Some time ago, I wrote about five books for small children that my kids and I absolutely love. I now would like to add another book to this list.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury)
Oh no! We forgot to shut the door!
The premise of the book is quite simple. A dad brings his three kids into the countryside with the aim of finding a bear. The group are totally unprepared for what lies ahead as they clamber past all sorts of obstacles during their quest. (I can relate very much to the dad in this book). Much to their surprise, they find a bear, and what follows is an exiting race back home with the grizzly on their tail. It’s got everything: repetition, actions, fear and humour. The drawings are superb, particularly as the kids reach the entrance to the cave. I was amazed by how quickly my toddler kids picked up the narrative and were able to recite the whole story verbatim.
Here’s an additional treat: in the following video, Michael Rosen himself plays out the tale. It’s interesting to watch as I use a very different style when reading the story to my kids.
If you know of other small children’s books that really deserve a read, please let me know.
Passive Impressions 
“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
#1, now 24, and I read it over and over again from when he was about three. #2 and #3 followed subsequently into this adventure.
Mr Sendak has written a few other gems as well. Just now I remember the “Night Kitchen” and “the Green Book”.
The titles might be distorted, since I’ve read most of them only in Swedish.
Yes I have this book. For some reason my kids didn’t take to it as much, but it’s great in the way it gets into the mind and imagination of a small boy. The beginning is great – “I’ll eat you up”, he says to his mum and he is then duly rewarded with a trip up to his bedroom. It has this great flow about it as well – never stopping once. I used to have a lot of dreams like this when I was a kid: mainly of the Calvin and Hobbes “Spaceman Spiff” variety.
We loved “Olivia” books by Ian Falconer.
I’m not sure where you’re from, but one of Canada’s favorite authors is Robert Munsch. All of his books are fun to read outloud and fun to listen to. I can’t pick a favorite, they’re all funny, but “We Share Everything” and “Stephanie’s Ponytail” come to mind quickly. He also has some serious ones like “Love you Forever”. One of the more famous ones is “The Paper Bag Princess” and “Good Families Don’t” which my boy loved because it was about farting.
Oh – I must look out for this! My sis lives in Canada, so she might be able to do a bit of research for me.
That book about farting reminds me of another book I got for the kids “Dirty Bertie” – I’m still not certain if it counts among one of my favourites, however my twins love it. It’s all about a little toddler who picks bogeys out of his nose. Truly disgusting stuff, but the kids love it.
Sven Nordqvist, swedish author and illustrator, has written several books about the old man Pettson and his tabby cat Findus (sometimes they’re called Festus and Mercury while translated to English). I still laugh when I read them. Mum wantted one of the books for herself one Xmas when she was in her late sixties.
The very first book is coming in a new English edition this autumn. From amazon.co.uk:
“this is the first story of the adventures of farmer Pettson and his cat Findus. Pettson wants to bake a pancake birthday cake for the cat who has three birthdays a year. But how can they get the eggs when the bull is in the way? Findus and Pettson live in a red farmhouse, with a toolshed, henhouse, garden and outside toilet. They are surrounded by the forests, fields and meadows of rural Sweden. Every picture tells a story, with a fascinating, magical world of tiny creatures. Here are little bathtubs full of mice, a bunch of telephone poles jammed into a jar, small pink striped creatures peeking over the edge of a table….”
I remember the other thread about children’s books- so many good ones! ‘Where the Wild Things Are” was a favorite of mine, too (we still have two copies). I also enjoyed “The Wind in the Willows” and the Paddington Bear books.
We had a series of illustrated encyclopedia-like books when my sister and I were little that I really liked, as well.
Other favorites were called “Timmy Mouse” and “Captain Kitty”; I still have those, too.
These are all great books, and I read your earlier thread to see what had been recommended there too. My middle boy loves Youtube ’cause he can watch it as he wants and replay the best bits over and over. He enjoyed the video you posted, and will want to watch it again later I’m sure.
Here’s a nice film of ‘Where the Wild Things Are’.
Apart from those already mentioned, my children have enjoyed books by these authors; Lauren Child, Mick Inkpen, Nick Butterworth (esp Q Pootle 5), the Ahlbergs (The Jolly Postman), Julia Donaldson and David McKee (Not Now Bernard).
Oh, I meant to post a link;
Thanks Sharon! I’ve just watched the video: it always gives a new perspective. “Where the Wild Things Are” is one of those books that connects me, in a very boyish way, to my childhood. My younger boys enjoy the book too, so it definitely has that “je ne sais quois”.. I’ve been somewhat ambivalent about writing a blog entry about the book, but the video certainly is tipping the balance!
The Mick Inkpen story about the Bear and the caterpillars – now there’s one I must do an entry on. My little boys love it!
Thanks again.