06 December 2011

TTT: Childhood Favorites


It's been a while since I participated in this. But this week's Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and the Bookish is favorite books from our childhood. Somehow Christmas seems like the perfect time to make this list. Not entirely sure what span of time is considered "childhood," so we're sticking with books I read while under the age of ten.

1. Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton—Are you familiar with Sandra Boynton books? If you have small children (like, babies) go look her up. They are adorable. Moo, Baa, La La La, The Going to Bed Book, But Not the Hippopotamus, and Barnyard Dance are probably my favorites.

2. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown—Another one I'm sure began when I was very small, this book has beautiful illustrations. And it's just so calming with a slow rolling rhythm and rhyme. "By the big red barn in the great, green field, there was a pink pig who was learning to squeal. And a great big horse, and a very little horse. And on the barn was a weather vane, of course. A golden, flying horse."

3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault—A great way to learn the alphabet.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss—I have a thing for rhythmic, rhyming books for children, apparently; this is four for four. But really, how could Dr. Seuss not make the list? Genius wordsmith. Fox in Socks, Green Eggs and Ham, and The Alphabet Book should also be mentioned, but the Grinch will always be my favorite.

5. If I Had a Sheep by Mick Inkpen—I don't actually remember the contents of this book. I just know my sister loved it so much that she had the entire thing memorized by the time she was two. That's some great children's literature right there.

6. Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene—I reread a few of these a couple years ago and was in hysterics at some of the vocabulary. But I read as many as I possibly could growing up. Perhaps the beginning of my love for good mystery novels?

7. American Girl books—All of them. Literally, I'm pretty sure I read all the books for all the girls when I was nine. Of course, now there are twenty-seven more I've never heard of, but the originals? I know them. And they are awesome. (I wanted to be Samantha. Didn't everybody?)

8. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery—My aunt Lisa purchased Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea for me and read them out loud. I love these books, as most girls do, and I will always love the memory of reading them with her. And watching the movie.

9. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary—Plus all the other Ramona books. And Henry Huggins! And Emily's Runaway Imagination. That one is great. I always love the scene where she tries to whitewash a cow. And walks her dog, Plince.

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling—Really the first three should be here. But I will never forget Mrs. Roeding's voice as she read this book to my fifth grade class. She is the reason these characters live in my mind.

Childhood favorites? Ready, go. 

8 comments:

  1. Okay, yes.

    I love Sandra Boynton. I would read Pajama Time to my little sister growing up. ("Pajama to the left, pajama to the right, jamma jamma jamma jamma jamma time!")

    Need I tell you that I was a serious Nancy Drew reader? Come on. Obviously.

    Of course I wanted to be Samantha. My mom made my doll a whole wardrobe. I still have it all somewhere in their house.

    Anne of Green Gables is one of my happy places.

    My mom used to read my sister and I the Ramona books when we were little. I love them still.

    And seriously? Harry Potter is a staple of my life.

    One of my favorites that's not on your list? Jan Brett books, specifically Trouble with Trolls. She came out with a new Christmas book, and I'm waffling on whether or not to buy it even though I have no children.

    PS--I was so excited to see a new blog post from you. You've been missed. And I'm super excited to see you when you're here.

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  2. Sister and me. Sister and me.

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  3. I wanted to be Molly. Maybe it was the fact that she had glasses and braids? I thought she was cool.
    I love your lists, they are so great. I am reminded of books I love and find new ones to enjoy.
    I have a lot of favorite children's books, but a couple that were the very favorite:
    -Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina, I loved shaking my fists along with the monkeys
    -Heckedy Peg by Don and Audrey Wood. Really, anything by the Woods. Beautiful illustrations, rhymes, what is not to love?

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  4. I looooved reading "Mrs. Gigglebelly is Coming For Tea" when I was little. Actually I still do. Totally a favorite. Oh!! and the Frances books. "A Birthday for Frances" and "A Bargain For Frances." Classic.

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  5. Man I love those books!!! and the Moo Baa Laa Laa is a favorite! I think it will have to be a must have when I have kids.

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  6. Frog and Toad (have you seen the musical? "I'm the Snail with the Mail" is hilarious),

    The Serendipity books,

    My Turn on Earth.

    I really don't remember much more than that. Pretty sad.

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  7. I DID have it memorized...I wish I still did. Maybe I'll do that over the break. I like your list. The only one I don't adore are the Nancy Drew series; I never read any of those.

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