That First Book That Got You Hooked On Reading

When I became a mother, I knew I would pass my love of books down to my daughter. I remember when I was pregnant with her dragging out all my childhood books and reading them and even buying books on tape (yes in 1994, I still had a functioning Walk-Man that my grandpa had gotten me when I was 13) to which I would stretch the ear phones over my extended belly so she could hear the stories. When she was born all the way up until she could read on her own, I read to her. We read the first two Harry Potter books together and after that she became an avid reader and chose her own books from the library and book store. When my son came along, sadly my Walk Man had finally retired but I still read to him.

Looking back, I read so many books as a child but there are a few that just are stellar stand-outs; the books that made me want to read. I had tons of Golden Story books such as Pokey The Little Puppy and The Little Engine That Could but my absolute favorites-the ones I even re-read as an adult are limited to about seven. I hope that if you've not read these to your own children that you do! If you're a kid looking for a great book-any of these will be an adventure waiting to happen!

         A Book of Fairy Tales had many of the stories written by The Brothers Grimm. This is still one of my favorite books and the artwork is just gorgeous. It had all the favorites from Little Red Riding Hood  and Sleeping Beauty to some of the lesser known stories like The White Cat and Hop O' My Thumb. I am surprised the pages aren't worn out from reading it so much. It's a definite winner with children from the ages of four on up to ten.

 

If you've never read Ronald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory it's a MUST! It may not include the crazy soundtrack, but this book is filled with Charlie Bucket's adventures with the wonderful Willy Wonka and his factory.

 

 

Who would have thought that a spider would be a pig's best friend? Charlotte's Web is a darling story but it has a lot of humor and teaches the lessons of friendship, tolerance, and life. 

Runaway Ralph is full of fun and adventure all from the perspective of a mouse. Children of all ages have giggled and loved Ralph the Mouse and all the misadventures he finds himself in. 

 Childhood can be awkward but no one is more out of the box than Ramona Quimby. Ramona has a very unique way of viewing the world around her and doesn't fail to fall into some adventures of her own.

 Enter a world of fantasy with Peter and his Lost Boys courtesy of J.M.Barrie. Peter takes Wendy and her brothers on a fun filled adventure filled with pixies, the dreaded Captain Hook, Native Indians, and Mermaids.

 For those who love just a tad bit of spooky with their stories, Bunnicula will have your child in stitches. Something is going on with the pet rabbit who seems to be a bit strange and something is draining the color from all the carrots.

 

This book was a favorite of my pre-teen years. The dollhouse family is much more than just stuffing and pretty wallpaper. Gail must find a way to help save her grandmother's home as well as figure out the secret of the dolls.

 

 

 

Check these out in your local library today! You won't be disappointed!

 

In the words of Lavar Burton from Reading Rainbow, "Take a look,  it's in a book..."