Written by If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for a fresh, new read, or eager to rediscover an old favorite. With this in mind, I decided it was time to survey the First Book staff to see their favorite First Book Marketplace titles for winter reading.
My favorite is: Frog and Toad all Year by Arnold Lobel. As a kid, I loved reading about finding lost buttons and all the other adventures shared by Frog and Toad. As an adult, I appreciate the fact that Toad doesn’t like to get out of bed.
No matter whether you’re inside waiting for the snow to stop falling or catching spring fever, I think you’ll enjoy the list and comments below. Visit the First Book Marketplace to find hundreds of great reads for the children in your program.
Diane’s pick: Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower by Peggy Parish
“I loved how literally she interpreted everything (a “date” cake stuffed with a shredded calendar? Hilarious!) but even more, I loved watching my mom (an immigrant and relatively recent English learner herself) shake with laughter reading it to me.”
Rose’s pick: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
“You can never forget the magic of Lucy, Edward, Susan, and Peter’s adventures in Narnia.”
Matthew’s pick: Daddy Goes to Work by Jabari Asim
“There are few picture books about ‘Take Your Child to Work Day’ (the next on April 23rd), particularly ones that depict an African American family like Daddy Goes to Work. What I love most about this story is the sweet rhyming couplets that make up the loving conversation between father and daughter as she joins him for a busy day at work in the big city.
After many years with the Washington Post, Asim is now a professor at the University of Illinois and is considered one of the most influential African-American literary and cultural critics of his generation. As a DC-area resident, I miss Asim’s column on politics and culture in the Post every week and I’m excited to pick up his new non fiction book, What Obama Means: for Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future!”
Joan’s pick: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
“I read Charlotte’s Web when I was a girl, and I thought that Wilbur was “some pig” then. Now, I’ve revisited the collection of E.B. White tales, and read them to my own children, and they were loved by my boys and my daughter. They all have such a good message for kids today. In the words of Charlotte the spider, I think that is TERRIFIC!”
Andy’s pick: Little Bear’s Visit by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak
“The pictures are adorable… there, I said it. And what little kid doesn’t imagine that he’s a bear?”
Jane K’s pick: Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry
“Her courage and tenacity to not let anyone stand in the way of freedom is truly an inspiration.”
Chandler’s pick: The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams
“My very favorite FBMP title is The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Ramsey, read this title to us aloud and cried at the end of the book. I remember thinking that if a book was able to make a grown-up cry (and not even be embarrassed about it) that books must be pretty powerful things. In addition to being about my very favorite animal, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of what it means to be loved and what it takes to become “real”– an important reminder for kids and adults.”
Tonya’s pick: That Book Woman by Heather Henson
“It’s my favorite because I can relate to the story based on the location and availabilities of individuals in the rural South.”
What are your favorite winter reads? Do you remember reading anything on this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
