1 of 12

Write now Article Tools

As a lifelong bibliophile, one of my greatest fears was that my kids wouldn't share my love of reading. Luckily, that fear was never realized and my kids have found the magic in books since they were big enough to turn the pages of board books.

Unfortunately, our tastes often diverge, with their preferences tending toward familiar characters like the Berenstain Bears and Arthur, while I lean more toward the literary and lavishly illustrated.

The following is our top ten list of books that appeal to us all:

1. "The Waterhole" by Graeme Base. In this beautifully illustrated counting book, animals from all over the world gather at the waterhole to drink, but find that it is diminishing. By the time the ten kangaroos appear, the waterhole is gone, but just until the next rain. Not only do the kids love the colorful illustrations, they enjoy finding the animals that are hidden in the background of each page. My husband and I spent an hour finding all the hidden animals, after the kids were in bed.

2. "The Stranger" by Chris Van Allsburg. In this fall tale of a mysterious man hit by a farmers' truck, the illustrations are simple and nostalgic, but compelling. The story hints subtly of magic without being obvious. When our son was 18 months old he requested this beautiful book again and again-remarkable considering the text is rather lengthy.

3. "Stranger in the Woods" by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. When a stranger visits the woods, all the animals have their own theory about who it is and what it's doing there. This beautifully written book is illustrated with real photos of animals interacting with a snowman in the woods. We wore this one out before our oldest son was three.

4. "Snowmen at Night" by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner. This whimsical winter book ventures to answer the question, "What do snowmen do at night?" With illustrations of snowmen having races, drinking ice-cold cocoa and sledding, it's amusing for all of us. The kids also like to find the objects hidden in the illustrations.

5. "How Groundhog's Garden Grew" by Lynne Cherry. In this story of a groundhog learning to plant, care for and harvest a garden, the illustrations are as lush as his garden. The colorful illustrations of the vegetables are enough to make anyone crave veggies. We tie it in to our garden planting in the spring.

6. "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert. The text in this unusual book is simple, but it is illustrated entirely with leaves and other findings from nature. The leaf man travels over rivers filled with fish, pumpkin patches and chickens, all cleverly created from leaves. We like it for the novelty of the illustrations. It even inspired us to search search for our own leaf men one fall day.

7. Anything by Dr. Seuss. The retro illustrations still appeal to kids, and Dr. Seuss's faultless rhyme scheme and rhythm pattern are bound to win favor from parents forever. From "The Cat in the Hat" to "Oh the Places You'll Go," Dr. Seuss delivers wisdom on the sly and blatant entertainment.

8. "Raindrop Plop" by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, illustrated by Pam Paparone. This colorful counting exploration of a rainstorm is a spring favorite. It counts up to ten, then down to none in rhyming text.

9. The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle. This is one board book we've taped together countless times. Since they were babies our kids have loved the artsy illustrations and the soothing text, culminating in a surprise ending.

10. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert. The rhythm and cadence of this alphabet book is the appeal. The illustrations are very simple, but the kids love to identify the letters and chime in on the refrain, "Chicka chicka boom boom!"

Learn more about this author, Maria Tussing.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Books to share with your kids?
We want to hear your view. Write now!