The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter written by Kimberly Willis Holt and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith:

The above book is a great recommendation for a picture book for children. I would estimate it is for children in the 5-9 age range. I read it to my 8 year old son tonight. I happened to come across it today when I took my two daughters to the library. My younger daughter (2) was looking at some books and “reading” happily to herself. While my older daughter (10) who was home sick (barky type cough) was also reading a book she checked out. So, I decided to look at some books too. This one particular book caught my eye. I loved the illustrations and I actually recognize the illustrator’s name; I believe I have some books in the house made by her.

I have to say, this book was so funny! Some of the humor is a little hard for youngsters to get, but us older folks can surely appreciate the funny points. It is a clever book and it also reminded me about how my mother always would tell me, my mom taught me how to do this, that and the other…”Grannies” sure do know a LOT.  It also made me think of the fond memories of me with my own Grandma, or “Bubbi” as she was known to me.

Every so often, I enjoy writing about different good books to read to your youngsters.  I taught early childhood education for many years before becoming a parent myself and because of this, I am very choosy with the books I buy or take out from the library. I don’t like any with “bad” language, in fact, my two older children (ages 8 and 10) already know that I use to change words like “stupid” into “silly” and other such words that I felt were not appropriate. I do believe it makes a difference when parenting. My children have never “cursed” in our house and they know never to.  Some favorites to seek out for young babies/toddlers are the following authors/illustrators:

Eric Carle

Margaret Wise Brown

Sandra Boynton

Byron Barton

Dr. Seuss books are also great for ages 4+ (even my older children enjoy hearing the classic Dr. Seuss books such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat and the Hat, The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Red Fish, Blue, Fish, 1 Fish, 2 Fish, The Lorax, Maisy Head, Daisy Head, etc.

So, enjoy reading to your child/ren every day. In fact, I even still read chapter books to my middle child, he is already 8 and can read very well, but enjoys when his MOM reads to him, it is special bonding time.

Have any other good books to share? Let us know! Thanks!