Books for Younger Kids

This is a basic book list with no links or pretty pictures. These are the ones that have been read and re-read in our home with much laughter, giggles and enjoyment. Most are not intended to be profound or deep stories, just pure fun and charm. I won't hate you if you don't like my list, but I will wonder if you have a sense of humor. :)


Anything by Arnold Lobel:
Frog and Toad(dry humor but still funny)
Owl at Home(very silly owl, very funny for kids)
Mouse Soup(a mouse tries to outwit a weasel who intends to eat him for soup)
Mouse Tales(more strange but funny tales)
Fables(short stories with a funny point)

The Harry the Dog series by Gene Zion and he has other books too.

Dr. Seuss books deserve a read through.

Mr. Putter and Tabby books by Cynthia Rylant. (funny stories between neighbors and pets)

The Sheep series by Nancy Shaw(the best of the best!)

Anything by Richard Scarry, esp. Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (a childhood favorite)

Sammy the Seal by Syd Hoff (silly fun about a seal in the city)

Morris the Moose by Bernard Wiseman(silly stories about a moose who isn't very bright)

Anything by Peter Spier (his illustrations are very engaging and detailed)

Oh What a Busy Day! by Gyo Fujikawa (Very most favorite book ever since I can remember!)

For science and nature topics, the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out series are some of the best I've seen for young children.

My First Little House books are full color picture books which I love. Best way to introduce young kids to Laura Ingalls books.

Other favorites:
Thy Friend, Obadiah by Brinton Turkle(a Quaker boy in colonial Nantucket is befriended by a seagull, also a childhood favorite of mine)

Rabbit Finds a Way by Judy Delton(hard to find, but a very good story about a rabbit who loves carrot cake)

From One to One Hundred by Teri Sloat(very well illustrated counting book)

Mr. Bumble by Kim Kennedy(endearing honeybee who fumbles his way through the hive)

Floss by Kim Lewis(a border collie story with very nice illustrations)

The Orchestra by Marc Rubin(good intro to the orchestra)

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin(not as much about the instruments, but very funny illustrations about the musicians getting dressed, one of my best favorites as well)

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Hungry Bear by Don Wood (don't get it in a board book, the illustrations deserve a full size picture book page because they tell the story!)

Jamberry by Bruce Degen(again not the board book size, we've read this one over and over through the years, the illustrations are fun and juicy)

Amazing Machines series by Ant Parker (we have several of these and they are very well done rhyming books about vehicles)