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.
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