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+25 votes

OFF-TOPIC: My 2-year-old daughter loves books, so I'm always on the lookout for good children's books. She particularly likes books with animals, but any recommendations are welcome! If you remember a good book from your childhood, please post it as an answer here!

(I'm hoping to get a diverse set of responses, and excited to see what books international students might mention... although hopefully written in English, or with an English-language translation!)

asked in CSC305 Fall 2022 by (4.6k points)

21 Answers

+14 votes

The Rainbow Fish

answered by (1 point)
+6

You suggested one that I hadn't seen before -- looks great!

+14 votes

The Cat in the Hat

answered by (1 point)
+6

Read many times already! Certainly a classic...

+13 votes

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima (it's a fan favorite, I hear)

answered by (1 point)
+6

Narwhal -- the unicorn of the sea!

+13 votes

I adored Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," and his poetry anthologies are also superb. Of those, I personally think "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is among his best.

answered by (1 point)
+6

I also enjoyed Where the Sidewalk Ends as a youth. We do have a copy, and she probably is getting old enough to enjoy it soon!

+13 votes

Two that I remember from my own childhood, though both are fairly common: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

answered by (1 point)
+7

Yes, these are fun - we have these in our collection, and she enjoys them!

+13 votes

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a good story. A staple of my bedtimes when younger.

answered by (1 point)
+6

I've heard of that one, but we haven't read it to her yet. Thanks for the recommendation!

+13 votes

Charlotte's Web

answered by (1 point)
+8

Certainly a childhood classic, but I wonder if she's old enough for it yet...
She likes pigs and spiders, though, so it may be time!

+13 votes

“Green eggs and ham” is great

answered by (1 point)
+6

One of my favorites too! I like most of the Dr. Seuss books, although some are better than others.

+13 votes

I don't have a book recommendation, but working in the library taught me that we have a large children's book section on the first floor! It has yellow shelf-end labels (as opposed to the normal beige), so it's easy to spot!

answered by (1 point)
+8

Good reminder that we could be taking advantage of Augustana's library, as well as the local public libraries!

+12 votes

A Dog Named Haku

answered by (1 point)
+6

You suggested one that I hadn't seen before -- looks very interesting. I like the Nepali connection!

+12 votes

Goodnight Moon is a super relaxing bedtime story.

answered by (1 point)
+7

Yes, certainly a classic. She especially likes the "cow jumping over the moon" page.

+12 votes

Hop-o'-My-Thumb

answered by (1 point)
+7

Wow -- I wasn't anticipating a fairy tale written in 1697! Very interesting recommendation!

+12 votes

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

answered by (1 point)
+7

I've read that one, and it is a touching book... but I confess it also makes me sad, and the relationship in the book feels so one-sided. So I have some reservations...

+12 votes

The story of Ferdinand

answered by (1 point)
+7

Ooh - that looks like a good one! I appreciate the pacifism over violence message.

+12 votes

I realize I am a little late to this but I really wanted to add "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" which is a great book not only for children but for people our age as well! I read this book recently (got it around my 18th birthday) and it truly has some great meanings behind it and relatability!

answered by (1 point)
+6

Indeed -- such fun illustrations!

+12 votes

Corduroy by Don Freeman

answered by (1 point)
+7

She has several other books about Teddy bears, but I hadn't heard of this one before... will have to take a look.

+4

I am pretty sure there are several different Corduroy books as well. Like a Halloween themed one Christmas etc.

+11 votes

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig and Blue Hat Green Hat were favorites of mine as a kid.

answered by (1 point)
+7

We haven't read Blue Hat, Green Hat, although we have read some others by Sandra Boynton. The Three Little Wolves one looks like a lot of fun too... have to check it out!

+11 votes

My mom is a daycare teacher and all of those kids love the Llama Llama books.

answered by (1 point)
+8

Ah, I've heard of these, but not read them. It's hard to go wrong with a llama. We should look into these more...

+5

Llama llama red pajama is amazing.

+11 votes

Olivia Saves the Circus. This book always made me and my parents laugh.

answered by (1 point)
edited by
+9 votes

clifford the big red dog

answered by (1 point)
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