When I think of what books I could share, I realise I haven't read many relaxing-type novels lately. But I'll share what I have been reading, and also some of my book-loving girls' favourites (as well as my own!). I am, admittedly, a lover of childrens' books...still holding onto my dream of one day illustrating my own, so you will no doubt see that love reflected in the following stories! I'm one of those people who will never be too old for a good children's book :)
Ian & Mary Grant
I'm currently reading this and loving it! It gives such practical, fun tips for family life, specifically in today's context of society & media. It looks at values and how we can choose what is important in our family as far as traditions, values, boundaries, connection and fun so that our children grow up in safe, secure environments. I love the focus on valuing our children and how to meet their needs as well as helping them transition from being fully dependent as young children, to independent young adults who value and have respect for others.
This would make a brilliant gift to any family with children at home. And, equally excellent, are Ian & Mary's more gender-specific books Growing Great Girls and Growing Great Boys.
Jeff Brumbeau
This is one of my all-time favourite childrens' books. The story is equally as beautiful as the stunning illustrations. A quiltmaker lives high up in the mountains, sewing beautiful quilts by day and delivering them to people in need by night. The King in the land is very greedy and decrees that he will have two birthdays a year and that everyone must give him gifts. He hears of the quiltmaker's beautiful quilts and demands one for himself. However, the quiltmaker refuses unless he gives gifts to others. For each gift he gives she promises to sew another piece onto the quilt. As you can imagine, as the King gives away, his heart begins to change until he realises that happiness comes through giving rather than getting.
This is possibly more geared towards girls and would be a great gift either as a keepsake for a baby, or from ages 5 and up. It can be abridged for younger listeners :)
Albert Le Blanc
Nick Butterworth
I love Nick Butterworth's illustrations. I bought this book a few years ago when working in a bookstore. It's a fun story about a new arrival in a toy store - Albert Le Blanc, the French polarbear. The other toys are concerned that he's sad, so they plan a special concert to make him smile. Nick has included several other well-known storybook characters to spot in the pictures.
This would make a great gift for a child aged 4-7.
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
This is about to be wrapped and placed under the tree for one of the girls for Christmas. It's a cute little story about Percy the Park Keeper who lives in a little cabin in a park. One snowy night there is a knock on his door and he opens it to find a shivering little squirrel. A few knocks later and he finds himself surrounded by his animal friends, all looking for somewhere warm and cosy to spend the night. There is only one problem - his bed isn't big enough! Where is everyone going to sleep?!
While there is quite a lot of text for little people like our girls, I can abridge the story for them. It may be more suited for children aged 3-7. It's a particularly good story to cuddle up together on a cold night, and the illustrations are so cute!
David Van Buren
This was one of our favourite stories to read to the girls when they were still tiny in their incubators. I had actually bought it a couple of years earlier for Eti! But it's a very sweet story about a mummy/daddy bear describing how much they love their child. "I love you as deep as the sea...I love you as bright as the sun..." The illustrations are simple and beautiful.
This makes a perfect gift for babies and young ones whose attention spans are not very long, which is always helpful!
Paul Bright
The girls have loved this touchy-feely book about the Fuzzy Wuzzy bugs who live in far off Fuzzy Wuzzy land. In this strange land you will find Welly Bugs, Wiggle Wurms, Naughty Bugs, Wheelie Bugs, and Find-me Bugs. It's a fun book written in rhyme and with real fuzzy bugs to touch. You can make up plenty of sounds and actions to go along with the story :)
This is a great book for children aged one up to 7. It's bright, funny and interactive. Just have to make sure those naughty bugs don't teach us how to burp and stick tongues out..haha!
David Melling
We actually have the French version of this story, which isn't so cool because the bear is called Martin. But then Hugless Douglas doesn't quite translate as well :) This is a funny and cute little story about a bear who is searching for a cuddle. He tries cuddling various things and animals he comes across, which doesn't quite go so successfully. He eventually finds his mum, who gives him a great big bear hug...which is just what he was wanting!
David Melling has a variety of great titles, including more Douglas stories. This would make a great gift for any child, probably best suited from age 3 or 4 to 7. It's well illustrated and a funny story that will get you giggling!
Margery Williams
This is another beautiful story, that you've probably all heard of. This particular version has stunning illustrations (illustrations are usually what draws me as you might tell!). A beautiful story about a toy bunny who spends his days in the nursery of a young boy, with the other toys, dreaming of the day his young owner might come and choose to play with him. He discovers that all of the other toys dream of becoming "real" one day. "Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real."
This is a perfect gift for a new baby as a keepsake, or for any child aged from 4-8. It's particularly great for those little imaginations who believe their toys are 'real' personalities...as we perhaps have all once believed :)
Sally Lloyd-Jones
The girls received this for their first birthday from my brother. It's a newish version of Bible stories for children, with a difference. Each story points towards Jesus...'Every story whispers His name.' It really is a childrens' Bible that is a step beyond others in terms of how the stories are written. The illustrations are quirky and it appeals to adults as well as children! In fact my brother told me that he'd seen it at a conference and adults were buying it to read for themselves!
This would make a perfect gift for a family, for a baby or for children aged from 6-10. My ages are really estimates, so it could be perfect for younger or older children. There is also a version that comes with a CD of stories.
There we go - some of our favourite stories (or future favourites!). I could go on forever, but I'll leave you with these above for now! I have bought several of our books from The Book Depository, which has reasonably fast and free international delivery, and great prices. Otherwise, most of these should be available in local bookstores.
