Patch Picks: Best Children's Books

In honor of National Reading Month, Patch visited and asked Branch Supervisor and Senior Librarian Beverly Hladky to recommend five of her favorite children’s books. 

“Each book has its own personality.  Combine it with your spirit and personality to make the characters come to life," said Hladky. "You’ve got to come alive and your child will adapt to your energy and enthusiasm."

Here are Hladky's picks:

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein  (all ages)

Silverstein’s tender classic is a simple story about a boy and a tree who has a gift for giving, offering him food (apples), entertainment (serving as a mini playground for him) and comfort (a place to sit and rest).  As he grows older, the tree continues to happily give in any way she can.  After four decades, the book – written in 1964 – remains on Amazon’s Top 40 bestseller list for children. 

“For me, this book is the ultimate gift.  I’ve read it countless times and I still can’t read it without crying!  The tree is the true definition of what love is.”

• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle  (4-8 years old)

There’s no storyline, but kids love the large double-page spreads and colorful collage-like animals reflected in this book which emulate animal movements (think giraffes, monkeys and elephants).  The repetitive text asks, “Can you do it?” leading children to act out and mimic the movements on the pages.

“Eric Carle has other books which have been more popular, but this is my favorite.  This is my ‘bible’ – my go-to book for storytime.  This is the book that gets them moving; it’s so interactive and just love acting out the bright beautiful pictures, while yelling ‘I can do it’!”.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff  (4-8 years)

A small – albeit bossy – mouse wears out a young boy by asking him for lots of favors (cookie, milk, straw!).  Joffe Numeroff also penned the equally amusing “If You Give a Moose a Muffin” and “If You Give a Pig a Pancake”. 

“The series started with this book.  The mouse gets a little greedy, but he’s small, cute and sweet so you can’t help but love him!  And what’s great about this book is that once it ends, it starts all over…”

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems   (2-8 years)

The storyline, text and illustrations are all very simple.  The bus driver – who has to step away from his bus for a bit – has one request from his audience: “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus”.  Throw in a determined, headstrong, mischievous bird and you’ve got a character that many children can relate to!

“This is a very basic book that is absent of any fancy drawings, yet the kids love it.  With each page I read aloud, “Let me drive the bus!” and they all get so revved up shouting “No!”  Mo Willems is just a funny guy – he’s got a great outlook on life.  If someone is down, I suggest they log onto his website!”

• Ellen Tebbits, Ribsy and Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary  (8-12 years)

Ramona Geraldine Quimby of Portland, Oregon is always up to something.  Ribsy Huggins is the dog – and best friend – of Ramona’s neighbor Henry Huggins.  Third-grader Ellen Tebbits also lives in the neighborhood.  With these three, every day is a block party!  Cleary, who has won many awards, including the Newbery Medal in 1984 for “Dear Mr. Crenshaw” and a Newbery Honor for “Ramona Quimby: Age 8” – has had her works published in every decade from 1950 to 1999.

“I couldn’t pick just one of these books.  Although they are not a series per se, you’ve got to – and will want to – read all of them.  When I was younger, I liked that we shared the same first name!  But once I started reading her books, I realized that her work is simply timeless.”