Last week, published the first part of the Top 10 Books for Children. Here’s part two.
6. Harold and the Purple Crayon (1998) by Crockett Johnson
Imagination is powerful and the possibilities are limitless. This is what this book conveys to every child and adult who reads it. The story begins with Harold thinking and deciding to go for a walk with a purple crayon on his hand. Harold draws the horizon, the moon, a path to the forest, a tree, a dragon and more. Finally, he finds his way home, goes to his bed and goes to sleep. Readers will find that with just a purple crayon, Harold is able to do anything, make anything, and go everywhere. Indeed, the power of one’s imagination is endless.
7. No, David! (1998) by David Shanond
Your little kid will surely relate with the main character, David for he or she could have done similar deeds as that of David. David’s mother tells him “No!” as he commits one misdeed to another. He reaches for a cookie from a jar, runs naked down the street, puts colours on the walls, tracks mud on the carpet and a whole lot more. But after all that he has done, at the end his mother assures him that she loves him. The meaningful story and the funny illustrations make this a 1999 Caldecott Honour book.
8. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears (2004) by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon
If you want to read a story with a moral lesson to your child, then this one should be part of your collection. This 1976 Caldecott Medal winner is a story from Africa about a mosquito who tells a lie that influences everyone in the jungle until the sun refuses to shine. Because of the darkness, the animals in the forest deliberate the problem and finds out the root cause. Your child will learn that telling a lie will have negative consequences. The colourful pictures and illustrations are also a plus in this book.
9. When I Miss You (The Way I Feel Books) (2006) by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson
Are you looking for a book to help your child deal with separation anxiety? This picture book is one that I recommend for you to read to him or her. It features a guinea pig who talks about his feelings of being separated from his parents because they have to work or they have to travel to another place. He also rationalizes that his parents need to be away but they will soon be back for him. In addition to this, the colourful pictures vividly illustrate the story making this one a must-have for your child’s library.
10. Tikki Tikki Tembo (2007) by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent
This story tells how Chinese parents give their firstborn sons a very long name and this why the main character is named Tikki tikki tembo-no- sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. It narrates the story of how Tikki Tikki Tembo has fallen into a well and how he is saved by an Old Man after quite a long time. It has a moral lesson for your child to learn and it has beautiful and line and wash illustrations that give it an Oriental look.
Do you know of any more great books you have read as a child or have read for your child? Post a comment here.
