“A children’s story that can only be
enjoyed by children is not a good
children’s story in the slightest.”
– C.S Lewis
Kevin’s a big book reader. He’s got heaps of them around the house, and he carries his trusty Nook with him wherever he goes. I find it propped against my pillow every morning because he goes to bed reading something or another on it every night. (How he falls asleep while staring (so closely) at a lit-up screen I will never know- ha!) He’s a non-fiction guy (with the exception of Andy Andrews)…
(Outliers, Beautiful Outlaw, Tunesmith, Mastering the Seven Decisions, Linchpin, Mere Christianity)
…and I’m a storybook/gift book kinda gal:
(Someday, The Gardener, The Giving Tree, How To Live On An Island, Cloudette, The Dot)
Most of his books feel a little bit like homework to me (ha!), but I am super inspired by his passion for personal growth and I love it when he shares the highlights of what he reads with me. It’s a fun ride-to-town ritual we have…talking about our books, I mean. They may be sold in different sections, but the heart of the matter is always very much the same. 🙂
And speaking of books…
The built-in bookcase/storage unit is coming together beautifully. Remember the room before?
And remember the (rough) drawing I put together for Brian the Carpenter to use as a guide?
Well, here’s what he whipped up while I was under the weather last week:
Isn’t that great? He’s such a talented guy! (That reminds me: Brian took a leap of faith and started his own carpentry business this year! If you’re looking to hire an exceptional guy in the Montgomery, Prattville, Wetumpka areas of Alabama, you can reach him at [email protected].)
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I would’ve used a dresser next to the bedroom door anyway, and that would’ve created some wasted space in front of the “bump out” wall, so taking the storage from floor to ceiling, and building a 20″ deep storage unit, and a 9.25″ deep bookcase seemed to be the way to go.
Today, he’s putting up a couple of walls full of planks…
…and I’m sealing the old shutters Lucy found for us to use on the storage unit to the left of the bookcase.
Turns out we were actually looking at the back side of the shutters in that photo above. Here’s what the front side looks like:
We realized that if they were hanging on the front of a house, they would’ve been open all the time. Since we’re using them in a way that will leave them closed most of the time, we’ll see the gray/wheat-colored side of them…which I’m pretty excited about because I love the way they pop against all the white-painted wood around them.
The entire front back side of both of the shutters is crackled just beautifully, and I was determined to find a sealer that would A) prevent the beautifully crackled paint from chipping off, and B) never turn yellow. Thankfully, I’ve got a friend named Jennifer who has lots of experience with old stuff covered in crackled paint. She texted me with the solution I was searching for, and assured me that whatever I slather it onto won’t ever chip, and will always stay white. Her secret: Peel Stop.
I had never heard of it, but I found it right away on Amazon. Jennifer said a little bit goes a long way, so I just ordered a quart. It was really easy to work with. I just applied it with a regular 2.5″ paint brush. The can says to use two coats, but I wanted to make sure the shutters were really good and sealed, so I applied three. I gave the shutters a nice sheen, and the paint seems to be permanently sealed into place. Thanks again, Jennifer!
Anywho- back to the built-in bookcase. Now that our kiddo’s room/future home office has almost 36 square feet of shelves in front of the bump out wall, I’m getting excited about the idea of filling them with some great books. Do you have any other good recommendations that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages? After all, a children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children…well, you know. 😉
*Amazon links are affiliate links.
Oh, how I love children’s books! I used to teach 1st and 2nd grade, and I have quite a collection. 🙂 Our Christmas books are still out at the moment, and my favorite one (which I think you will like too) is Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant. Other random favorites that come to mind are Going to Sleep on the Farm by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch, and Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae. Have fun filling your shelves!
I have some awesome ebooks that my grand kids love:
Nighty night
The wrong book
Cranky bear
Ben tractor
The monster at the end of the book – books 1&2
The Splat the Cat series
They are all interactive and we have to read all of them before bed when they’re here. Nighty night is the perfect wind down book before bed and even our 9 year old grandson still loves turning off the lights in the farmyard.
We adopted my 28 year old son from sth Korea when he was just 5 months old. He completed our family of 4 kids beautifully. His name is Samuel (gift of God) Nathan (God gave) and the joy of Gods blessing is as strong in me when I look at his face today as it was when I first met him.
No matter what ups and downs you face with your child, the moment your eyes first meet will never leave your spirit. Enjoy your little one, Layla. You can’t begin to comprehend the days of blessing ahead of you. Xxx
I’ve always enjoyed your room transformations; you’ve got great ideas!
Here are some of my suggestions for your and your child’s library:
Any books by Robert Munsch. Especially good:
Love You Forever
The Paperbag Princess
I Have to Go
Murmel Murmel Murmel (is actually about adoption; he made it up just as they were adopting their first son.)
‘People’ written and illustrated by Peter Spier. This was one of my sons’ favourite books (they are now 27 & 30) and I still give it to new parents. It has simple text and lots of illustrations showing the differences between people, cultures, religions, etc. This is a classic work to help open up the subjects of diversity and understanding to children — topics that are sometimes hard for adults to convey.
This is a list of adoption books recommended by friends and parents within our adoption agency in case you don’t already have some people have told you about! Hope this is helpful!
Chosen By Love
On The Far Side of Poplar Pond
Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born
God Found Us You
We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families
You Are My Wish Come True
I Wished For You: An Adoption Story
I Love You So Much…
Born From The Heart
Hi Layla………”Where the Wild Things Are”……….I still take it off the shelf to read myself and my daughter is 29! Wonderful book & it’s still fun to do the voices!
I didn’t read the previous comments, so these might have already been mentioned. Here are some of our favorites:
Llama, Llama Red Pajama
The Night Pirates
Little Fox Goes to the End of the World
Elephant and Piggie Books
The Mitten
A Bad Case of Stripes
Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth
Ira Sleeps Over
Skippyjon Jones
Starting a children’s library is so much fun! I know you will enjoy it!
Did you sand lightly to get any of the old paint off?
Sara Boyton The Going To Bed Book. I have it memorized. I have read it to all three of my girls.
Thanks for the Peel Stop tip. The room is going to be fantastic.
Now for children’s books:
Mo Willems is a winner. The Pigeon books and Piggy and Gerald books are fantastic. I help at my child’s school library and the kids from Kindergarten – 2nd love them.
Jonathan London’s Froggy books are great.
Ed Shankman writes fun books that rhyme.
Audrey Penn The Kissing Hand
Audrey and Don Wood The Napping House
For a seasonal book Caralyn Buehner Snowmen at Night can not be beat!
For Halloween my 7 yr old still loves Phyllis Root Who Sad Boo and Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate!
So many books so little time.
I loved reading this blog post and can “feel” your excitement over your soon to be addition. Two books that my son absolutely loved for me to read to him (almost as much as I enjoyed reading to him!) when he was a peanut was “Goodnight Moon” and “I Love You This Much.” I have the books stored away somewhere and would give you the names of each author if I could find the books, but I’m sure if you look on Amazon, you could find them. Jeremy is 24 y/o now and still fondly remembers those nights when I would read those books to him.
I’m a fan of Harold and the Purple Crayon, and one of my absolute favorites as a kid was Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch. Anything by Eric Carle is also great for little ones.
For kids who are a bit older I absolutely loved Sideways Stories from Wayside School. My teacher used to read a chapter to us every day after recess and when a new character was introduced she would create an amazing chalk drawing to surprise us when we came back in. I also loved The Giver and Holes. Louis Sachar is the author of both Holes and Sideways Stories, so I’m sure he has some other great books as well.
I’m a librarian and it makes my heart happy to hear about parents reading to their littles! <3
Picture Books:
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
The Little House by Virgnia Lee Burton
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henke
Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
Chapter Books:
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
Tale of Despereaux by Katie DiCamillo
Holes by Louis Sachar
And these links might help:
http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2010/04/13/the-top-100-childrens-novels-poll-1-100/
http://www.nypl.org/childrens100
I was coming back to mention Kate DiCamillo and saw her mentioned here. She also has an easier chapter book series, the Mercy Watson books, which are quirky and fun. I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments and thinking, “Oh YEAH! How could I have forgotten that one???” Clearly you have many passionate readers here!
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my Dad reading to me before bed so I love that you and Kevin are wanting to pass along the love of reading/books onto your little peanut.
My favorite all time book is Le Petite Prince. My dad first read it to me when I entered kindergarten (almost took all year as I completely did not have the attention span for this book but he read it like a picture book) and then again when I entered middle school and then we read it again separately and talked about it when I entered high school. This book and it’s message is timeless. Everyone who reads this book takes away something different which is why my Dad read it to me over the years because our understanding, scope of knowledge and views changed and grew.
The ideas and teachings from this book are ones that I try to carry in life and can only hope that you and Kevin find such happiness reading to your little one as I did having my Dad read to me.
“The most beautiful things can not be seen or touched, they are felt by the heart” – Antoine de Saint Exupery
My favorite book for little ones is ‘Jamberry’ Luckily my M-I-L has kept us supplied through the years, as we love one to death she gives another. Your future little one is lucky that you both love books so much. Can’t wait to hear more him/her!
Ask for recommendations and you are going to get them I’m sure. Pick up a copy of the book Honey For a Child’s Heart. She gives great recommendations for every age between 0-14. Highly recommended on many homeschooling websites. That said, my boys love all the classics. Target had Junior Classics in the $1 section a while back. We’ve gone through them all: Pinnochio, Wizard of Oz, Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, Peter Pan. The real versions are SO much better than Disney. The language is rich and detailed. Narnia and The Hobbit (the book is not scary like the movie with its images and thematic music) will intrigue a 5 year old for hours. Curious George and Berenstein Bears are my favorites for toddlers. I love my collection of vintage Little Golden Books often found at thrift stores or flea markets, the older the better. The illustrations are adorable. But they are ready to listen to the classics as soon as 3 believe it or not. We underestimate what they understand too often.
Loved bedtime with my kids – we read books every night til they got to high school! (at that time we were involved in a major renovation of our home and it was total upheaval, or we probably would have continued) We read all kinds – all the typical kids picture books, even non-fiction books about nature – life stages and cycles of animals and insects (I was secretly thrilled they were interested). Then chapter books – Box Car Children, all the way up to James Herriott All Creatures Great and Small series. My husband and I would take turns reading to them, but it was a family event that EVERYONE sat down and listened. Miss those days! One author I didn’t see mentioned in the comments, although I didn’t read every one, is Bill Peet. My kids absolutely loved his books and I even bought his biography and they were enthralled with that also.
Dr Seuss “oh the places you’ll go” needs to be in the bookcase! My kids received that as a gift as infants and you know we have quoted it many times throughout their lives! I also think you’d love “Corduroy’s Christmas” wonderful story . . . Was a smell me -lift the patch type of book and the kids loved it for years! But honestly anything you put is going to be GREAT!!!!!! Bookcase looks FAB! That Brian does wonderful work with your direction …… Hope you’re feeling better! 🙂
Chronicles of Narnia
100 Cupboards Trilogy by N.D. Wilson
Winnie-the-Pooh is essential!
Roald Dahl – especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Betsy, Tacy, Tib series by Maude Hart Lovelace (for girls)
Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maude Montgomery
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McKlosky
There are so many!! =) Have fun filling those shelves!
The shelving unit looks great! I love Andy Andrews! I got to briefly meet him back in 2006 when he was a speaker at a conference I went to. He was so nice and genuine. I am an avid reader as well (I like all kinds of books). My son and I read together every night before he goes to sleep.
I’ll Love You Forever…..the book.
For little ones, I love “Good Night, Hattie, My Dearie, My Dove”.
For those a little older, there are all different age levels and re-writes of Pilgrims Progress. They even come in very simple picture book form.
Last summer my grandson and I discovered Deputy Dan and the Bank Robbers at the library when he came for a week long visit…. read it about a dozen times out loud using our best southern accents…. laughed til we almost threw up.
Best rhythm book back when my kids were small was “Hand Hand Fingers Thumb” – dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum
I can almost recite the thing by heart now….
Loving the way this cabinet is turning out!
You can never go wrong with Shel Silverstein. My fave is Runny Babbit. Just be prepared to be tongue tied and laugh… Little g
girls require “Pinkalicious” and boys can’t miss out on “The Big Red Barn”
The “Toot & Puddle” series by Holly Hobbie is a MUST. Wonderful stories and amazing pictures (watercolors). Other favorites are the McDuff series (Rosemary Wells), the Angelina the Ballerina series (Katharine Holabird), anything by Sandra Boyton (she also has some books that have a music CD with them!). I really could go on and on and on! Have fun!!
I don’t have children but I got distracted in the book aisle at Target one day. I think its called ‘The day the crayons quit” so stinkin cute. It was creative and I loved the photos. It was just fun. You could always have a book themed shower if anyone was going to throw you one. Have everyone bring their favorite book as a gift!
L…….
Now you know I am slightly kooky……….
Wouldn’t it be fun to have a Book Shower and for those of us, who want to, could send a book for Sweet Pea’s Library????
This could be so much fun. And, if you got any duplicates, you could donate them to your church library!
Just sayin…………
Ter’e
Hey Layla! I LOVE IT! Wish I had one too. I am a mother of 6 (soon 7) and I homeschooled for awhile. My favorite series for kids is the Mr. Putter books written by Cynthia Rylant. LUV them! Also by Cynthia Puppies and Piggies. And I love the Bubba and Beu books (can’t remember author) I also have a special place in my heart for “Out Came the Sun” by Heather Collins it’s my favorite nursery rhyme book (nothing else touches it in pictures or content), Other classic favorites of my kids are “A bad case of the Stripes”, “You’re All My Favorites”, “What are you so Grumpy About?”, and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” …just to name a few 😉 So excited for you guys (we adpoted too and it’s wonderful!)
The Velveteen Rabbit ( a must have)
Old McDonald had a Farm by Child’s Play (a good board book with cut outs)
Love you More
Goodnight Moon
Any of The Golden Books (new or old ones)
I’m a grandmother and I have loved reading to my grandchildren. They each have a favorite that they always asked me to read when young.
I would add to this list, The Runaway Bunny.
Love your blog and am so excited for you guys! A few favorite books for younger ages are:
Owl Babies
Big Red Barn
Jamberry
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear
Big Green Pocketbook
Blueberries for Sal
Angus Lost
When my children were a little older, we used a homeschool curriculum called Five in a Row that is based on great children’s books. All the books were wonderful, but a few of our favorites were:
Story About Ping
Lentil
The Rag Coat
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Papa Piccolo
Night of the Moonjellies
Owl Moon
A New Coat for Anna
Miss Rumphius
Roxaboxen
The Raft
Mailing May
Blessings to you!!
The Gardener is my all-time favorite children’s book EVER. I bought it when I was pregnant with our first (we have three now), and I tear up every single time I read it. It’s hands down the most amazing book ever, ever, ever.
My mom bought my sister and I Someday for Mother’s Day a few years ago and I can’t read that one without crying either. 🙂
The room is looking amazing!
Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton…it’s SO much fun to read with the rhythm…
Junie B. Jones loves Handsome Warren by Barbara Park (but then you’ll want to read all the others!)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.
Dr. Seuss’s ‘My Many Colored Days’
Fanny’s Dream by Caralyn Buehner.
I pinky promise that you will love those books…like, they’re terrific for kiddos, but YOU will love them.
The Cricket in Times Square or any George Selden.
LOVE YOU FOREVER 🙂
I am so glad to hear Brian is starting his own business. I always thought “I wish I had a Brian!” I have a feeling he will do very well. As for the books– don’t get me started! When my girls were little I always gave books to the kids who had birthday parties. There were always so many toys and could never be enough books, right? My girls are now 11 and 14 but we have saved some special ones. I will start by saying (if your child is very young) that the board books are so great for travel/car and moving about. Dr. Suess board books along with the Susan Boynton Going to Bed book. Oh just wait, the sing-songy voice that comes with some books after you have read them over and over! Books for kids a bit older–our faves that we saved:
The Little Engine That Could
Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
(both of the above were read to my girls by their great grand mother and mean alot to us)
Make Way for Ducklings
Blueberries for Sal
One Morning in Maine
All of the Jan Brett books! Her stories are wonderful and sweet and the artwork is our favorite. A must!!!
Strega Nona
Yes, some of these seem not your garden variety but this is what we saved. Many are Caldecott winners and just so unique.
Love all things “book”!!! I wish I had a way to get you all the children’s books I have in storage!!! As a former elementary teacher, I’ve got a ton, and I’m paying to keep them (as well as a multitude of other school stuff) in storage!!! Note to self: clean out storage unit!!!
I love The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I love how the story goes from text to drawings and back again. It truly lets your imagination run away with you!!!
“3 in 1”. It may be out of print but it is worth searching for. It brings the principle of the trinity into perspective for very young children using an apple as an example. My kids enjoyed it. Thankfully they are both living for the Lord today. I pray your child will also walk this path. I believe you and your husband will set a great example.
My favorite books for children include:
Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories (4 volumnes)
Love you Forever
Velveteen Rabbit
Looking forward to more of your adoption story.
Wish I’d known this two years ago! We did a white pickling stain on the trim/vanity in the bathroom and coated it w/varnish, even tho I insisted it would turn yellow and my dad insisted it wouldn’t. Well, now all the pickled wood is a horrid pink-yellow color and has to be redone. Ugly. Will definitely remember this for when we do the kitchen cabinets!
Didn’t have time to read all the comments to see if these were mentioned already but “Where is the Green Sheep” by Mem Fox was a huge favourite of our kids plus anything by Mo Willems. We have books all over our house so it is hard to only recommend a few. When he is older, Roald Dahl are fabulous.
My children loved “PJ Funybunny, Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman, the Dr Seuss books, and since we just passed Christmas, the Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a wonderful book. Reading with your children from a young age gives them a love of books All of my children still love to hunker down with a good book on a rainy day.
There are so many great books to enjoy.
Hi Layla!
I have the PERFECT author to refer to you. His name is Greg Foley and he writes the sweetest, most genuine children’s books ever. Not only do my young children love his books, but I do too! I read them to myself all the time.
Thank You Bear
Don’t Worry Bear
I Miss You Bear
Whilouby And The Lion
Just to name a few….
You can find his books on Amazon. You will LOVE all of his books, I know!!
All my best,
Brooke
The Gruffalo …is a MUST and Time for Bed has beautiful illustrations (and is the best bedtime book EVER- makes me sleepy anyway 🙂
When Sweet P is older, the Henry and Mudge books are terrific and have some subtle life lessons. But for younger Master P, a book I always enjoyed reading aloud, because it’s amazingly musical and fun to speak and hear (with great illustrations, too), is The Pattaconk Brook, by James Stevenson (http://www.amazon.com/The-Pattaconk-Brook-James-Stevenson/dp/0688119549). It’s a gender-neutral book, great to read with other moms in a playgroup setting. Highly recommend, along with the classics others are listing.
I have been loving your blog for sometime now, and I have to say your a breath of fresh air to me.
I love the built it and the plank wall, it’s all coming together nicely, and will be a beautiful room. I can’t wait to see the finish product.
I also truly enjoy reading what you have to share about your husband and life.
after reading so many blogs it’s a delight having one be so honest and pure.
Best to you for 2014, keep up the good work.
Therese
The shelving unit is fantastic! So much extra storage in a piece that takes care of an architectural dilemma all in one great project…just perfect! And thanks for the tip on the Peel Stop too. I think I’ve inquired of at least a dozen “professionals” about how to preserve old painted antiques and they act like I have three eyes. I can now seal the old cabinet that’s in my cellar and bring it into the house and put it back to work. I’m thrilled!! Have a great evening 🙂
I love the shelves! I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to really read! I have so many books I hope they love as much as I did 🙂
I love all the books by the Ahlbergs.
The Jolly Postman
Each Peach Pear Plum
The Baby’s Catalogue (great for vocabulary)
Peek-a-Boo!
Love You Forever
Written by Robert Munsch
Just a little but wonderful book…I highly recommend….can’t wait for your little one to be home with you & Kevin…..
A favorite of my grandchildren to read with me was Stellaluna, it is about a baby bat but is a great story. Love your blog and wish you all the best for your exciting family expansion!
I loved reading all your comments. Great suggestions with a lot of our old favorites. I have many of them memorized since we read them so many times. Couple more: Benjamin McFadden and the robot babsitter, any books by Bill Peet and when he’s older, The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (8 or 10 books that are great for teaching vocabulary and figurative language).