What we’re reading – my kids favorites

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It sounds silly…but sometimes I forget to read to my kids. I mean, we read at least one story every night before bed, but I sometimes forget the magic of reading during the day. On a day when the kids are out of control or it’s tantrum city over here, it seems that pulling out a book and just kinda reading over the chaos, eventually gets everyone to calm down and focus

My 5 year old daughter and I have come to love the time when my littlest naps because we’ll grab a blanket and read 5-10 books together. I love that she often requests to go to the library. It’s one of our favorites. She heads straight to the Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious books. She knows exactly where they are. 🙂

It’s definitely more of a challenge to get my son to read. He’s in first grade and always proclaims that “I am not into fiction anymore. I only like non-fiction.” lol. It’s true too! He walks right past all of the picture books at the library and heads directly to the non-fiction. He loves reading about the Titanic, ship wrecks and Nascar. We do have a few favorite go to picture books that he’ll consistently request that I’m going to mention here…after reading his Titanic book of course.

I basically haven’t read an adult book in 7 years. Is that horrible? I would love to read…but always find myself sewing or making when I have an extra minute. I’ve spent the last 7 years reading 1001 kids books though.

These are just some of our favorites. I’m not an expert or an educator, I just know what my kids like!

Here we go!

1. Bernice Gets Carried Away – I ADORE this ones illustrations (see below). Such a cute story about changing your perspective to change your day!
2. Fancy Nancy – My daughter has loved this one for years! If your daughter is all things girlie, she’ll love this one!
3. Pinkalicious – I think the title speaks for itself, lol!
4. Not Quite Narwhal – This is such a cute little story for a unicorn loving little lady.
5. How to Babysit A Grandma – My kids adore spending time with their Grandma. This book is so clever and cute!
6. The Berenstain Bears – No Girls Allowed – I grew up on this series and my kids usually choose at least one Berenstain Bears book to read at bedtime. A classic that never gets old.
7. I Had A Favorite Dress – My sister in law introduced us to this one! If you have a little girl who gets attached to a certain, dress, headband, top, etc. this is the story for her! Also so cute for mamas who sew. 😉
8. Madeline – We just introduced this classic to my 5 year old and she loves it!

1. We’re All Wonders – An adorable shortened version of the movie Wonder. This is a great conversation starter to talk about how everyone is made differently. The best illustrations too!
2. How to Train a Train – This has been a favorite of my son since he was 2! The cutest story for train lovers. My daughter even loves this one!
3. Steam Train, Dream Train – Obviously, my son loves trains!
4. Waiting Is Not Easy – Every kid needs this one! A great message and super cute story. Now that my son can read, this is one he’ll actually choose to read to us every once in a while.
5. What Do People Do All Day? – I used to read this as a kid and was so excited when my Aunt bought it for us years ago! The kids all love looking at the amazing illustrations!
6. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! – This one is short and sweet and the kids think it’s hilarious!
7. Usborne Big Picture Atlas – For your little one who loves non-fiction like mine, lol!
8. Fly Guy Presents: Dinosaurs – My first grader loves this whole series. You can find these cute books on all different topics like, weather, sharks, space, firefighters, and many more. They are educational but short and sweet.

1. All Better! – This book is adorable! It comes with sturdy little bandaids that you use throughout the book to fix the animal’s boo boos.
2. In My Heart – I love the illustrations in this one and the conversations it has started about all our different feelings.
3. Where’s Spot? – I had to throw in this classic because it has been a favorite of all of my kids at some point.
4. Heads – I love all of these books by Matthew Fleet. They have big, chunky tabs that little hands can pull and explore and also different textures and flaps throughout.
5. Goodnight Moon – Another classic that all of my kids fell in love with at a very young age.
6. Hello in There! – The cutest book by the same author of In My Heart. Your little one will love this if you have a baby on the way. They get to peek inside momma’s belly as the baby grows!
7. Romeo & Juliet – BabyLit has a whole series of classic books turned board book for baby. They are all beautiful!
8. What a Wonderful World – Sing your way through this one! Beautiful illustrations set to the tune of Louis Armstrong’s, What a Wonderful World!