My Favorite Children's Books

Not long ago a ten year old girl sat across from me telling me of her reading woes. She said that all the books people her age were about "yucky grown up stuff" and that there was nothing good to read "so what's the point of reading when there aren't any good books out there?". Of course, I told her that there were plenty of wonderful books perfect for girls her age, and I rattled off a few of my favorites. A couple weeks later, this little girl came to me that she had read The Borrowers and absolutely loved it. I gave her a few recommendations and she thanked me. That was that.

She made me realize that there are a plethora of wonderful children's books that I loved as a little girl that have been kind of forgotten. Because of this, readers, who are too young to enjoy young adult fiction, are frustrated by their seemingly limited options. So I've chosen to compile a list of books that I loved as a child, to give young readers some options. The list is divided into age groups so that you can quickly locate books that are perfect for your child's age group, and I've included links to where you can purchase these books cheaply. I apologize in advance about the length of this post.

Very Young Children ~ Ages 3 to 5:

These books are are short picture books with beautiful pictures and cute stories that are perfect for little ones.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 

This is a children's classic that was one of my favorites. The cardboard book with little holes cute in the pages as if the caterpillar ate through them always amused me. You can purchase it here.



Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 

My mom read me this book when I was very little. I can remember snuggling in her lap and having her read this to me. In fact, I think it's the first book that I can actually remember. It has monkeys in it and hats. It's just a fun book. It's for sale here.








Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney

My parents gave this to me for Valentines Day one year and it still has a prominent place on my book shelf. It's a cute metaphor for how much parents love their children. Pick it up here.





Young Children ~ Ages 5 to 8:

 These books are a little longer, a little harder to read, but still are enjoyable to read aloud to younger kids.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 

This is by far my favorite picture book. It's just fantastic. Get it here. Just make sure that you don't get the one with the updated illustrations.







If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff 

This is the first in a long series of books that are just plain cute. Get it here.















Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald 

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a eccentric old lady who loves children and helps parents in unusual ways. If you really fall in love with them, there is a whole series that follows the original. They are short chapter books that are the perfect things for an early chapter book. Buy it online here.











Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater 

Again, this was an adorable and perfect little book about a house painter who just so happens to procure some penguins. Hilarity ensues, naturally. This is a great book to read aloud. Do not let the TERRIBLE movie dissuade you from reading this. Get it here.











American Girls by Various Authors

These books are gold! They correspond with the line of historical dolls that American Girl has. They deal with difficult topics like slavery, immigration, war, and sacrifice in a manner that little girls can understand. My favorite is Felicity, a girl from Colonial Williamsburg, but there are countless more. I put them in this age group because they are great to read aloud but they are also really easy to read. I think I started to read them in the second grade and I kept reading them until I was twelve or so. Really, these are amazing books and there are LOTS of them for your kiddos to enjoy.


Older Children ~ Ages 8 to 10:

These books are chapter books, but still very much children's books.

The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

These books are American classics that should not be missed by any child. Even if you are an adult and haven't read them, you need to. They are absolutely endearing, heartfelt, and timeless. Also, for adult readers, read a biography of Laura Ingalls to see how she doctored her life story. Buy the series here and a short biography here. Older kids who have read the books might enjoy the biography as well.

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild 

I will not waste your time singing the praises of this book, but please, please have your child read this. It is a wonderful book, particularly for girls who dream of being performers. Buy it here














The Borrowers by Mary Norton 

These books are adorable, and, again, I won't waste your time singing their praises. The story of little people living under floor boards and drainpipes is just timeless. The first is much better than the rest of the novels, but they are still worth the time to read. Just don't let the terrible movie dissuade you from having your children read it. Grab it here







The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White 

This book comes from the same author of Charlotte's Web, the great children's classic. I personally enjoy The Trumpet of the Swan better than Charlotte's Web. Like his other book, White uses talking animals to move the plot along. It's cute, funny, and has a great message. Here's the link.










The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 

Maybe being a Tolkien junky makes me biased, but I think that introducing children to Tolkien as early as possible is best. The Hobbit is much more of a children's book than the Lord of the Rings is so this is the perfect book to read aloud. Just do me a favor and don't get an abridged version. My heart just can't handle it. Here's the handy-dandy little link. Oh, and if you want to invest in your child's future Middle Earth love, get them the complete boxed set here just don't let them forget about The Silmarillion. 


Tweens ~ Ages 10 to 12

These books are longer and more suited for older children in their dealing with the stories; however, most children this age will still enjoy the books from the Older Children section.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 

Okay, so if you're familiar with the 1982 movie adaptation of this book, bless you. I love that movie now, but as a tween it scared me to death. Anyways, this book is fabulous. I love the fact that what is "magic" to Mrs. Frisby is actually just basic science proving that there is normally an explanation behind even the most magical of happenings. It's a great fantasy book for kids interested in science. Oh and despite the title character being a girl, this is a book that boys would really like too (there's an order of rats that are knights). Nab it here.

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan 

This is the perfect book for little girls going through there "horse phase". "Horses" by Seymour Simon is pretty good as well for something nonfiction, but it does have a page or two about the evolution of the horse that you might want to be aware of. Anyways, Paint the Wind is a beautiful book and probably one of my favorite children's books. It deals with some really serious topics like loss, and family, and truth. Ryan doesn't shy away from the seriousness of these topics; instead, she tackles them in a way perfect for tweens and older children.Fair warning, this book is about an orphaned girl getting over the loss of her parents and the discovery of a family she never knew. It isn't exactly happy material, but it so good. Get it here.

Beauty by Bill Wallace 

Another horse book, but it entirely different from Paint the Wind. The main character in this one is a young boy. I think this is a book that boys would also enjoy. Get here.

















The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis 

These are quintessential children's books. Like Little House no child should miss out on the wonder and enjoyment of Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. If you so happen to stumble upon another Narnia lover you will probably get into a heated debate about the order in which you are to read these. but it really doesn't matter (read about the great debate here). These books are just absolutely wonderful and a great way to introduce your children to symbolism and the great Christian man that C.S. Lewis was. Later as they get older, you can introduce them to his nonfiction works like Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters (Click on the link to read my review on that great work of art). Just please, let your kids read these. They truly are magical. Here's the boxed set.

Young Teens ~ 13 to 15

These are a FEW of the books that I loved at that age that aren't YA and still very innocent in their subject matter. If you'd like to know more books that fit this bill, comment below. A lot of the books I've previously listed are suitable for this age group as well.


The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

So if you bought the boxed set of the Middle Earth books this is the perfect age for your kids to read and enjoy The Lord of the Rings on their own. I really, truly, completely, and utterly love Tolkien that it hurts my soul to think that there are people who have never read him. I could go on for years about The Lord of the Rings, but I will spare you as this post is already too long. One piece of advice, if you have a long trip or something listening to these on audio is great. Here's the audiobook.


Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

These books are the first books to really help me become comfortable in my own skin. I love them so much. Anne's journey is one that everyone can relate to. I put them in this age grouping for a couple reasons, the sequels deal with some darker and more complex stuff that younger children can't understand. Also, Anne of Green Gables should be first enjoyed at a much younger age, but this is the age that I think kids should go back and reread them just to catch all the things they missed. Here's the 8-book series boxed set.




Middle Teens ~ Ages 15 - 16

Three of my favorite books that might have been overlooked.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling 

Please don't crucify me for this pick. I understand if you are opposed to Harry Potter, really I do, but these books are the books that grew up with me. They are engaging, brutally honest, and compelling. They deal with friendship, compassion, good vs. evil, and integrity. For these reasons, I truly enjoy this series (I think I've said that about every book). Anyways, if you are so inclined here's the link.






Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 

I think I've read this book about ten times, and that's not an exaggeration. This is a book that every girl needs to read. It is powerful and just brilliant. If you haven't read the book you must. This is one of the few books that has actually made me cry. Buy it  here. And if you really like it, you can get the volume with the entire trilogy here.


Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

I can't even describe this book. It's kind of dark and twisted, but it is a treasure. Just read it. Get it here.




















So that's that guys. Like I said, I divided this list into age groups, but that does not mean that these books can only be enjoyed in that age group. If you have any questions about any of these books comment below. Oh, and if you like to see more lists like this leave that in the comments as well.

Thank you so much for your reading.

Love and Happy Reading,

Gayle

xoxo

*******All pictures taken from Goodreads,com. Don't sue me, please.********

Snowmageddon 2016: otherwise entitled "Welcome back to Morehead, Gayle"

As most of you know, I'm back at Craft. That in and of its self is quite an event, but.......

THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A BLIZZARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry. 

That was in all caps. 

And a lot of exclamation points. 

Anyways....

I'm back here settling in to my schedule and avoiding adulting as much as possible. Actually, I'm looking forward to this semester. I'm taking some very challenging courses and I've increased the hours I'm taking. It's going to be a lot of work and I might cry a lot, but I'm super excited and super confident. 

I have taken some time from studying today to go play in the snow on my first snow day in like six years. I WENT SLEDGING FOR THE FIRST TIME!! It was amazing. The hill behind my dorm is perfect for sledging. Then my roommate and I went to Dairy Queen, which is literally the only thing open in all of Morehead. The entire town is closed and I'm not joking. 

Right now, I'm sitting in the lobby of Thompson Hall with my RC and my friends listening to Justin Bieber. I have plenty of food and the heat and electricity is still very much working. My plan is that if all of this goes south (like the power goes out and we are reduced to post-apocalypse conditions) I'm going to sell my food to my floormates and pay for my books for the semester. (That's what they were meant when they said they encourage entrepreneurship, right?) 

Anyways, I don't think I'm going to leave this dorm for the next forty-eight hours unless I ABSOLUTELY have to. I'm going to try and get to church, but in the words of Pastor Aaron I'll "need a tautaun to get there". So I'm holed up here like a rat with a turkey drumstick, and I'm okay with that. 

Stay warm 

Stay safe. 

Let me know if you find a tautaun. 

Signing off in Moresnowhead, 

Gayle

xoxo 

I'm sorry  if you expected cute photos of me doing cute things with my cute friends. I don't do that. A blizzard is not a time for cuteness. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

These things are probably one of my favorites. They are quick and easy to make, and they require no forethought. I'm a stickler for leaving cold baking ingredients to come to room temperature and sifting your dry ingredients but this recipe needs none of that. Beside that, these are made with things that are typically in your pantry. So these are the perfect thing to make on short notice!

Here's what you need:

Start by creaming together sugars and butter. Beat in the eggs and stir in the vanilla. 

Dissolve the baking soda in hot water. You don't need any more than a tablespoon of water, so don't go overboard with it. Add it to the mixture along with some salt. 

Then gradually add the flour. 

Now chop up some pecans. This is the best part of the recipe. You can use any nut you want. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, peanuts. Anything that you have in the house. Just chop them up and throw them in. Or if you have nut allergies just skip this part. It makes no difference. 

Throw in the chocolate chips. You can add as much or as little as you want. You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark, or a combination. Again, it doesn't matter. Just use whatever you have in the pantry. I used a combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate because I ran out of semi-sweet. Give it all a quick mix. 

Pour it into a well-greased baking pan. You can really use any size. Anything 9x13 or smaller is perfect. It just depends on how thick you want the bars to be. 

Pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for about thirty minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife or toothpick comes out of the center clean. 

Cut and serve. They're really great! Here's the recipe; 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars 

Ingredients: 

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

2 eggs cold 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons hot water 

1/2 teaspoons slat

2 cups chocolate chips 

1 cup chopped pecans 

Directions: 

1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2- Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time. Then stir in vanilla. 

3- Dissolve baking soda in hot water then add to batter with slat. Stir in flour gradually. Beat 20-30 seconds after mixed well. 

4- Add chocolate and chopped pecans 

5- Pour into a greased pan. Bake for thirty minutes until a knife comes out clean. 

Review: "What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect The Practice of Medicine" by Danielle Ofri, MD

When I picked up this book, I expected a book full of technical mumbo-jumbo. I expected it to dull and boring, and honestly I had no intention of ever finishing it. It just something I started to take up my time. Boy, I was wrong. From the moment I read the first word, I was fascinated.

In What Doctors Feel, Dr. Ofri delves into the emotions of fear, shame, grief, anger, and being overwhelmed, and how they affect the doctors who experience them. But the book doesn't stop with the doctors, it also deals with their patients.

"It could easily be argued that doctors are no more emotionally complex than accountants, plumbers, or the cable-repair guy, but the net result of doctors' behavior - logical, emotional, irrational, or otherwise - can have life-and-death consequences for patients, which is to say, for all of us." 

Each chapter deals with one the the five emotions that Dr. Ofri chooses to tackle. Intertwined with the analysis of behavior, is a story of one of Dr. Ofri's own patients. With raw emotion, Dr. Ofri admits just how much her patient, Julia, meant to her and how her own emotions affected the way in which she dealt with Julia's tragic disease. Dr. Ofri does not shy away from her own shortcomings; rather, she describes the times that her emotions have gotten the better of her in a remarkably honest way. Her observations are both profound and relatable even to those who aren't in the medical field.

"Sadness and grief will never leave medicine, and, of course, it shouldn't" 

Not only does Dr. Ofri explain her own mistakes, but she includes the personal stories of other doctors. But rather than placing the blame for medical mistakes due to emotional burnout on the doctors themselves, she places it on the system in which doctors are trained. She seems to believe that if emotions were more excepted in the medical field and if medical schools acknowledged the various young doctors would have then maybe, just maybe, patients would not feel the effects of their doctors' tense nerves. 

Bottom Line: What Doctors Feel is a short, interesting read for perfect for anyone wanting to better understand the emotional pressures that doctors experience in their day-to-day life. It isn't a must read, but it is definitely something interesting to read. 

Love and Happy Reading, 

Gayle 

xoxo

I Have a Confession to Make

So this very tiny, nondescript movie came out recently. I don't know, you probably haven't heard of it. It's called Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

By now, most of you have seen this movie and probably loved it. In fact, I haven't found a person who didn't like it. Everyone loves it. Everyone. 

But I have a confession to make.

It's big.

It's huge.

It's shocking.

I DIDN'T LIKE THE NEW STAR WARS MOVIE!!

There, I said it.  Please don't hate me. It's just a harmless little opinion.

Now, I'm not not going to bash this movie because it was really, really good and really, really, really well done. This movie was incredible. I just didn't like it. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan. I don't know the lore, I don't care who shot first, and I don't know the fan theories. I just don't care. So when I went to see this film, in a crowded theater, I didn't enjoy it because it is very much a film for the fans.

Star Wars just isn't my cup of tea and there's NOTHING wrong with that. It's completely okay and fine not be a fanatic fan of Star Wars or any other cult TV show, movie, book series, or anything else for that matter. So be a fan of Star Wars and have fun in your fandom, but don't vilify those who don't like Star Wars or haven't seen it.

Love and Happy Reading,

Gayle

xoxo