Hello and Happy Sunday!
My mom I spent the entire day outside enjoying the sun, the park and great conversations while watching my son playing at the playground. It was warm and sunny today and it seems everybody else had the same idea than us. It was okay however, because the park is large and people can spread out nicely without lying on each others blankets. While my mom bought something to drink and pastries my son and I saw one of the public bookcase that are in Coburg. I think this is a wonderful idea, especially on a day like this. People grabbed a book and headed to the park to read in the sun. Perfection! This particular public bookcase is kept very clean with a great variety of books. There is also one shelf with children’s books and my son picked out Finding Nemo and carried it proudly and held like a trophy until he wanted me to read it to him in the park. All this got me inspired to write about five books my son loves these days and that I think are really well illustrated and keep him captivated for quite some time.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I wrote a review about this book already because it is one of my favorite books for kids.
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. I think I don’t have to tell anyone why Winnie the Pooh is simply the best. My son loves this little bear and while I read to him I enjoy the inspirational quotes Winnie comes up with while explaining life the way he sees it. Just simple, beautiful and precious.
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” – Winnie the Pooh.
Oh Wie Schön ist Panama by Janosch. My son loves loves loves this book. Of course I have my copy of the book from when I was a child and my parents read it to us in the evening. Yay, for parents who read to their children! All these little stories by Janosch are illustrated in a way that make me instantly feel cozy and at home and remind me of the time when I used to read to my siblings ever single night.
Der Maulwurf Grabowski by Luis Murschetz. I have so many great memories about this story and the book. Since reading it to my son he wants to find this little mole outside in the dirt and digs for it. “He has to live somewhere over there,” he says while putting his tiny hands in the dirt trying to find Grabowski. Actually, have you ever seen a real mole? I have only seen a dead one once on a hiking trip. Weird looking little fellas but oh so cute in this story.
Frederick by Leo Lionni. Lastly, I want to share this children’s book that I knew by heart as a kid. My mom told me that I wanted to hear this story every single day. I also remember that there was a copy at our doctor’s office and when I was sick and we were stuck in the waiting room [sometimes with appointment for a long long time that felt like forever when you are a child] my mom read Frederick to me. Amazing, how clearly I do remember every little detail. When I sat on my mom’s lap and she instantly made me feel more comfortable when she started reading.
“While the other field mice work to gather grain and nuts for winter, Frederick sits on a sunny rock by himself. “I gather sun rays for the cold dark winter days,” he tells them. Another day he gathers “colors,” and then “words.” And when the food runs out, it is Frederick, the dreamer and poet, whose endless store of supplies warms the hearts of his fellow mice, and feeds their spirits during the darkest winter days.”
Reading was such a huge part of my life. I just cannot imagine my life without books. I have phases when I read more and phases when I read less. From my Goodreads list or my book recommendations you might think a book (or two) are constantly glued to my hands. Well, in a way they are. I also have the Kindle App on my phone but I prefer hard copy.
So when I do find an old children’s book that my parents kept in case of grandchildren [hahaha!] in the attic I am just flooded with so many great memories and I am happy to read those books to my son. I even take him to the library with me once in a while and we look at books and he likes it. Being back in this little library, I do remember the smell of the books when I was a child. Who knows how he feels about books and reading. I just realize that he enjoys our reading routine, that he asks for his book “to read” next to me on the couch and that my favorite time of the day is when I read to him all snuggled up before he goes to bed.
Watch this amazing interview by child book illustrator Marla Frazee if you would like.
Do you read to your child or children? What are your recommendations? I would love to hear from you. Have a great week.
