Crafts & Fun

Baby Books

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1947), HarperCollins.
The quiet poetry of Wise Brown’s words have lulled generations of children to sleep.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969), Philomel/Penguin.
This modern classic encourages children to “feel” what the vibrant illustrations reveal through innovative die-cuts.

Picture Books (3–8)

Curious George by Margaret and H.A. Rey (1941), Houghton Mifflin.
Symbolizing the joyful and unwitting monkey in all small children, George is still going strong after more than 60 years, and has never been out of print.

Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois (1986), Kids Can Press.
Created after author Bourgeois heard Hawkeye Pierce describe his extreme claustrophobia in “turtle terms” on an old rerun of M*A*S*H, Franklin the turtle reassures children that it’s OK to be afraid.
Listen now!

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (1986), Firefly Books.
This sentimental favourite speaks of the devotion between parent and child.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985), Houghton Mifflin.
This book won the Caldecott Medal for its majestic illustrations and simple but impassioned story about how believing keeps us young at heart.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, 1902.
First written in a letter to amuse a sick child, this quintessential cautionary tale has been gently and humorously warning young readers about the consequences of misbehaving for over a century now.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963), HarperCollins.
Despite the controversy it stirred in the ’60s over whether the scary Wild Things should be shared with children, this award winner continues to find allies in
children and parents the world over.

First Readers (4–9)

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (1957), Random House.
Master of rhyme Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) created this book in response to an article in Life magazine that lamented the use of boring reading primers in school. The fun, nonsensical verse and large, bright illustrations single-handedly killed Dick and Jane.

Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel (from 1970), HarperCollins.
These wise and funny stories about best friends — written by one of the most highly honoured children’s book creators of all time — have inspired children to enjoy the pleasure of reading on their own.

Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne (from 1992), Random House.
Fascinating facts, the intrigue of time travel and easy-to-read short chapters all combined to change the world of first novels forever. Eager second-graders can’t seem to get enough of Jack and Annie’s adventures, flying through the 28 books.

Mid-Grade (8–12)

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1908.
The feisty red-headed orphan, outspokenly passionate about life, has become a Canadian icon.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (1952), HarperCollins.
As fresh as it was 50 years ago, this engaging story still has the power to mesmerize with its lessons about friendship and life told through the characters of Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig.

Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (1998), Raincoast Books.
The first — and the best — book in the series, published in Canada as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was rejected by several publishers before it took the world by storm. This undisputed literary phenomenon is credited with getting kids to read again (and inspiring their parents to read the same books!). They are, bar none, the best-selling books in history, having sold more than 200
million copies to date.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950), HarperCollins.
The magic of Narnia, and its epic battle between good and evil, has won over generations with its blend of adventure, humour, fantasy and allegory.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne (1926), Penguin.
Milne’s whimsical works about the beloved “bear of little brain” and his friends in the 100 Acre Wood, continue to enchant kids and parents with their ability to find wonder and mystery in the most ordinary things.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 1900.
Described as the first truly American fairy tale, it’s one of the most-read children’s books of all time.

Alice Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865.
What began as a story told to the real Alice (the daughter of a colleague) at a picnic became a children's book unparalleled for its satire and wit.

Young Adult (10+)

The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994), Random House.
With wide appeal to mid-grade, young adult and adult readers, this “cultural lightning rod” has sparked passionate discussion about the utopian society it depicts.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977), HarperCollins.
The powerful tale of prota-gonists Jess and Leslie, which illustrates how friendship can transcend death, has become required reading for young students.

Stephanie Simpson McLellan has reviewed children’s books for Today’s Parent for four years. Her first book, The Chicken Cat, won the Mr. Christie and Ruth Schwartz children’s book awards.

Originally published in Today's Parent, October 2004