply asleep , and are tucked into bed by the bear and the monkeys before they themselves take off for parts unknown .
No Flying in the House by Betty Brock Ages 8 and up Written in 1970 , this book is a simply woven tale featuring the classic illustrations of the ‘ 70s by Wallace Tripp . It weaves together a delightful , heartwarming story , and gives great visuals for young children who want to see Annabel , Gloria , and Mrs . Vancourt . Overall , this is an imaginative , exciting children ’ s story . It ’ s about Annabel Tippens , a little girl who doesn ’ t have parents to care for her . Instead , she has a very tiny talking dog , Gloria . Annabel is quite happy with her life until one day she meets a talking cat named Belinda . Belinda tells Annabel that she is half human and half fairy — a revelation that changes Annabel ’ s life completely .
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Ages 9-12 This is a collection of poems and drawings that are outrageously funny and profound about an imaginative other world . Within its pages , you ’ ll meet a boy who turns into a TV set , and a girl who eats a whale . The Unicorn and the Bloath live there , and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out . It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens , a place where shoes fly , sisters are auctioned off , and crocodiles go to the dentist . The author couples the use of rhyme and nonsense verse with constant humor . His simple pen-and-ink drawings add to the imagery presented in each poem . Some poems not only depict an array of humorous characters , but also create touching moments and offer good advice .
Fancy Nancy by Jane O ’ Connor Ages 4 and up Nancy believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy . From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes , Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy . How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm -- with or without the frills . In the end , she learns that there ’ s no fancy way to tell someone you love them , except to say , “ I love you .” Fancy Nancy was nominated for the Quill Award for Best Picture Book in 2007 .
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Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack Ages 4 and up This classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children ’ s books of all time . The book nicely balances a child ’ s need for imaginative thinking with a sense of limits , and the pleasures of home . The illustrations clearly make this book great , because they provide a launch pad for this imaginary place . Children can really identify with Max and his thoughts . When he is sent to his room for misbehavior , his imagination helps him to run away to where the wild things are and collect his thoughts . Ruling the wild things helps Max understand that he just wants to feel loved , and helps parents to keep in mind that such outbursts from children are generally cries for attention — for someone to love them best of all .
If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen Ages 3 and up In this relatively new book , a little boy relates all of the wonderful things about the car he plans to design , including safety features , a pool , a robot driver , and the ability to go underwater and fly through the air . The artwork is beautifully done , colorful , crisp , and bright . The full-bleed pictures are animated and detailed , and the boy ’ s dog , which appears in each picture , ties the images together nicely . The concept of the book captures the imagination : this amazing car and all that it can do !