If I’m perfectly honest, I’m not sure if I read anything this past year with as much intensity and care as my toddler son read the rotating stack of books we got from the library every couple of weeks. Reading to my son is one of the great pleasures of parenting – even when it’s the same book over, and over, and over again. Below are a few (the list could be much longer) of the books we both enjoyed over the course of the year (my list of grown-up favorites is here) Also, it should be mentioned that anything including Thomas the Tankengine is basically Tolstoy according to my son, and he registers a strong protest at the absence of the friendly blue engine’s oeuvre from this list.
- Owl Babies (popular on nights when mom was at work)
- Bob (possible toddler favorite book of the year … although it has recently fallen out of favor)
- Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site + Steam Train, Dream Train (massive bestsellers, and with good reason, as they generate a pleasing soporific effect)
- Thunder Cake (the rhythm of counting after lightning flashes seems to be the appealing part of this book)
- Mr. Gumpy’s Outing (the story of good creation marred by original sin … or something like that … possibly my favorite of the year)
- Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (a book for deep analysis “what that?” “where he going?” “banana car!?!”)
- Captain Jack and the Pirates (adventure awaits / Jack and his mates /a day of exploring / is never boring … what can I say, it rhymes … rather more charmingly than that)
- Frog and Toad (classic)
- Song of the Stars (a favorite Christmas read)
