Read Aloud Thursday: Marcus and Sophie's Book Club

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. ---C.S. Lewis

These are Sophia and Marcus's picks for this week:

1)  Thumbelina by Hans Christian Anderson, retold by Brian Alderson, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

This book was beautifully illustrated.  I was less than fond of Brian Alderson's writting style.  However, the kids seemed to enjoy this book.  

2)  The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

I was given this book when Marcus was just a baby.  I have read it to them many, many times but they never seem to get tired of it.  Marcus really enjoys pretending to be the various things that the little bunny becomes in the story.  

3)  Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

This book is nearly wordless.  The majority of the story comes from the illustrations.  I like reading these types of books to the kids because it gives them a chance to tell me the story.  

4)  From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

This story is a VERY fun read aloud.  I highly recommend it.  It is very interactive and most children can't help but to get up and imitate the animals in the book.  

5)  The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, retold by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Fabian Negrin

I chose this book because of the beautiful, full-color, large illustrations.  I also though that Waters did a good job of retelling this story.  

6)  A Pocket for Corduroy, by Don Freeman

This is a recent addition to our home library and already it has become a new favorite.  Marcus and Sophia were already big fans of the original Corduroy book so it was no surprise that this sequel would also be a hit.  I bought this book especially for little She-She (aka Sophia.)  She has been quite upset that she doesn't have pockets in many of her dresses and skirts.  She thinks it is quite unfair that Marcus always seems to have pockets in his shorts.  So, I have promised to sew some pockets into her clothes for her.  I thougth that she might be able to relate to Corduroy's search for pockets, and I was right!

7)  If Jesus Came to My House, by Joan G. Thomas, illustrated by Lori McElrath-Eslick

 

This is also a new addition to our home library.  This is a re-illustrated version of the original classic.  I think the illustrations in this new version are beautiful.  

8)  The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

 

Like many of the titles listed here, I am sure that adults will get as much from this book as will little children.  This is the story of a little boy and his love for a tree.  It is touched with sadness as we see the trees incredible generosity towards the boy he loves so much.  

9)  A Boy, A Dog, and A Frog by Mercer Mayer

This story is told completely without words.  The child must ascertain what is happening through the pictures.  This is an old favorite in our house.  We love to pull it out before we go "creaking" to inspire the kids at the stream.  

10)  Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

 

This is one of Marcus's favorite books.  He loves the illustrations and of course loves the monsters in this book.  :)  

11)  Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen

 

This is a book that I never would have discovered had it not been for the wonderful Sonlight P3/P4 book-list.  And I am so happy that I did finally discover it.   I think that this series of books are incredibly cool.  For those of you doing farm themes this year, I recommend that you check this book out.   

12)  Crictor by Tomi Ungerer

 

Great book.  Enough said!  

13)  D.W. the Picky Eater by Marc Brown

Alright, I have to admit that this is the one book that I didn't enjoy as much as the rest on this list.  However, Marcus and Sophia loved this book and I read it to them several times this week.