My Favorite Books as a Child | Part 2

Hey, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. My winter break has been pretty mellow so far, I haven’t been doing much besides working on the blog, my WIP, and sleeping in. The extra sleep is so nice.

Today I have part two of my favorite books as a child! I did part 1 back in November, you can read it here.

Eat Your Peas, Ivy Louise! by Leo Landry

I don’t remember this book a whole lot, but I remember hearing the phrase “eat your peas, Ivy Louise” a lot in the house.

Welcome to the world’s smallest circus—starring the Tender Tiny Peas—in this charming, one-of-a-kind fantasy that reveals there can be much more to a child’s dinnertime than meets the adult eye.

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw

This series is really ridiculous. It’s humorous and that is all. A lot of the books I read as a kid were narrated by animals.

A flock of hapless sheep drive through the country in this rhyming picture book.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

This book was definitely one of my absolute favorites as a kid. The situation always made me laugh. My family would often make references to it in later situations.

Merging expressive cartoon network-esque illustrations with beautiful black and white photographs of Brooklyn, this funny story tells how Trixie and Knuffle Bunny’s trip to the laundromat with Dad goes terribly wrong when Trixie realizes some bunny’s been left behind…! Her attempts to alert Dad all the way home are unsuccessful, until Mom points out that Knuffle Bunny is missing and the family hotfoot it back to the laundromat. Fortunately, KB is safe, if a little wet…

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

I loved this book so much as a kid. I made my mom read it to me so many times, she had it fully memorized. I enjoyed the rhyming and the adventurous plot line.

Madeline is one of the best-loved characters in children’s literature. Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl’s trip to the hospital was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940 and has as much appeal today as it did then. The combination of a spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes Madeline a perennial favorite with children of all ages.

Corduroy by Don Freeman

This is one of those really sweet books. There are a lot of funny books and that will get kids laughing, but this one is the kind of book you read before bed.

Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time…

Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he’s the bear she’s always wanted. Her mother, though, thinks he’s a little shopworn—he’s even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a quick search through the department store for a new button!

Corduroy, with his unaffected simplicity and childlike emotion, is one of the best-loved bears in children’s books. His story has become an irresistible childhood classic, as basic and appealing as a small bear’s desire for a home and a friend and the perfect fulfillment found in the devotion of a young girl.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

I loved the rhyming in this book! I feel like this is a classic children’s book for learning the alphabet.

The 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book are a lowercase alphabet with attitude. “A told b, and b told c, ‘I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'”–which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. The palm tree standing straight and tall on the first page begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First the coconuts fall off, then (“Chicka chicka… BOOM! BOOM!”) all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath.

Llama Llama by Anna Dewdney

Wow, a lot of the books in this list are rhyming ones. Well, that’s what I liked as a kid, so it makes sense. This series was also so fun to read out loud, while also carrying a sweet message, particularly in this book.

Llama, Llama red pajama waiting, waiting for his mama. Mama isn’t coming yet. Baby Llama starts to fret. In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

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Did you read any of these books when you were younger?
Have any siblings read them?