Books Worthy of Their Eager, Wondering Minds and Souls

"Children need to hear beautiful language if they are to speak and write beautifully. They need to hear stories of love and courage and joy and sorrow so their imaginations are fired and their hearts expanded. They need to hear the language of Rudyard Kipling, the whimsy of A. A. Milne, the sorrow of Oscar Wilde, the mystery of Hans Christian Andersen, the wisdom of E. B. White, the terror of the Brothers Grimm, the wildness of Dr. Suess . . . there is no shortage of magnificent children’s literature. Children have little enough time for reading in their busy, scheduled lives. When they read, or when they listen, what we give them should be worthy of their eager, wondering minds and souls."


I read the above quote in an article from First Things.  Go there and read ALL the lovely words Kari Jenson Gold shares.

What are you and your kids reading this summer?  Share your recommendations, please.

3 comments:

Christine said...

That was a great article. I would love a list of books for kids. I would buy them and start a library!!!

Anonymous said...

My girls are reading a variety of books. My ninth grader is reading Middle Ages historical books, my sixth grader....classical choices. Anne of Green Gables is currently her book of choice.
I cannot agree with you more about the language they input from the books they read.
Nice, encouragin post.
Sue

Anonymous said...

Great article. The thing that bugs me mist about children's book illustrations today is that they are so garishly drawn. There is no whimsy or beauty. In the 40's, Virginia Lee Burton wrote and illustrated The Little House. The story is so sweet, and the illustrations are beautiful. I also enjoy the historical books (for younger kids) by the D'Aulaire's. (Ben Franklin, Abe Lincoln, George Washington). All of the books by Holling C. Holling are informative and also great illustrations. (Tree in the Trail, Minn of the Mississippi)-probably for older Tweens? I hate taking my kids to the library, it seems like all the books are so pc.

Owl at Home is not a "literary classic", but my kids and I have all enjoyed reading that book. It's by Albert Lobel ( author of Frog and
Toad). Owl at Home is an easy reader book, but you will laugh right along with your kids as they read it.
Ckdexterhaven

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