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Five Children’s Literature Authors Worth Rediscovering
Recommending children's literature authors and sharing activities to help your kids fall in love with reading isn't difficult. In fact, narrowing down the list is the bigger challenge. This may be because I fell in love with reading as a child. In fact, when I was young and got in trouble, my parents didn't take the phone away or send me to my room as punishment. No! They did something much worse instead; they told me I couldn't read. For a girl who always had her nose stuck in a book, this was the worst punishment imaginable. How could I travel through time, explore uncharted territories, and discover that other kids lived lives both comfortingly familiar to and astonishingly different from my own without the aid of books?
Now that I'm grown and have children of my own, I don't often get to read for pleasure. However, I love to read with my kids. It's fun to witness their discovery of the books I loved when I was young. In honor of Children's Book Week, I am sharing five children's literature authors with you. I hope this list will help you discover (or rediscover!) a new (old) favorite.
Five Children's Literature Authors Worth Rediscovering
1. E.B. White
A mouse born to humans, a voiceless swan, a pig slated for the butcher block. E.B. White had the extraordinary ability to turn regular animals into lessons about growing up, finding your voice, death, and ultimately, the beauty of life. Our favorite is Charlotte's Web. I'm giving away a copy over on my blog, Oh, Honestly! Stop by and enter to win (the giveaway ends Sunday).
2. Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary has written many great books, but her most beloved are probably the Ramona books. Every child can relate to the cast of characters. Beezus, the responsible older sister, Henry, the adventure-seeking boy, Ramona, the rascally little girl always getting into mischief. As I've reread these books with my oldest son, I too have found them relatable. Mrs. Quimby is the perfect blend of tired mommy and loving caregiver who often reminds Beezus (and me!) that the tantrums and trials of life with a preschooler only last a short time.
3. Robert McCloskey
Robert McCloskey is not only a superb story-teller, but an amazing artist as well. Bostonians love Make Way for Ducklings for the familiar landmarks it depicts. Children love Burt Dow, Deep Water Man because it's all about band-aids. I love One Morning in Maine because it takes place on the Maine coast where I grew up.
4. Roald Dahl
I can't call Roald Dahl a family favorite yet since we haven't read any of his books together, but I'm 100% confident my kids will fall in love with his stories as quickly as I did. Who wouldn't love reading about a girl who can move things with her mind, a mysterious man who creates chocolate treats, or a rascally fox who can outwit humans? I've also heard that the B.F.G. is being made into a movie. Why not read the book with your kids and then have family movie night to compare the two?
5. Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton's books are perfect for the younger set. Her adorable pictures and catchy lines will have you repeating her stories long after you've closed her books. Some of them might even have you dancing in your seat.
So there you have it: Five of my favorites (although honestly, it was nearly impossible to choose just five).
Who are your favorite children's book authors?
Don't forget to stop over at my blog to enter for a chance to win a copy of Charlotte's Web!
Lauren is a SAHM of three who realized a couple of years ago that trying to make other people think she has it all together is exhausting and ridiculous. Due to her epiphany she began the blog, Oh, Honestly! where she shares her real life (messy house, meltdowns, and all) in hopes of inspiring others to drop their act as well. When she’s not blogging, Lauren can be found breaking up fights, sneaking chocolate in the pantry, and talking about how cute her kids are. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.
tmlaur
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- Five Children’s Literature Authors Worth Rediscovering - February 5, 2016
