[Kylie Orr]

If there wasn’t the threat of suffocation combined with the pressure on our old house stumps, I’d line every wall with books.

A love of books is something I’ve harboured since childhood. Losing myself in a story of magical imagination, or just stunning illustration was a fantastic escape and most likely where my adoration of literature and language was born.

For every birthday my children have celebrated, when asked for a gift suggestion, my standard response is a book. I don’t believe you can ever have too many books. That being said, I have read my fair share of children’s books and amongst the electrifying beauty of many, there exists some dismal crud. Don’t ask me how some of the pages justify publication, nor a purchase price.

With this in mind, I thought I would compile a list of a few of the books I’d love my children to love starting with the trusty classics:

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle

An oldie but a goodie. It has everything you could ever want in a book – colour, counting, days of the week, fruit, vivid illustrations, fun through treats, little holes that little fingers can poke and of course, the word "POP" which for some reason makes my children laugh. Not to mention life cycle and a gorgeous double-page-spread butterfly. I still enjoy this book and never tire of reading it to my children.

2. Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

This has actually grown to be my favourite as I’ve matured. It is a story that has so much more than the basic plot; things I’ve identified as an adult that passed me by as a child. It is rhythmic, making it easy for parents to read, and there are endless discoveries through the illustrations that expand with the adventure.

3. Green Eggs & Ham, Dr Seuss

Although long for a children’s book, you can whip through this in no time with the trademark craziness and rhyming genius of Dr Seuss. Not to mention, it helps encourage my children to try new and interesting foods placed in front of them at the dinner table…

4. There’s a Hippo on our Roof Eating Cake, Hazel Edwards

For no other reason than it is funny and ridiculous! Who doesn’t love a hippo? And cake?

In more recent years, I’ve discovered or been introduced to:

• "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson – a gorgeous and intelligent story which most of us would know by now, about the clever little mouse who outwits his predators and the Gruffalo.
• "Stanley Paste" by Aaron Blabey – a recent gift for my daughter that has engaging illustrations and a fantastic story for any child, short or tall.
• "We’re Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen – another book with great pace and repetition that the little ones love.
• "Where is the Green Sheep?" by Mem Fox - This is a book we probably all think we could have written because it seems so simple. Apparently it took Mem Fox two years to write. It is the first book my eldest child knew by heart and could “read” at three.
• "Blueberry Girl" by Neil Gaiman - a book all women should read, and one we should all read to our daughters. It is a book I wish I had written. Just gorgeous.
• "We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey through Tanzania" by Laurie Krebs, a really interesting counting book with animals, that introduces children to the plains of Africa as well as some Swahili words!
• "The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it Was None of His Business" by Wolf Erlbruch– how can you go past a story about poo? Great illustrations and some informative details about the makeup of various animal poo!
• Lynley Dodd’s "Hairy Maclary" series, particularly the one with Zachary Quack! Mainly because my son loved hearing his name in a book.
• Anything Quentin Blake is quirky and bright, a particular favourite in our house is "Mr Magnolia".

And as we move into the digital age of books, although I resisted being usurped by a screen over a crisp white page, I have come to adore a book my husband downloaded on the iPad called "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore". Interactive and beautiful.

OK, now I’m getting carried away so I will force myself to truncate the list so I can give you all the chance to add your own favourites.

What are your “must have” children’s books?

Kylie

This post has been edited by Kylie Orr: 29/03/2012, 11:05 AM

[Madnesscraves]

Possum magic

Enid Blyton - Faraway Series

[spersephone]

I'm reading the Faraway Tree series to my daughters right now, one chapter per night. After that, we'll move on to the Wishing Chair series.

But oh my God, it's funny to read it now. Mother doesn't mind if her young children disappear off with a strange man who wears saucepans on his head and body, and when they come home bruised, clothes ripped etc, she's just a bit peeved with them.

I loved them when I was growing up, it's so sad that my innocence has gone!

[Cranky Kitten]

My daughter loved Wombat Stew, I wouldn't say Boo to a Goose (though yelling that last BOO! at the top of her lungs did not aid sleep) and we're loving the Stripey books by Wendy Binks - she reads them to DS

[gabbigirl]

Alot of your faves, are also ours.

We are also enjoying some of the Beatrix Potter work.

[Guest_Buy Me A Pony !_*]

The rainbow fish
Anything by Seuss (the originals)
Enid Blyton

If the house needs restumping then so be it!

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Silly Suzy Goose

The Very Cranky Bear

When Henry Caught Imaginitus

[niggles]

Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen for the toddlers. I never get tired of this one.

Kisses for Daddy by David Legge is another favourite around here.


We love Mr Magnolia too. It was my husband's favourite book as a child so our daughter has his copy of this now.

(Most overrated: Where is the Green Sheep. *ducks for cover*)

For older children I love the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. I was very happy to find some of these in an op shop recently and spent the afternoon reading and reliving my childhood memories of them.

This post has been edited by niggles: 29/03/2012, 11:41 AM

[MUMxTHREE]

Not so much a children's book, but my DS1 (almost 8) has just started reading my Deltora Quest books. He's up to the 2nd book now. I love Emily Rodda

[Guest_tigerdog_*]

I had your first three, another few favourites from my childhood are Rosie's Walk and Rose and the Midnight Cat. Roald Dahl for older kids (loved The Twits and The Witches).

This post has been edited by tigerdog: 29/03/2012, 11:51 AM