You all know that I am a huge book lover and thankfully, because I’ve read to them since they were babies, my kids are big readers too. It’s one of my favorite things to share with them: a love of books. Today I have welcomed Cassie from Culture Coverage to guest post on See Mom Click and share her must-have children’s books.
Reading is a vital skill that all children need to learn. In addition to teaching their children how to read, parents who love reading usually want to pass their love of reading on to their children. Reading to children at bedtime is one excellent way to nurture a love of books. As children get older and can read themselves, there are some wonderful books that are likely to encourage them to read even more.
These six books should be on every child’s bookshelf (or Kindle). Some are more relevant to younger children, while others are aimed at older children, but they are all fantastic books.
6 Books Every Child Should Have On Their Bookshelf
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic children’s picture book written by Eric Carle. Carle also designed and illustrated it in the now iconic collage style. The book tells the story of a caterpillar who eats almost everything he can find, pupates and emerges from his pupa as a butterfly.
The board book of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is interactive, as it features “holes” that the caterpillar has eaten through things. It is also an educational book that features counting, different foods, the days of the week and the life stages of a butterfly. All these features make it a great book for children who are learning to read as well as a brilliant bedtime story.
Harry Potter Book Series by J.K. Rowling
Written by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series is a collection of seven fantasy novels. The novels are about a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they contend with the evil Lord Voldemort while attending the wizarding school Hogwarts. The series is recommended for children who are eight or older (although you may want to use your judgment for the later books).
The Harry Potter series is an exciting collection of adventure books. The books are not recommended for very young children because they can be a bit scary at times, but they’re very exciting for older children. They also have some positive role models that children can look up to.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Another classic children’s book, The Cat in the Hat was written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel under his pen name Dr. Seuss. The story is about a tall, anthropomorphic cat who visits two children, Sally and her brother, when their mother is out. The Cat does various tricks to entertain the children and wrecks the house in the process. He then pulls out a machine that cleans the mess and leaves just before the children’s mother gets home.
Geisel wrote The Cat in the Hat in an attempt to give children a more entertaining book to help them learn to read, as books such as those featuring Dick and Jane didn’t seem to encourage children to read. It appears that Geisel was on the mark with his book, as children still adore it more than 50 years later. It’s also a wonderful bedtime story.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web is a children’s novel that was written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. It tells the story of a pig, Wilbur, who is friends with a barn spider, Charlotte. When the farmer decides he wants to slaughter Wilbur, Charlotte writes complimentary messages about Wilbur in her webs to persuade the farmer not to slaughter Wilbur. This book is suitable for children who are seven or older.
This children’s classic is full of positive messages about friendship and love. While it’s not scary, there is a sad aspect to the story. Nevertheless, it is an encouraging story overall and well worth your child’s attention.
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
Aesop’s Fables is a collection of fables that are attributed to Aesop, a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece. The book is filled with tales that teach children about various virtues and values. They include classics such as The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Fox and the Grapes, and The Hare and the Tortoise.
This is a wonderful book to help young children learn about various positive character traits in an entertaining manner. Children often revisit the fables that resonate with them, so Aesop’s Fables encourages younger children to start reading. As it is a collection of stories, it is a lovely book for bedtime stories.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Written by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a novel about the adventures of a boy called Charlie Bucket who wins a tour of Willy Wonka’s extraordinary chocolate factory.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is filled with humor and excitement, so children usually thoroughly enjoy it. It teaches children that there are consequences for their behavior in a light-hearted manner. It also highlights how a loving family can make difficult times more bearable.
While these six books are must-haves for all children, they are not the only books all children should read. Which books do you think every child needs to read? Please let us know in the comments section.
About the Author: Cassie is a tech and entertainment blogger who writes for Culture Coverage and Secure Thoughts. She loves to read and believes that it is essential to encourage a love of reading in the next generation.
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