Everyone needs to read a good children's book from time to time. They remind us of the basics -- stuff like telling the truth, being kind to others and the importance of friendship. They're not just about bunnies and birthday parties. Pay attention when you read these 12 Children's Books Everyone Will Love.
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The Thankful Book (Todd Parr)
Children’s books allow us all to appreciate the sublimely ridiculous: pigeons that drive buses, curious monkeys and hungry caterpillars. But it’s rare to find a board book that teaches toddlers the actual art of being appreciative and showing gratitude. Thankfully, this book has that covered…from cover to cover.
Recommended Ages: 1 to 4
$10.99, available at <a href="http://www.bookmanager.com/1158929/?q=h.tviewer&using_sb=status&qsb=keyword&qs=9780316181013" target="_hplink">mabelsfables.com</a>
My Side of the Car (Kate Feiffer)
It should come as no surprise that parents and children often see things differently. This lovely book about a father and daughter (who always looks on the bright side) underscores this perfectly, while reminding adults that sometimes a child’s naïve outlook is an awesome thing to behold.
Recommended Ages: 3 to 5
$13.87, availble at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0763644056/bookclubs-20" target="_hplink">amazon.ca</a>
The Black Rabbit (Philippa Leathers)
Whether or not they are in on the joke, this story of a white rabbit who can’t seem to ever escape a pesky black rabbit will either keep kids on their toes to find out the ending or have them feeling pretty proud about figuring it all out in the first place.
Recommended Ages: 1 to 5
$12.92, available at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Black-Rabbit-Philippa-Leathers/9780763657147-item.html" target="_hplink">chapters.indigo.ca</a>
Another Brother (Matthew Cordell)
Whether or not their siblings number high or low, any big brother or sister, or their younger family members, will enjoy this amusingly illustrated and humourously told story about the trials and triumphs of a growing (and growing, and growing) family.
Recommended Ages: 2 and up
$14.43, available at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/item/0312643241-item.html?s_campaign=aff-001-1944216-Goodreads%2C+Inc-ProductCatalog-10408997-2227948" target="_hplink">chapters.indigo.ca</a>
Olive and the Big Secret (Tor Freeman)
What happens when Olive is entrusted with an all-important secret but can’t quite keep it to herself? Little kids will love the story, and parents will appreciate a gently explored teachable moment about trust, lying and keeping confidences.
Recommended Ages: 3 to 6
$13.87, available at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Olive-Big-Secret-Tor-Freeman/dp/076366149X" target="_hplink">amazon.ca</a>
Chopsticks (Amy Krouse Rosenthal)
Don’t be surprised if your kids eat this story up. Two inseparable chopsticks start living separate lives and in doing so, learn about the bonds of friendship and having the fortitude to experience things on your own. Another great kids’ book by the popular author of Duck! Rabbit! Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Recommended Ages: 2 to 5
$13.36, available at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Chopsticks-Amy-Krouse-Rosenthal/dp/1423107969" target="_hplink">amazon.ca</a>
Small Bunny's Blue Blanket (Tatyana Feeney)
What happens when a treasured keepsake is tossed into the laundry? Small Bunny isn’t so sure, and just like little kids everywhere, the worry is whether ‘blue blanket’ will ever be the same soft sweet comfort it’s always been. (Spoiler alert…the answer is, of course, yes.) It’s a great story for little kids who find it hard to let go of their ‘lovies.’
Recommended Ages: 1 and up
$23.99, available at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/item/9780375970870-item.html?s_campaign=adv-shoptoit-books-listing-product" target="_hplink">chapters.indigo.ca</a>
Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit Colors Primer (Jennifer Adams)
Calling it a ‘primer’ is a bit of a stretch, but the fun images and key elements that are covered in these babe and toddler designated ‘Coles Notes’ versions of classic novels—including Romeo and Juliet (yes, really), Jane Eyre and Dracula—are what we love about the BabyLit series.
Recommended Ages: 1 and up
$10, available at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Alice-Wonderland-Little-Master-Carroll-Jennifer-Adams-Alison-Oliver/9781423624776-item.html?__lang=en-CA&ref=pinterest%3au%3ashare%3aitem_page&s_campaign=pinterest%3au%3ashare%3aitem_page&cookieCheck=1" target="_hplink">chapters.indigo.ca</a>
Seven Blind Mice (Ed Young)
An old favourite finding a resurgence at book stores, this clever story about seven mice who can’t make up their mind over what they are seeing (their blindness isn’t literal but figurative) will keep kids captivated (even the ones who have already figured out the riddle).
Recommended Ages: 2 to 5
$16.93, available at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Seven-Blind-Mice-Ed-Young/dp/0399222618" target="_hplink">amazon.ca</a>
Sofia the First (Catherine Hapka)
Cinderella is making a modern-day comeback with Disney’s new series Sofia the First and while we occasionally wince at princess stereotypes in traditional stories, Sofia has some serious spunk—which we think will grab the attention of little girls everywhere.
Recommended Ages: 3 to 5
$13.30, available at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Sofia-The-First-Catherine-Hapka-Grace-Lee/9781423169864-item.html" target="_hplink">chapters.indigo.ca</a>
Without You (Genevieve Cote)
Winner of Canada’s Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, this adorably illustrated story about two friends who have a falling out touches reassuringly on the give and take that occurs in any true friendship—even one between a bunny and a pig.
Recommended Ages: 2 to 5
$12.37, available at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Without-You-Genevieve-Cote/dp/1554536200" target="_hplink">amazon.ca</a>
Too Tall Houses (Gianna Marino)
While the main story is a visual of (literal) one-upmanship between two bunnies who keep upsizing their home to counter their carrot-eating counterpart, the moral that might make sense to kids is that nothing compares to having a kind and loving friend. (Though today’s real estate investors might disagree with that statement.)
Recommended Ages: 3 to 5
$18, available at <a href="http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670013142,00.html" target="_hplink">penguin.ca</a>
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