There are many milestones in the lives of children: losing a first tooth, experiencing the first day of school, or even getting a new baby sister. One of the best ways to teach children about these experiences is through books. So where does one begin to decide on which books teach the lessons of everyday life the best?

The best sources of books are ones involving classic characters by classic authors. Series books such as the Little Critter, Sesame Street, Clifford, Dora the Explorer and the Berenstain Bears are the most reliable books to choose from because children already trust and love these characters, so they believe and rely on the information that the books provide. It doesn't hurt that these are entertaining books as well.

Here are a few common topics of everyday life situations that children encounter and a few books that can help parents and other adults acquaint children with the topics.

MERCER MAYER/LITTLE CRITTER BOOKS

Mercer Mayer books are always excellent reading for children. The most successful elements of these stories are that they are told in a lighthearted way in which children can relate to them. There are books written on so many real life situations that children encounter daily. A few that I would recommend include:

1)What a Bad Dream
2)Just Me and My Babysitter
3)The New Potty
4)Little Critter: My Trip to the Hospital
5)The New Baby

NORMAN BRIDWELL/CLIFFORD BOOKS

Clifford is a beloved book and cartoon character that finds himself in unusual circumstances due to his size. Clifford books are great for teaching children about new experiences because if Clifford can learn so can children.

A few Clifford books I would recommend include:

1)Clifford Visits the Hospital
2)Clifford's First Day of School
3)Clifford's Bathtime
4)Clifford's Bedtime
5)Clifford's Hiccups

SESAME STREET BOOKS/BY VARIOUS AUTHORS

Sesame Street is the classic book series to teach children about life. These books help children see that these situations are not unique to them as all of these beloved characters must deal with these issues too. Through Big Bird, Elmo and more kids can snuggle up and know that

A few Sesame Street books that I recommend include:
1)Rise and Shine by Constance Allen and David Prebenna
2)Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Brush by Che Rudko and Tom Brannon
3)A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital by Sesame Street
4)Potty Time by Parker K. Sawyer, Christopher Moroney

DORA THE EXPLORER/BYVARIOUS AUTHORS

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