Literacy in the Library

TOOLS FOR INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME LIFELONG READERS AND LEARNERS

Oldies But Goodies

October/November 2009

It’s fall and the weather is changing. Are you stuck inside with your toddler on a yucky day? Are you in your pajamas and don’t want to venture out? What follows is a list of what I consider “classics” that many of you probably have hanging around your house already. They are often given as gifts to new parents. Many of the old tried and true titles are chock full of materials that promote the six early literacy skills which help your toddler get ready to read. It might be time to revisit some old favorites.

Classics don’t necessarily have to be old, but they are books which seem to be shared again and again. Many contain several conceptual ideas in one book. Within fun stories, kids can learn their abcs, colors, shapes, numbers, animals, body parts, and a myriad of other beginning concepts. I find that the sign of a classic book is when you finish it, your child will ask if you can read it again, right now!

One title that immediately comes to mind is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. First published in 1969, this book introduces colors, shapes, fruits, the days of the week, insect life, a hole to make your own finger puppet, and all with a surprise ending. Most Eric Carle titles have stood the test of time. Other entertaining titles by him are: From Head to Toe, The Very Busy Spider and The Very Quiet Cricket. The great news is that many classic stories are being published in desirable modern formats. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-up Book published in 2009 is a great example.

Another classic author/illustrator for children’s books is Bill Martin. Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you see? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom are titles that provide a common reference point for many toddlers as they have shared these stories with at least one adult in their lives.

Here is a list of “classic” children’s books that I find myself returning to over and over again:
The Three Bears by Bryon Barton
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Maisy books by Lucy Cousins
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (also the pop-up edition, 2007)
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
No, David and Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood

Of course, oodles of new books are published every year. I can’t help but make predictions on what I think are instant classics. The following list contains authors whose books I believe will become instant classics. I think we will still be reading and giving these books as gifts in twenty years:
Doreen Cronin: Wiggle or Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Little Hoot or Spoon
Anything by Jan Thomas. Her books are silly, suspenseful, and fun to read over and over again, especially Rhyming Dust Bunnies and The Doghouse.
Anything by Mo Willems: Pigeon books and of course Knuffle Bunny.

My favorite early literacy skill to promote is print motivation. This is selecting books that speak to your child’s interests and demonstrate that books can be interactive and fun when read together or on their own. You can read more about the early literacy skills on our Babble, Scribble, Read web site. Have fun while reading with your little one!

By Kristi Harder, Children’s Librarian, Denver Public Library

Literacy in the Library

Oldies But Goodies

October/November 2009

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