My family’s favorite place to back up the money truck is the bookstore, partly because my husband and I are book nerds, and also (selfishly) because we’re not down with reading crappy bedtime stories. Sorry, Fancy Nancy and the Rescue Bots!
So when a dear friend recently asked for some children’s book recommendations, I was all over that sh*t. There are countless children’s books we love love love, but here’s what Priss & Vinegar has been digging on most recently:
Ada Twist, Scientist
Children’s literature frequently contains lessons for tiny readers — about sharing, patience, that everybody poops. You know, stuff kids need to know. So the newest title from the author of Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer caught me by surprise by (gulp) containing a lesson for parents. I won’t spoil it for you, but just know it’s a terrific message that will resonate for all parents of highly curious children.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition
If you’re a raging Harry Potter nerd who just can’t wait until your kids are older to read the original books together, then you’ll be 100% into this illustrated edition of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. While the text itself remains the same, the font size is larger for young readers and the pages are filled with gorgeous illustrations.
And if, like me, you get hooked on Harry Potter all over again, not to worry: the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets comes out October 4!
Usborne Illustrated Classics for Children
This anthology of abridged classics (think Around the World in 80 Days and The Canterbury Ghost) was the “breakthrough” book that transitioned my then-four year-old from picture books to chapter books. FINALLY. The length of each story is juuuust right for younger readers and the pictures go a long way toward keeping them engaged throughout.
Usborne makes a host of other illustrated classic anthologies centered on various themes, like adventure stories, Dickens, and Shakespeare. (I’m going to ignore the fact they also have “Girls” and “Boys”-themed anthologies, too. Ugh.)
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark
Confession: I have not read this book yet, but you better believe I Amazon Prime’d it to my house as soon as I learned it existed! There’s no such thing as too many girl power reads in this house. Also, this book already wins points with me for unapologetic legal nerdiness.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
Preschoolers can turn into secretive little teenagers when parents ask,”What happened at school today?” Because you’re older and way smarter, outfox them into answering your question anyway by reading this sweet book at bedtime. Each page describes a different feeling — pride, shyness, joy — which I follow by asking my kids if they had that feeling that day. You didn’t hear this from me, but uh, it totally works. Shhhhhh!
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