I love being able to share some of my favorite childhood picture books with my children. They feel so nostalgic and have quite a different vibe from the books of today. Today I wanted to gather some of my favorite books from childhood, maybe some of them will jog some core childhood memories for you as well.
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg - I loved looking through this book as a child. Kids can find nursery rhyme characters on every page in this simple game of I Spy. The illustrations are beautiful and as I child I loved pretending I was in the story with the characters. One of my favorite books from my childhood.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood - Another favorite book from my childhood, the strawberry looked so delicious to me, so to be invited to share it at the end of the story was the perfect ending. I love reading this book aloud to my little ones because the writing really allows you to really engage in a creative way. It's a dynamic short story and was one of the first I got for our baby's book shelf.
I'm As Quick As a Cricket by Audrey Wood - Another classic Don and Audrey Wood book. This one is perfect for teaching children about the wide array of everything they can be. Quiet or loud, tough or gentle, happy or sad, each of these feelings create who we are. I think it really goes to show kids that it is okay to experience the wide range of emotions that come with being human.
Jamberry by Bruce Degen - Jamberry is just a fun and silly nonsense type of story that is fun to read aloud. A boy and his bear make their way through Berryland where there are blueberry falls and blackberry trains. It's an easy read, sure to bring a giggle to your story time.
But No Elephants by Jerry Smath - Grandma Tildy lives alone until she receives some animal friends, her one rule is no elephants. All her new animal friends help her around the house but one day there is only an elephant left. Will she take the elephant in and if she does will she learn to love it? This book is simply one I remember from my childhood that I just loved reading. It's kind of silly and fun to think about having all these different animal friends as pets.
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler - This one was my husbands favorite book and he wanted to share it with our girls. PJ funny bunny thinks it's difficult being a bunny, so he ventures out to become a part of other animal groups. Will PJ find a group that's just right for him, or return home? This book is fun and silly and a great read aloud!
Milk and Cookies by Frank Asch - My favorite part of this book as a kid was the plate of milk and cookies, they looked so good to me. This book is about a little bear who has some scary feelings in the middle of the night, but his father is able to help him understand that things are not always as they seem. And milk and cookies can always help too!
The Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain - The Berenstain bears have so many books, and I would say generally they can be a bit hit or miss, but The Berenstain Bears Go to school was my absolute favorite as a kid. When they go to the school and see the beautiful blocks, big barrels of clay, and perfect paints, it was so dreamy. I wanted to play on the playground outside and go to school with sister bear. It's the perfect book to read before school starts.
Piggy Pie Po and Piggies by Don and Audrey Wood - These two books are simply silly as they follow little piggies getting into all sorts of mischievous and messy fun. If you are looking for just fun and silly stories, these are perfect.
Ten Little Rabbits by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long - This is a beautiful counting book that showcases different Indigenous American traditions. I especially loved looking at the different textiles on the rabbits and deciding which one was favorite when I was a kid.
The Weighty Word Book by Paul Levitt, Douglas Burger and Elissa Guralnick - This book is a very clever way to expand your child's vocabulary. With 26 new words from A-Z, each word is accompanied with a story to help your child remember what the word means. For me this book is one kids can return to read again and again.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - This is a classic for a reason, it is an amazing read aloud story filled with adventure. Max makes choices that are right for him throughout the story and those choices lead him back home.
Koala Lou by Mom Fox - Koala Lou is now a big sister and is feeling a little lost in the mix of having a new sibling, so she enters herself in the bush Olympics to try to impress her mother. In the end they reconnect and Koala Lou is reminded she is just as loved as she ever was. This sweet book is perfect for anyone who is going through the transition of becoming an older sibling.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst - A classic that teaches that everyone has bad days and honestly that's okay. I probably need a reminder of this concept in my life still.
Honorable Mentions
Did any of these books jog your memory? There are so many good books from our childhood here are a few more honorable mentions if you want to continue down the road of nostalgia.
Alright that was quite the trip down memory lane. Let me know what books I am missing from your childhood favorites in the comments below.
