Top Ten Children's Book to Share with Your Child

As a parent in the twenty-first century it's imperative to keep your child interested in reading. We are extremely lucky to have such a large variety of children's books readily available. Reading with a child on a regular basis will help keep your child's imagination and dreams alive. Computers, cell phones and interactive video games are great, but reading forces us to stop, think and create a picture in our minds. Children need this little bit of fantasy in their life to keep them believing in miracles. Here is a list of my family's favorite children's books. I hope you enjoy them with someone special.

1. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. A great story about the crazy town of Chewandswallow where food comes down from the sky. We've read this book so many times that I think we wore it out. This is a great favorite from age 1 to 9.

2. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. A silly, rhyming book about a man named Sam trying to get his friend to try green eggs and ham. All I can say is that we never read a Dr. Seuss book we didn't like. Dr. Seuss books are great entertainment for children up through the elementary school level.

3. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. A fun book about a boy named Max whose imagination takes him to a land where the "wild things" live. Max has a great time playing with his new imaginary friends. This book is suitable for children age 1 to at least 8.

4. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. This is a great short book for saying goodnight.Bunny says, "goodnight " to all the things in her room before she goes to sleep. You may have to read it more than once, but it really works and soon becomes a bedtime favorite. Good for ages 1 to 5.

5.Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola. A magical story about a wise old witch living in a small village. She is getting old and decides to find someone to help her with her chores. She chooses Big Anthony and silly things happen. Agreat book to share with children up to age 8 or 9.

6. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff. This is a crazy book about consequences. If you give a mouse a cookie, what will he want next? You have to pick up a copy to find out. Good for children up to age 8.

7. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. Once you read this rhyming alphabet book you'll read it over and over again. Awesome for preschool through kindergarten.

8.The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. A great story about a little boy's connection with an apple tree. The tree comforts and entertains the boy throughout his life and this makes them both happy. Appropriate for children ages 3 or 4 to 8 or 9.

9. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. This is a great bedtime story about a mom who takes care of her son and when he is grown and she is old he takes care of her. Great for toddlers and up. We can never tell our children we love them too many times!

10. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. A heart warming story about the love a child and parent have for one another. This is a book you'll want to read again and again. For ages 1 to 7.

These are some of my family's favorites. I hope you find some time to share them with your family.