In April of 2017, I was adjusting to a new life as a full-time Children’s Librarian. The long hours coupled with the families I was reading to made me miss my child more than I could have imagined. I sought to create a special time with her (JR), something literacy based that we could do together. We started the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge. If you are interested I would highly recommend it. Not just as a Children’s Librarian but from a mom as well. While the rules to the challenge are simple (read 1,000 books before your child is in Kindergarten), I wanted to create my own set of rules for the both of us.
I must be the one to read her the books Yep, you heard that right. Books from storytime, school, daddy, or grandpa don’t count. At least, not for this challenge. Books always count. Reading always counts.
Each book listed had to be new While I still read JR a few home favorites, I only counted the books we haven’t read together before.
I could only count a book once The challenge says you can list a book more than once. I decided that the challenge for us would be 1,000 different books. She wants me to read a book more than once? Fine by me but it wouldn’t be listed more than once.
We do this at our pace JR goes into these spurts of energy (don’t they all?) where she wants to read ten books then other times where she doesn’t want to read at all. I follow that pace and, even if that means we don’t make our deadline, which I think we will.
We have until August 2020 While she will be in TK this August (2019) I am actually counting the Kindergarten school year. This will also be the same time she will receive her first Library Card and a new bookshelf on Goodreads will begin.
So, with our rules listed I wanted to share my daughter’s favorite books we’ve read together. The following are the ones that I saw the most of reaction, response, and repeating the book again. A few of these she picked out on her own and have asked me to purchase for her personal library.
There are ten classics and ten new favorites.
The Classics:
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
A simple and rhythmic storybook that takes a family on an adventure to find a bear. This book is great for not only a flannel storyboard but also to get kids up an moving.
JR loves when I use this story for a back massage!
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Sharing is caring.
A great book about a unique fish who didn't have any friends because of being vain. Teaches children about sharing and how to be a good friend.
JR loved how shiny the fish scales were and knew before the story progressed how the Rainbow Fish needed to share its scales to other.
The Ugly Pumpkin
by Dave Horowitz
Not only is this one of my favorites to read in storytime but JR loves to read this book many times.
When an ugly pumpkin doesn't get picked for Halloween it goes on an adventure and finds a family to connect to.
A perfect book for November (between Halloween and America's Thanksgiving)
JR likes to scream, "I AM THE UGLY PUMPKIN!" when that page comes up.
Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
This book, as many may already know, can be said out loud, by heart.
The rhythmic story makes it perfect for all ages with a message about being kind.
JR's favorite is the making the animal sounds. Even now, in preschool, she loves to make those sounds.
Giraffes Can't Dance
by Giles Andreae
Another favorite's of this Children's Librarian; it was super exciting to see JR have this as one of her favorites.
Watching all the other animals dance and seeing Gerald try to on his own. JR loved watching him learn with the cricket who made the music.
Use this one in storytime for jungle, dance, and kindness themes.
One
by Kathryn Otoshi
This book series (One, Zero, & Two) is super cute and easily to follow for little ones. Learning about manners, emotions, and letters and colors, this book helps children learn to work through what they are feeling with something they learn first: numbers and colors.
JR used to call out her emotions by color.
Chicken Little
by Rebecca Emberley
While Chicken Little isn't a big favorite in our household both JR and I loved this version. The illustrations are super funny and the big, bold noises (Eep! Bonk!) are nice and big for littles to follow along with.
JR's favorite part is when they reach Foxy Loxy. I usually speed read this story then slow it down at this part, make it kind of sassy. She laughs loud when this happens.
Skippyjon Jones
by Judy Schachner
One of JR's newest favorites is everyone's favorite cats. She loves his imagination. While these are a bit too long to read to a storytime group of 70+, it's a great nighttime read.
JR usually likes to see Skippyjon's imagination run wild, like hers.
The Caterpillar and the Polliwog
by Jack Kent
This book was one I read as a young child. When JR began to learn about life cycles by having butterflies in her classroom I brought this book home.
This story is about a caterpillar who brags about changing into a butterfly to everyone. When it meets a polliwog and learns about it transforming it they begin the adventure together.
JR loved telling me, as the story kept progressing, all about what stages each friend was in.
The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Penn
This book was a request by JR when she came home from her first day of school. When I read it to her I knew instantly what it was about.
This ritual still happens today when she is having a bad morning.
The story is of a little raccoon going to school and afraid of missing mommy raccoon. Their little ritual will make any parent tear up.
The New Favorites:
Dad and the Dinosaur
by Gennifer Choldenko
Such a cute book about being afraid of the dark who uses a tiny dinosaur to help not be afraid.
Some reviewer's don't like the approach the author takes on masculinity and tough love but it's up to you as a family/librarian what you think.
This gave us the perfect opportunity to talk about similar topics.
JR loves all things dinosaurs and astronomy so, it was natural favorite.
Doll-E 1.0
by Shanda McCloskey
JR loved this book and I had to read it a few times. She is very inquisitive, like her daddy, and is reminded of herself in this character.
This book is about a girl who loves to tinker with her toys until she receives a doll. Her curiosity makes her wonder how to play with this doll, it's not made of technology. That are her sidekick pup, we see her try and figure out this new toy.
Perfect for STEM fans.
Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
by Jan Peck
Another great storytime book this interactive story gets kids moving.
A boy takes a journey looking for treasure and runs into a few sea friends.
JR's favorite is, of course, "swim away", and when she sees something I don't... a shark!
Being Edie is Hard Today
by Ben Brashares
This is a newer picture book and while it's a tad bit long it kept my energetic preschooler captured.
The story is about Edie who wants to be everything but Edie. It's an adorable book.
JR's favorite part was really the illustrations and a close second were the animals Edie pretended to be.
They All Saw a Cat
by Brendan Wenzel
A super cute and amazing perspective on one animal. Each creature the cat comes upon see the cat differently. This could work for storytime if you have a smaller and older crowd.
JR loved seeing how fleas and other small animals see the cat.
The Lion Inside
by Rachel Bright
Another rhythmic story about a cute mouse who just wants to be heard. The mouse notices that Lion has a different perspective and decides to stop being small and do something about it.
The best part is also JR's favorite, when mouse becomes nose to nose with Lion. She laughed so hard, and so will the kiddos in your life.
The story is a bit long but it would hold captivate any audience.
Breathe
by Scott Magoon
One of my favorite books for mindfulness storytime It takes us on a journey with a whale as the bottom basis to remember to breathe. I read this to JR when she needs to calm down. Her favorite part is, of course, getting to breathe.
Pearl
by Molly Idle
The story of Pearl the mermaid and her super important job... that may or may not be the job she wanted, is an adorable book that will make any mermaid lover squeal.
The ending of this book is what did it for both JR and myself. Without giving it away, JR squealed and called out what Pearl's true job was.
This is a must read! Maybe not in storytime but definitely after a bath.
Julian is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
JR's favorite part was watching Julian be like his idols.
This story is about a boy who sees himself mirrored in three women in beautiful clothes. When his Abuela finds out, his whole world changes.
This book supports LGBTQ+.
Dream Dog
by Lou Berger
When a young inventor wants a pet, that's not the one his parents give him, he puts his inventions to the test and creates an imaginary dog.
The dog and the boy go on adventures, until a real dog enters their world.
JR loved the illustrations and keeps referring to the imaginary dog as the dog she wants as a pet.
Of course, there are so many other books JR and I both recommend. If you want to check out our progress on the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge check out our Goodreads bookshelf.
What books, as a caregiver or Librarian, would you recommend us to read? We are currently just under 500 (Summer 2019) and could use all the suggestions possible.
Happy reading!
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