5 Kids’ Books We Love
One of the most important things for a growing mind is being exposed to different ideas and lessons, and one of the best ways to do that is through reading. Books bring us across the globe, across the galaxy, without ever actually going anywhere. And with children’s books, there’s something even more special: being able to travel through those stories and worlds together with your little one as they develop their language skills.
As back-to-school season is now in full swing, we asked our colleagues to tell us about some of their favorite kids’ books, so here are some of Teamson employees’ top choices that we encourage you to fill your kid’s bookcase with if you haven’t already!
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
One of the books that always stuck with me, personally, was Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. It’s the story of a little mouse who absolutely loves her name, Chrysanthemum, until her first day of school, where she is relentlessly teased for having such a “not-normal” name. Chrysanthemum goes through the journey of wanting to change her name, that she personally loves, just so she can fit in. At the end, she’s given the encouragement to embrace her name, and her peers follow suit. While it’s not exactly the most truthful telling of how teasing in school works, I always loved this book because, no matter what, there will be someone who dislikes some unique part of you, but there will also be plenty of people who adore it. It’s a great lesson in self-esteem and acceptance of others, and I think that’s one of the most important lessons we can give our kids today. ---Alyssa
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
This continues to be a family favorite in my home. It’s such a cute interactive book; each page features and animal and an action they can do to mimic them. It gives us a chance to talk more about each animal with the kids and act out some funny animal noises and movements, which is always a blast! My kids love when I do the silly monkey arms and sounds when we get to that page, I’m apparently really good at it! And no, I won’t do it for you. ---Eudora
Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell
I remember enjoying this book as a child, but as an adult and parent I love it even more. I have it memorized, and I even quote it! My kids love it because they relate to "Little Bear"; all the lanterns in the world can't comfort them the way I can, and once I give them that undivided attention, they are able to fall asleep. It’s a wonderful bonding experience that I cherished as a kid, and now I can cherish it even more as a parent. The illustrations are also beautiful! ---Leigh
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the story of a young caterpillar as it transforms into a beautiful butterfly. The book teaches kids counting and the days of the week as you turn each page, and the colorful pictures grab your attention as you read along. But the best part of the book is flipping through the die-cut pages that get bigger and bigger as the caterpillar eats more and more. As a kid, my favorite part as my parents read to me was putting my little fingers through the pre-punctured holes in the fruit. ---Valentino
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are is not only an excellent choice in children’s literature, but a cautionary tale for adults. It observes human nature and imagination so keenly that some even consider it having “dark themes”, but life lessons aren’t just for kids—they’re for grown-ups too. Every time I read it, I notice something new. When you are emotional or angry, it tells you that it’s okay, you’re allowed to have feelings; there’s a wild thing in each of us. ---Brittany
