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Children's Books         Reading to Children         About Us         The Storytellers
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READING TO
CHILDREN

Reading is at the heart of education, but the love of reading begins a home by reading to children. For more information, click on the following topics:

Benefits of Reading Aloud
Listening Levels
Classics
What Makes a Good Book
Children's Book Categories
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We present some of the best in children’s literature for reading aloud and reading. These books are listed by grade, theme, and title. Age or grade categories usually cover a broad period in a child’s life, however, please consider our ratings by grade as a recommendation, not a rigid limitation on the use of the books.

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Parents will find the best in current books selections for their children in this bi-monthly book review guide.


BOOKS BY TITLE

A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z


BOOKS BY THEME

Adventure
Animals
Anthologies
Bears
Bedtime
Classics
Chapter Books for Young
Concept Books
Countries & Cultures
Dinosaurs
Families
Famous People
Fantasy
Fiction for the Young
Folk Literature
Friendship
Historical Fiction
Holidays & Special Days
Humor & Nonsense
Insects
Mysteries & Detective Stories
Nature
Non-Fiction
Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, & Ponds
Poetry
Recordings
Rhythm & Rhyme
Science Fiction
Sports
Trains, Planes, Cars, & Boats
Wordless Books
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RAISING SMART KIDS

To create a nation of readers, parents need to read to children early in their child's life and continue well past the point when their children learn to read.

No education reforms or laws will matter unless parents do their job and teach children at an early age to love reading. Parents need to create an atmosphere in the home that nurtures reading. Children get the impression that reading is valuable when they see their parents take time to enjoy reading quality books, magazines, and newspapers.

Parents set a powerful example of the importance of reading when they check out library books for themselves, as well as for their children. It is a sad reflection on American life when less than ten percent of the American people regularly use the public library system.
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BARRIERS TO READING ALOUD

Television may be a great babysitter, but it is a huge obstacle to family togetherness. Television deprives a child of asking questions. It encourages deceptive thinking and stifles their imagination. It overpowers and desensitizes a child's sense of sympathy for suffering. It is a passive activity and discourages creative play.

Most American children do minimal reading. They do not know very much about history, unless they have seen it on television. This is ignorance, not illiteracy.

Our society offers so many distractions and negative role models that most children either cannot read, will not read, or hate to read. What does this say about their choices in the voting booths, how they choose to spend their money and leisure time, how they raise their children, or the value systems they adopt and whom they emulate?
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HOME ENVIRONMENT

Read to your child on a regular basis. In addition to stories, read labels on cans and boxes, street signs, receipts, coupons, etc. Be available to answer questions and praise your child's efforts. Make available a wide variety of printed material-books, magazines, newspapers, comics, etc. Have paper and pencil available for scribbling and drawing, and display their artwork where everyone can admire it.

Establish the habit of reading aloud everyday, and try to schedule it around the fewest interruptions. For a busy parent, usually bedtime is chosen. At this time, children often look for security and appreciate the physical closeness. They are also tired enough to stay in one place.

Some hyperactive children listen best while they are soaking and swishing in the bathtub. Water is magically calming and enables them to enjoy a story better.

A big, comfortable chair or recliner may be just the ideal place for children who have physically outgrown their lap sitting and bed sharing days.

Make sure the readings are interesting and exciting enough to hold their interest while building up their imagination. Use plenty of expression when you read aloud and have fun with the language. Whisper, laugh, oink, meow, or speak gruffly or softly. Read slow or fast to fit the story and allow time for children to point to everything in a picture and discuss it.

For children who are not used to listening to stories, keep the initial readings short enough to fit their attention spans, and gradually increase the reading time as well as the length of the book. Do not turn every reading session into a question and answer session. Be sensitive to the times when your child simply wants to enjoy the story.

Read aloud every day. Turn off the television, get comfortable, have good light, and enjoy a good book.
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BOOK SOURCES

The greatest bargain in America today is still found in the libraries. In addition, patronize bookstores that either specialize in children's books or have a large children's section. Many parents also take advantage of school book fairs that offer paperback selections. Books also can be purchased secondhand at garage sales, thrift shops, and used bookstores.

Students are usually introduced to a variety of book clubs offered through their school. Most of these offer paperbacks, and the prices are good. Children like paperbacks and often choose them over hardcover editions because they are soft and more flexible. If a book will only be read once or twice and then forgotten, a paper edition will do.

Begin a children's home library. For young children, divide books into two categories: expensive (place up and out of reach, but in sight) and inexpensive (place on lower shelves within easy reach).

Books make perfect gifts. Make a list of favorite titles for grandparents or relatives and friends to give as gifts. Use holidays, seasons, or any other fun experiences as an excuse to give a child a good book.

Unlike toys, books are difficult to break and are ready-made with no assembly or batteries needed. Portable, they can be enjoyed anywhere, at any time of the day, take up less space than most toys, and never go out of style.
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BUILDING A CHILD'S HOME LIBRARY

Every child should own a book with his or her name inscribed inside-one that cannot be returned to the library or shared with a sibling. Place a bookrack where it can be used often by a child, no matter how large or small it is. If parents wish to raise a reader, they should invest in a bed lamp, when their child is old enough to stay up late at night and read in bed.

A child's home library should have a least one good nursery rhyme book by a good illustrator. Purchase one that is beautiful, one the child will want to pass on to the next generation. They need picture books that say "good-night" or talk about their world in a way that makes them feel safe and loved. Include at least one good poetry book, and purchase a new one for each major shift in the child's comprehension.

A good dictionary is a must, one with large enough print to invite reading. Finally, a good atlas needs to be part of a standard child's library. Ask the children's librarian at your local public library or check with your local children's bookstore for a good recommendation.

Because of their flexibility, children like paperback books. If a book is read a few times and then forgotten, paperbacks are fine, but if the book becomes special, an investment in the hardcover edition is recommended.
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AWARDS

Each year, several awards are given for the best books published.

John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott are men in whose names awards are given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

The Caldecott Medal has been awarded annually since 1938 to the most distinguished illustrator of a children's book during the preceding year.

The Newbery Award has been awarded since 1921 to the author of the most distinguished contribution to children's literature during the preceding year.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal is presented every three years to an author or illustrator who has, "made a substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature."

The Coretta Scott King award is, "given to a black author and to a black illustrator for an outstanding inspirational and educational contribution."

As prestigious as they are, do not let awards or medals dictate a choice in children's books. Awards are given for the quality of the writing or the illustrations and do not guarantee that a book will be successful. It is the parent's interest, good taste, and discretion that should be the influencing factor.
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Welcome to The Children's Hour where those interested in reading to children will find information on various aspects of reading aloud, as well as hundreds of memorable children's books. Our recommendations are also great choices for children, teens, and young adults to read.

The Holidays make sharing books even more enjoyable. Whether five years old or ninety-four, everyone loves a good holiday story, and we hope you will enjoy our special selections.

Several classics in children's literature have been reissued this year, and we hope you enjoy these as well. A classic is the rare book that has a special element, which enables it to endure the test of time and appeal to children from generation to generation. It stands out because it has the ability to touch the heart and cross the boundaries of culture, nationality, religion, race, gender and status.

Classics should make a major contribution to a child's education, merriment and appreciation of literature. Many good stories provide clear standards of right and wrong, show the ethics of human behavior, and evoke natural and wholesome laughter. Classics contain those unique qualities that surpass time and appeal to listeners and readers of every generation.

 
CLASSICS
 
THE MITTEN
adapted/illus. Jan Brett, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-399-25296-9), 32p, Ages 3-5.
Reissued with a new cover for its 20th anniversary, this famous Ukrainian folktale centers around a lost mitten and the woodland animals that try to fit inside for warmth from the snow. Cautioned by his grandmother not to lose his mittens in the snow, young Nicki does just that. One by one, the forest animals use it for refuge: a mole, rabbit, hedgehog, owl, badger, fox, and finally a bear. The mitten is so stretched to the breaking point, that when a mouse squeezes in and tickles the bear's whiskers, his huge sneeze blows everyone out of their knitted shelter. The mitten sails through the air and lands in the snow, where Nicki discovers it. Children will love the humorous antics of the animals as they try to take up residence in one small knitted mitten, as well as the grandmother's puzzled expression at the over-stretched mitten.
THE MITTEN
THE WIZARD OF OZ THE WIZARD OF OZ
written by L. Frank Baum, illus. by Charles Santore, (Sterling Publishing, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-4027-6625-1), 96p, Ages 7+.
Originally published in 1900, this enduring classic tells of a Kansas cyclone that transports a girl, her dog, and house to a magical land called Oz, where she begins an unforgettable journey to return home to Kansas. When her house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, becomes a powerful enemy. Dorothy is advised to traverse the yellow brick road to the City of Emeralds and ask the Great Wizard for help. On her way, she meets three special friends, who also seek help: a stuffed Scarecrow in need of a brain, a rusty Tin Woodsman looking for a heart, and the cowardly Lion searching for courage. Through blue Munchkin land, over poisoned poppy fields, into the sparkling Emerald City, sidetracked by a Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys, Dorothy and friends finally reach the Wizard, only to discover that he cannot help. The story is condensed, rather than adapted or retold, to accommodate Charles Santore's sixty stunning watercolor illustrations. However, the heart, brain, and courage of the story remain for children of another generation to enjoy. The Introduction, written by Michael Patrick Hearn, leading authority on L. Frank Baum, explains the making of this unforgettable classic, which should be an essential addition to all home libraries.
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
written by Lewis Carroll, illus. by Robert Ingpen, (Sterling Publishing, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-4027-6835-4), 192p, Ages 10+.
Alice's nonsensical and curious adventures begin when she follows a frantic white rabbit down a hole into a magical world called Wonderland. There she meets a Cheshire Cat, the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, a Mad Hatter, the March Hare, a Doormouse, an absurd Dodo, a Dutchess, a Gryphon, and the bossy Queen of Hearts, with whom she plays a bizarre game of croquet. Through her adventures and predicaments, where the nonsensical become the norm, Alice retains her humor, reason, and sense of justice. Robert Ingpen's artwork is fascinating and memorable. As Alice states, "and what is the use of a book…without pictures or comments?" Told to a group of children in 1862, this unabridged edition will capture the heart, mind, and imagination of children everywhere.
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS
written by Lewis Carroll, illus. by Helen Oxenbury, (Candlewick Press, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7636-4262-4), 208p, Ages 10+.
In the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice climbs through a mirror on the family's mantel and into a giant chessboard world, where it takes walking backward to get anywhere. In order to become a queen, Alice must move through sequences on the chessboard to reach the other side and return home. On her way, she meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, the Lion and the Unicorn, the White and Red Queens, the White Knight, and the oyster-loving Walrus and Carpenter. Throughout all her sideways, upside down, and backward adventures, Alice maintains her sensible and analytical ways. Lewis Carroll also uses clever wordplay, symbolism, and hidden messages for older readers to enjoy.
THUMBELINA
written by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Brian Alderson, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline, (Candlewick Press, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-7636-2079-0), 40p, Ages 4-8.
A tiny girl, the size of a thumb, is kidnapped by Mrs. Toad and betrothed to her Toadikins. "Thumbelina wept big tears, but the river fish heard what was going on, and they nibbled at the lily pad stalk and-whisht!- away it floated down the river." On her journey, Thumbelina meets selfish and fickle maybugs, a manipulating Mrs. Fieldmouse, and a pompous marriage-minded mole, who keeps her in his underground home. After rescuing a hurt swallow, Thumbelina nurses him back to health until he is well enough to fly. Because of her care and concern, the swallow offers to fly her to his summer villa, where she finds Crystal Fairies and her own fairy king. Throughout all of her harrowing adventures, Thumbelina never loses her compassion and sympathy for others.
THUMBELINA
WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD
written by Eugene W. Field, illus. by David McPhail, (Scholastic, Inc., $6.99, ISBN 978-0-439-92144-2), 20p, Ages 2+.
Originally published in 1889 and now available in board book, this classic bedtime poem tells of three fishermen, who set sail in a wooden shoe into the night sky in search of fish. With their nets of silver and gold, they meet the Old Moon, who laughs and speeds them along with a song. "All night long their nets they threw/To the stars in the twinkling foam;/Then down from the sky/Came the wooden shoe,/Bringing the fishermen home." Home is a little girl's bedroom, where her mother sings of the fisherman, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
REGARDS TO THE MAN IN THE MOON
written/illus. by Ezra Jack Keats, (Viking Children's Books, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-670-01137-7), 40p, Ages 5+.
Friends tease Louis about his father "the junkman," but his father explains that imagination can transform junk into amazing adventures. With help from his parents, Louis transforms junk into a special spaceship called "Imagination I", which Louis and a friend magically fly into outer space. "They floated past strange and wondrous things . . . and on through worlds no one had ever seen before." While gliding through space, they discover two friends, who decide to follow in a converted bathtub. When the friends become frightened during a rock storm, they lose their imagination, and Louis tows them safely home. Reissued for the fortieth anniversary of the first lunar landing, children will learn about the power of dreams and imagination. The paint and collage illustration are marvelous.
REGARDS TO THE MAN IN THE MOON
WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT
written by Michael Rosen, illus. by Helen Oxenbury, (McElderry Books, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-8711-6), 40p, Ages 4-8.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, this classic tells of a brave father, his four children, and pet dog, who find adventure in hunting a bear. "We're going on a bear hunt. /We are going to catch a big one. /What a beautiful day! /we're not scared." Whenever they experience an obstacle, they declare, "We can't go over it. /We cannot go under it. /Oh, no! / We've got to go through it!" Running, climbing, crawling, and trudging through grass (swishy swashy), cold water (splash splosh), mud (squelch squerch), and a snow storm (hoooo wooo), they stumble upon a dark cave, inhabited by an unfriendly bear. Quickly retracing their steps (followed by the bear), they hurry home, bare the door, and hide under the covers, exclaiming no more bear hunts. The final scene depicts the bear tromping home to his cave. Children will love the clever language and good-natured antics of a family determined to experience adventure.
AMOS & BORIS
written/illus. by William Steig, (Square Fish, $6.99, ISBN 978-0-312-53566-7), 32p, Ages 5-8.
This charming and whimsical tale concerns a life-long friendship between a mouse, Amos, and a whale, Boris, who have nothing in common but their desire to help their fellow mammals. Amos loves sailing, but one day he accidentally falls overboard and meets Boris, who kindly takes him back home to the Ivory Coast of Africa. It seems that Boris was on his way to a convention of whales from the seven seas. During the trip, the two strike up a lasting friendship. "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, and gemlike radiance of the mouse. Amos admired the bulk, the grandeur, the power, the purpose, the rich voice, and the abounding friendliness of the whale." Hoping the repay the kindness someday, Amos pledges his help, if ever needed. Little does Boris realize that one day he will need a rescuing that only Amos can provide. Appealing to all ages on many levels, these two characters will wind their way into every reader and listener's heart.
AMOS & BORIS
KATY AND THE BIG SNOW KATY AND THE BIG SNOW
written/illus. by Virginia Lee Burton, (Sandpiper, Book/CD, $16.00, ISBN 978-0-395-18155-3), 40p, Ages 3-7.
Katy is a red crawler tractor, who is a bulldozer in summer and a snowplow in winter. After a blizzard buries the city of Geoppolis under many feet of snow and the city's truck snowplows break down, Katy is called into action. With power lines down, the fire department unable to reach a fire, the railroad station and airport closed, and a break in the water main, everyone is helpless. Katy begins to chug slow and steady throughout the city, past the police station, the post office, the railway station, the telephone company, East Geoppolis, the water department, North Geoppolis, West Geoppolis, past the hospital, South Geoppolis, and the airport. "Katy finished up the side streets so traffic could move in and out and around the city." Tired from a long day of work, Katy returns home for a well-deserved rest. This classic tale teaches children the value of persistence and endurance, addresses problems created by snowstorms, and becomes a great tool for understanding how maps work.
GOLDILOCKS
retold/illus. by Ruth Sanderson, (Little, Brown & Co., $16.99, ISBN 978-0-316-77885-5), 32p, Ages 4+.
"Goldilocks loved to pick blueberries. That morning, she wandered from bush to bush to bush, and before she knew it, she was standing in front of a cottage she had never seen before." Forgetting her manners, Goldilocks creates a mess by eating the inhabitants' porridge, breaking their chairs, and sleeping in their beds. Confronted by the bear inhabitants, Goldilocks is embarrassed by her rudeness and makes amends by straightening up and helping around the house with chores. Offering the bears her bucket of blueberries, they all pitch in to make blueberry muffins. Endpapers offer a delicious recipe. Of the numerous renditions of Goldilocks, this interpretation, with its delightful twist and happy ending will appeal to a new generation.
GOLDILOCKS


ABOUT US

The Children's Hour was created to promote and encourage reading to children. We believe that reading aloud not only creates a special bond between parents and children, but it is important to the development of their imagination and curiosity. Our books are also great choices for children to read.


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