As a former teacher, I always did whatever it took to try to instill a love of reading in my students. I am a voracious reader and I did so many literary units with my struggling readers because I wanted them to see how fun reading could be. I read aloud, they took turns reading out loud, we used books on tape, and we had guest readers. I did whatever it took to get my special education students to read. You know what happened? They found, even though reading was such a struggle for most of them, that reading a book opened up entire new worlds for them. A world of entertainment, suspense, mystery, and thrills. They found, through the books we read in class, that reading could be fun!
I stumbled upon a list created from a poll taken in 1999 that listed teachers’ top 100 favorite books for children of all time! I thought parents may be interested in seeing what the top ten were. Have your kids read any of these? If not, maybe take a trip to the library and check out a few. They are excellent reads and quality literature for your children to enjoy. After all, teachers’ picked them, how bad could they be?
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, this book is for ages 9 through 12. If your child hasn’t read this childhood favorite, maybe now is the time to do it!
2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, this book is for ages 4 through 8. The book was made into a movie that does not do it justice. Check this book out!
3. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess, this book is for ages 4 through 8. I know some 35 year olds that still enjoy this book!
4. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess, another book for ages 4 through 8 year olds. Dr. Suess books are excellent for emerging readers because of the rhyming.
5. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, yet another book appropriate for ages 4 through 8. This is a favorite in our home; my oldest son is named Max. He loves that he has the same name as the little boy in the story.
6. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch, ages 4 through 8 year olds. This book, as a mother, I dare you to try to read without tearing up. I love this book and really see it more as a book for parents than children. That is just me though!
7. The Giving Tree by Shell Silverstein, for all ages! This book is a wonderful book that teaches us about the joy of giving.
8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a book appropriate for baby to preschool. This is a wonderful book to read to your preschooler, great pictures and wonderful descriptions.
9. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, a book for young adults. Many schools have this in their language arts curriculum already. A great book for young adults.
10. The Mitten by Jan Brett, a book for ages 4 through 8 year olds.
For a complete list of all 100 books selected by teachers as all time favorites, please visit the following site:
http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/catalist.html
How many has your child read?