One thing that we've been folding into the fabric of our days is reading out loud. Reading to the girls has been something that Youssef and I had always talked about something that we wanted to do and for many years never seemed to get around to it, at least not very often or every day like we'd wanted.
I always pick on cleaning or the dishes to explain what I'm learning and changing in our days, but this was one habit that I'd been wanting to do and it sort of snuck in without too much work.
It started to be more consistent when I ordered this Bible for the girls. The Jesus story book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. They both really like it, but Lily especially. She actually cheers when they are in bed and I say it's time to read their Bible! Along with reading a little section from it each night I've been adding a couple other short picture books as well on occasion (depending on how late it is and how tired they already are.)
I'm working on making the habit of reading a few books during the day as well. Renna especially is my little trouble maker (she's three) and needs some extra Mommy time. And really, how long does it take to read three books to them? Yet, it does SO much good for all of us! The girls are so much happier to play with each other when I give them that little bit of time and it makes me happy as well. When they are driving me crazy and when Renna is finding some mischief to get into and I'm inclined to yell, I know it's time to take a break and read together.
Some people have a hard time getting into the habit of picking-up or cleaning and some people have a hard time getting into the habit of playing with their kids or reading to them. I often feel like I could use help in all areas, though I tend to pick on housekeeping the most.
So, for those of you who would like to weave in more reading out loud to your kids and don't know of some fabulous books, I've compiled a list of our favorites! (The ones in bold are some that I'd especially like to get that we don't own yet just for me to keep track of.) A couple friends added their favorites at the end of this list that I've included as well. I need to print out the names of the authors to take to the library with me. Somehow looking for books for the girls that we'll all actually enjoy feels pretty impossible with all the kids with me, and a little planning ahead would be just the thing. :} My favorite books to read to them are the ones that lend themselves to doing sound effects or voices. If a kid's book isn't written in such a way to make it sound amazingly EXCITING just by a change of inflection in the voice, it's just not written well in my opinion. ;]
By Audrey Wood--
Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear
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By Stan and Jan Berenstain--
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By Dr Seuss
How The Grinch stole Christmas
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By Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
The Fancy Nancy books (They are all good as far as I can tell! A bit closer to the 5 year old age range than younger.)
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By Margaret Wise Brown
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By Charles Fuge
Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball – little wambat
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By Doreen Cronin
(haven't read the other books that she has out that are similar to these, they might be just as good.) :}
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These next authors might have other great books out, but these are the only ones that I've read to them so far and they really like them.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff (I actually HAVE read some of the other ones.. like "if you give a pig a pancake" for instance and the girls liked all the ones like this by this author.)
George shrinks by William Joyce
Pete's a Pizza by William Steig
Chicka chicka boom boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
The Quiltmaker's gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail De Marcken
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Cowardly Clyde by Bill Peet (He's got many great books, but are a bit longer and more for the closer to 5 year old's than younger. Do check his other stuff out though! The illustrations are great and the stories are thoughtful.)
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
-Richard Scarry's Favorite Story Book Ever
-Magic Castle Books by Jane Belk Moncure
-The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey...
-Blueberries for Sal & Make way for the Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
-The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
- Big Sarah's Little Boots by Paulette Bourgeois
-Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks
-How Fletcher was Hatched by Wende & Harry Devlin
-The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater
-Going to Sleep on the Farm by Wendy Cheyvette Lewison
-Amos, The story of and old dog and his couch by Susan Seligson
-Clap your hands by Lorinda Bryon Cauley
"Mouse Soup" and "Frog and Toad Together" By Arnold Lobel
Eric Carle's -- "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," of course, and "Mister Seahorse," "A House for Hermit Crab," "Slowly, Slowly, Slowly, Said the Sloth" and "The Tiny Seed"
"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats
"Thankful Together" by Holly Davis
If you have some absolute FAVORITE kid books (for 5 and under) that aren't on this list please tell me about them (with the author's name as well) and they might make it to the list. ;]
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I've found more!
"Lana Llama's Little Lamb" by Barbara deRubertis
I haven't read that one yet, but all the others in that series "Animal Antics A to Z" are really fun! Super great for learning the sound of the letters in a way that doesn't feel like "learning" because the stories are so cute. I don't own any of these either (got them from the library) but I totally wish I owned them all now. :}
This is such a great list! Great resource to come back to when I need ideas for books to get at the library or to buy as gifts. :)
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