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Peter Steinberg's Favorite Children's Books

a book list by Peter, the avid reader who runs Flashlight Worthy

shelved under Children's Books and Personal Favorites

It's hard for me to recreate a list of all my favorite children's books — it's hard for me to remember things from when I was that young. But the books below all ring a bell in some way or another and so I share them with you here.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz

Miss Hannah says:

Because we all have days like that, and we generally can't afford to move (to Australia or even to the next town) every time it happens, this is a great book. It provides a chuckle, reminds us that bad days happen to the best of us, and maybe even that it could be much worse.

A great, fun way to help children deal with a bad day, or at least survive it. Poor Alexander!

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This book also appears on Twaddle-Free Books for Preschoolers: Tsh's Top 10 Favorites

 
 
Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Karen Kennedy says:

This book was controversial when it came out — adults thought that Max was too badly behaved and his monsters were too scary. But generations of young children know best — this book connects perfectly with a young child's fears and his ability to conquer them.

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This book also appears on:

The Best Picture Books about Not-So-Scary Monsters

More Twaddle-Free Books for Preschoolers: The Runners-Up

The National Education Association's Top 100 Children's Books

Older Caldecott Winners You Don't Want To Miss

Picture Books with Mischevious Protagonists

A Working Mom's Survival Guide

 
 
Horton Hears A Who!

Horton Hears A Who!

by Dr. Seuss

Like most every avid reader in America, I've read the vast majority of Dr. Seuss — I even have a fairly extensive collection of them as an adult. Horton... always has been — and always will — my favorite.

I'm not sure I can explain why. Maybe it's the absurdity of the town so small that it fits on a mote of dust. Maybe it's the way in which the small birds gang up on the massive elephant. Maybe it's the impossibility of finding that one single flower in and among the millions upon millions.

Actually, now that I think about it? I think it's because it's one of the few Seuss that has such an intricate plot: a beginning, a middle, an end. Good guys, bad guys, observers. Impossible odds and impossible situations. And it all works out in the end. (Oops. Did I just give it away? Sorry.)

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This book also appears on Transcending Differences: Interspecies Friendships in Children's Books

 
 
Big Max

Big Max

by Kin Platt, illustrated by Robert Lopshire

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Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton

Leah Smith from Burtonsville, MD says:

If you haven't read this adorable book then you are probably wondering why I included it on a list about cool female characters in children's books. It's because the steam shovel's name is Mary Ann. If you haven't read this charming story, what are you waiting for?

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This book also appears on:

Books Featuring the Coolest of the Cool Girls

More Twaddle-Free Books for Preschoolers: The Runners-Up

 

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