“One of the greatest gifts adults can give — to their offspring and to their society — is to read to children.” — Carl Sagan
A big round of applause for all the grandmothers who contributed to this round-up. I’m struck by the number of perennial classics listed here — kids can’t be fooled, and the favorites endure for a reason.
Molly Ashford – Jamie (3), Evan (5 mo.) Among the joys of grandparenting has been sharing my love of books with them. My 3-year-old granddaughter Jamie has had several books as part of her bedtime routine from almost the beginning. The two-three picture books (often Boynton treasures) always ended with “Goodnight Moon” by Margery Wise Brown. It is a sweet throwback to my own traditions with her father. Two recent acquisitions we have enjoyed are “See You Later, Alligator” by Sally Hopgood and Emma Levey. It’s a silly rhyming story with bright colorful illustrations. Another great book is “Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll” by Mr. Jay and Erin Wozniak. It has great messages about friendship and different abilities. Each page also features a ladybug hidden among the scenes — a favorite of my granddaughter’s. Her brother Evan now has the same evening routine (two short books followed by “Goodnight Moon”) and I look forward to exploring further with him as he grows.
Valerie Corvin – Winnie (5), Annie (3), Tess (1) Winnie and Annie like “Angelina Ballerina” and “Angelina and Alice,” both written by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig. They share a room and read everything together at bedtime. Tess primarily likes to chew on books, and honestly, there should be a category for books that taste good.
Amanda Docter – Rosie (6 mo.) “Farm: Mighty Machines on the Go! A Learn and Turn Book.” No surprise Rosie likes farming books. She’s a chip off the old block! (Editor’s Note: For a delightful peek at urban gardening check out Rosie’s mom’s instagram @girlandherdogfarm)
Alicia Fishel – George (2) “The Hidden Alphabet” by Laura Vaccaro Seager, “Dry or Wet” by Bruce McMillan, “100 Things that Go — With Flaps!”, “London Sounds” by Sam Taplin. I also highly recommend “Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children” by Mac Barnett. He’s a prolific children’s author and writes about books for children and the importance of children’s literature in all its forms.
Sara Hirsch – Morgan (8), Samuel (5) “Buffalo Fluffalo” by Beth Kalb, “Toothnasher Superflash” by Daniel Pinkwater (sadly out of print, but vintage copies available). I’m looking forward to reading “Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Graeme to them when they’re a bit older.
Laurie Johnson – Margo (4), Callum (2), Remy (22 mo.), and Edith (5 mo.) Margo’s picks are “All The World” by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee, and “Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans; Callum likes “Bodies are Cool” by Tyler Feder, and “Circus Ship” by Chris Van Dusen; Remy likes “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae, and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert; Edith loves “Jamberry” by Bruce Degen.
Mary Kelly – Owen (2) “Caps for Sale” by Esphpyr Slobodkina. It has the weirdest sticking power. It’s the rhythm, the fact that Owen can always finish the line. The monkeys with the different color hats. The fact that it seems to be a throwback to 1910.
Mary Margaret Sinnema – Junie (4) loves the classics: “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman, “Pout Pout Fish” by by Deborah Diesen (author), Dan Hanna (illustrator), “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen, “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, “Verdi “by Jannell Cannon, and “Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration” by Little Golden Books. Harrison (18 months) likes the classic picture books “Have You Seen My Cat?” by Eric Carle, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin and Eric Carle, “Where’s the Bunny?” by Ingela P. Arrhenius, “Dinosaur Dance” by Sandra Boynton, and “Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle (author), Jill McElmurry (illustrator).
Ulla Smit – Amelia (5) “The Poem Forest” by Carrie Fountain, illustrated by Chris Turnham, “The Children of Noisy Village” by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wickland (an all around Smit family favorite); Maria (3) “Little Blue Truck” by by Alice Schertle (author), Jill McElmurry (illustrator), “A Harry the Dirty Dog Treasury: Three Stories” by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (needs a little editing as you read along because of some dated references); Raya (7) “Pippi Longstocking” by Astrid Lindgren; Isabelle (5) “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen and all fairy tales; Julien (3) Richard Scarry books.
Edna Lewis is a Piedmont resident and former longtime reference librarian at the UC Berkeley Law Library