We head to the library at least once a fortnight and love discovering new books. Yesterday Immy, Dad 101 and I were all discussing our favourite borrows and I thought I would share some of our top picks from 2010. Some are newer, some are old classics and all were on our “Yes, we will read it to you for the 7432th time” list.
Our Top Library Picks of 2010
Otherwise known as the “Yes, we will read it to you for the 7432th time” list!
Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael KingThis story was a hit all round in our house. In fact, Immy had us assuming the roles of the three title characters (imagine Dad 101 as a dancing cat if you will) and dancing the “two-step,” the “three-step,” and the “tricky twisting backward-sliding four-step.” Milli is unique, she sees the creative potential of everyday things and can “take a straight piece of wire and give it a wiggle, or a simple square of cloth and set it dancing in the wind.” Unfortunately, her creativity is underappreciated within her community of sensible people who like sensible things. Til one day the dancing minstrels, Jack and his Dancing Cat, blow into town and teach Milli how to dance and in the process give her the courage to be her individual, unique, creative self.
Duck On A Bike by David Shannon
I found this book hilarious with clever prose and even funnier illustrations. One day Duck decides to take a spin on a bright red bike left in the farmyard, he greets each of the other farm animals as he rides around the yard and their reactions are amusing for both children and adults. But it is the fabulous conclusion to the story that I like the best.
Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough
“All dogs walk and jump and run, but dogs don’t fly-it can’t be done.” Or maybe it can 😉 A memorable book with a special secret at the end.
It’s Quacking Time by Martin Waddell
I love Martin Waddell books and have shared many over the years with groups of children aged 2 through to 8. In ‘It’s Quacking Time,’ Duckling is surprised to learn that their is a baby inside the egg which his mother has just laid and that he himself came out of an egg! The endearing interactions with other family members about this new baby make this a lovely story of its own and would also make a very nice way of talking to your child when expecting a new sibling.
Too Many Pears by Jackie French
Pamela loves pears but Amy and her family worry that their friendly pet cow will leave none for them. All of their attempts to keep Pamela away from the pears fail until Amy comes up with the perfect plan.
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
Filled with experiences of their magic beach, both real and imaginary, it is the illustrations and simple rhyme which brings the Magic Beach alive to children.
Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo by Alison Lester
We are BIG fans of this Alison Lester series with its regular characters, each unique in so many ways to represent the diversity which is our children in real life. Ernie is going to live in Arnhem land for a year and regularly writes to his friends about his adventures and of course his friends write back!
The Dreamtime Fairies by Jane Simmons
When Jamie can’t sleep his bigger sister, Lucy, takes him on an imaginative journey in search of the dreamtime fairies. They meet a cast of animal characters along their way whom join them on their adventures.
Have you had any recent additions to your own “Yes, we will read it to you for the 7432th time” list?
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
Our latest addition to the regular reading list is Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman – very cute and highly recommended!
Sounds wonderful, I will seek it out 🙂
I adore Stephen Michael King’s books. Milli, Jack & the Dancing Cat is gorgeous, but we also love Amelia Ellicot’s Garden. One of his best I think.
Where The Wild Things Are has been read at least 7432 times. As has Time For Bed. And Kiss Kiss. And…
I will have to order in Amelia Ellicot’s Garden, thank you for the tip x
Look out for it. You’ll love it. xx
Some Dogs Do here too. Plus Dr Seuss endlessly – my 2.5 year old is addicted to Green Eggs & Ham.
Charlie & Lola of any description and a series of books called Sparkle Street.
Oh yes, we have journeyed through all of the Charlie and Lola titles at our local library too 🙂
Ours have been the books by Julia Donaldson, like The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Tiddler, and Monkey Puzzle. Some we’ve read so many times til we can recite it by heart, and even the boy can remember all the words to the end of the sentences!
Jez Alborough is one of our favourite authors, her books are so re-readable (that is too a word).
Heidi recently discovered ‘Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type’ and has been returning to it frequently. 🙂
Click Clack Moo is a hilarious picture book, isn’t it?!
We love Jez Alborough books….’Where’s My Teddy ?’, ‘It’s the Bear’ and ‘My Friend Bear’. So much opportunity for fun voices. We also sing/read ‘Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy’ by Lynley Dodd regulary. It’s top of my list!!! Some other well read favourites are…. ‘Ivy Loves to Give’ by Freya Blackwood, ‘Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear’ (gorgeous!), any Fancy Nancy story, ‘Magic Beach’ by Alison Lester, ‘Apple Pie ABC’ by Alison Murray and ‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell. The list could go on. We have a lovely selection that we never tire of.
Great list! I have a weekly blog hop where people share their top picks every week. Some Dogs Do was on my list once as well as some books by Alison Lester. But the “must read” book in our house is What People Do Every Day by Richard Scarry. It rules for many months now as Anna’s “read in bed” book.
I am the proud mom of a five year old girl with an endless thirst for words…
my hubby reads Roald Dahl to Estella every night before bed. They are currently on Charlie and the great glass elevator. They finished James and the giant peach (great voices!), Charlie and the chocolate factory, and The BFG.
Today at the book fair we brought home Pig’s Egg by Katherine Sully. What an adorable story! And the illustrations (by Sam Chaffey) are absolutely delightful!