I had an overwhelming majority of you who responded by saying that your parent's favorite book(s) as a child was the Little House series. I, too, loved these books. I remember receiving a hard-bound copy of Little House in the Big Woods from my grandmother as a Christmas gift one year (I still have that book today). We recently purchased the entire set for my 8 year old daughter, who will be reading them during this coming school year (4th grade).
Running a close second (tie) were the Narnia books and Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys books. I did not read the Narnia books as a child, but I do remember reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I was not, and still to this day am not, a fan of fantasy-style books. I will say, though, that I think it's very important to read various styles of books, even if sometimes it's a book you don't necessary enjoy - this will help broaden your horizons, and you may even find that you like something that you didn't expect to. I never owned any Nancy Drew books, but I do remember occasionally checking them out from the library and enjoying them. Someone mentioned enjoying the Nancy Drew cd-rom games, and I just wanted to say that my girls and I LOVE those games! If you like Nancy Drew, I would encourage you to check them out - they are tons of fun!
Now, here are some of your quotes. I've added my thoughts on these books as well. Thanks for reminding me about some of my favorite books as a child. I hope that, by reading these quotes, it will encourage you to look for some of these great books to read.
Abby (winner of last week's Pocket Full of Nickels book set) said "My mom's favorite books were the Louisa May Alcott books like Little Women. We still have them. I am going to read some soon.
Alayna (12) said “When my Mom was my age, her favorite book was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. We own several copies of it. I've read it twice. It's my favorite book, too.”
*I remember reading this book aloud to myself as a teenager. It's just the type of book that wants to be read aloud, in my opinion. I haven't yet read it to my girls, but I'm sure I will.
Lisa (12) said “My moms favorite book when she was little was The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. I have read this book and I liked it."
Kaylea (10) said “My daddy's favorite book was "The Little House." He still has it. A couple of years ago, my Mi-mi found it and gave it to us. Daddy was tickled about getting it back after all these years! He read it to us and I loved it, too!”
*This was one of my favorite children's books when I was little. I don't have my original copy, but we do have a new one, and I still love it to this day!
Rachel (8) said “my mom doesn't have a favorite but has a favorite author: Beverly Cleary”
*I couldn’t agree with Rachel’s mom more! Beverly Cleary was one of my favorite authors when I was a child. I spent a lot of time with a young couple from my church; she was a teacher and had a bookshelf FULL of books, lots by Beverly Cleary. I read them all in one summer! Now my daughter Gracie is reading them; she has read all the Ramona books and is starting on the Henry Huggins ones now.
Shayla (11) said “My mom's favorite book was a picture book called Pokey Little Puppy.”
Kaitlyn (7) said “My Mom's favorite book when she was little was the Poky Little Puppy. She still has the book but I have never read it. It would be a good one to read.”
*This was another of my favorite children’s books! It is still a lot of fun to read. Kaitlyn, you should definitely read it!
Logan (7) said “My mom’s favorite book is Charlotte’s Web. I read some of it and will like to read all of it some day.”
Zach (8) said “My mom's favorite book when she was little was Charlotte's Web, and she does still have it! I'm just starting to read chapter books, so I'd like it if my mom would read it to me.”
*I love Charlotte’s Web. Mine was a hard-bound copy and the pictures were all in black and white. I colored them with colored pencils to make them look prettier.
Elijah (7) said “My mommy’s favorite book when she was little was Heidi, she said she read it all the time. She doesn't have this book now, but said she is going to get it. I would really like to have her read it with me because it seems like a neat book.”
Katie (13) said “My mother's favorite childhood book is Heidi by Johanna Spyri because Heidi turned bad situations into good ones and changed everyone's attitudes along the way.”
*I like this book for obvious reasons (my name is Heidi).
Alex (9) said “My mom's favorite book was the Trixie Belden series, The Mystery at Cobbett's Cove. My mom doesn't have hers, but bought one from EBay. We read these books aloud but we haven't gotten to that one yet.”
*I absolutely loved the Trixie Belden books. I read them all. I still have them in a box in the attic. My oldest daughter was never interested in them, so I’m hoping that my 8-year-old will read them.
Will (6) said “My daddy's favorite book to read as a kid was the encyclopedia. He used to have them spread all around his room to read over and over again.”
*I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who likes to read reference books! There is a lot of interesting things to learn in them!
Isaiah (9) said “My mom's favorite childhood book is "The Monster at the End of this Book!" by Jon Stone. We still have the book and I have read it. It is a funny book, especially when you pretend it is hard to turn the pages.”
*I forgot about this book until several of you reminded me. I had this book and used to love when my mom would read it to me. I don’t still have it but I wish I did – I think my kids would love it too.
Taylor (8) said “My Mom has so many favorites that she had a hard time telling me about just one, but we already read a lot of her books from when she was a kid. She has a special box of her books we get to go through sometimes and choose some to read. Since she's a vet, I imagine her favorite (and mine) is Harry the Dirty Dog since the cover is coming apart from reading it so much!”
*Harry the Dirty Dog was definitely up there on my favorite children’s book list. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered there is a whole series of Harry books. We have several more of them now. What fun!
Abegael (5) said “My mom’s favorite book when she was my age was Baby Dear by Eloise Wilkin. My mom’s book was eaten by mice but my Grandma has one and I have read it at her house.”
*Definitely this one was my all-time favorite Little Golden Book. I wore this book out! The cover is gone, but I still have it and can’t part with it.
Matthew (5) said “My mom's favorite story book was and is One Kitten for Kim. She still has the book. We like it alot too. She reads it to us sometimes.”
*We just recently found my copy of this book and my kids enjoy reading it. This is another fun children’s book to read.
Paige (4) said “My mom’s favorite book as a child is Miss Suzy. She still has it here at our house. We have read it together many times, and I think we will go read it again right now.”
*Baby Dear was my favorite Little Golden Book, but Miss Suzy was definitely my all-time favorite children’s book. I still have my copy and I’m so glad I do. I just love this book!
