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While in college, one of the best pieces of advice that any of my professor's ever gave to me is that when picking books to read to a child, be sure to pick something that I enjoy reading. As a parent I know this is not always possible, as time and time again my child brings me a Thomas the Tank story or a Disney book of the month that he finds on his shelf, which I honestly find uninteresting. However, we have found a number of books that we both enjoy, and that are considerred classics...stories that withstand time. A combination of reading many books about children's books, a college course or two in child psychology and Children's Literature, and of course my own parenting experience have lead me to believe that the following children's books are among the best out there, and worth a read or two...or ten.:
Books by Shel Silverstein are an excellent choice, as his poetry is a crack up and "The Giving Tree" a tear jerker.
E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" as well as "The Trumpet of the Swan" are great chapter books that can be read nightly even to children as young as four or five years of age, if they have the patience to listen.
Any Dr.Suess book is great. I personally love "The Lorax" and "Horton Hears a Who" as well as the inspiring "Oh the Places You'll Go" ( I read it to myself when I am feeling down and out).
Some other classic titles are "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"; "Tikki Tikki Tembo"; "The Dirty Little Boy"; "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog"; "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus"; "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble"; and "Click Clack Moo".
I highly recommend borrowing or purchasing a parent's or even a teacher's guide to children's literature to assist in your search for great children's books.
There are so many choices out there, it can sometimes be a daunting task to pick something educational and also fun to read. I often choose books that are Caldecott or Newberry medal winners and nominees just because I know these books have been awarded or recognized for their excellence.

Learn more about this author, Melissa Hawkins.
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