Our Book Basket

A large basket sits on the end table in our living room. In it we keep a box of kleenexes, the remotes, and books. Lots and lots of books. I change them out for seasons and holidays but there's some that are good basics, ones that we put in over and over again and that my kids really love. Any ole you could probably find at least one of the following tucked into our book basket:

Look Inside Your Body

I picked this book up at an Usborne party because my kids were always asking me questions about how their bodies work and I wanted something to help me explain it all to them. It's really well illustrated and it presents the information in a way that my 4 and 5 year olds easily understood.

The Weight of a Mass

This book is told a bit like a fairy tale, with beautiful illustrations and an interesting plot. It ends with a lovely, humble twist and me choking back tears. This little tale of a miracle shows how special the Mass is and is actually based on a true story (!). It's one of my favorites.

Telling the Time

This is a sweet book about a happy, hardworking family whose two kids are learning to tell time. My almost 2 year old loooooves this book. My kindergartner loves this book. Everyone in between loves this book. I like it because it can be read as a story, it can be used as a teaching tool, and it can just be a simple picture book.

The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales

This book is a little thicker but has a collection of shorter stories about the Boot family, who lives on Apple Tree Farm. The pictures are really cute - there's farm animals, trains, tractors, and all kinds of other things little kids love. The stories are all really sweet without being simple and cheesy. I also like this book because it's one of the Usborne books that has two levels of reading. The top of the page has a shorter telling of the story and the bottom has a longer telling. Have a new, young reader? Have them read to themselves from the top. Want a story that's a bit longer to fill the time? Read the story at the bottom.

My Sister Is Annoying and Other Prayers

This is a collection of prayers written as poems relating to every day life. Scary dreams, making new friends, getting in trouble, waking up in the morning, have quiet time with God - all of these things and more are dealt with in prayers that are written as poems. I really like that it models how we can (and should!) talk to God about anything and everything, telling Him how we really feel. I also like how the prayers/poems always end with confidence in God and His love. The illustrations are cute, bright, and colorful and well done.

Where the Wild Things Are

This, of course, is a classic and one that my boys especially love. There's nothing else to say about this book. It's a classic for a reason.

Freight Train

My boys love this book so much it has been taped back together multiple times and the cover is missing. It very simply teaches colors and some train basics in a quick read of a book. With very few words the author created a wonderful book.

Angel in the Waters

Honestly, I feel like the wording in some parts of this book is awkward. (When I read this to my children I tend to do some editing and change the words in places.) However, the overall story is wonderful and the illustrations are gorgeous. I've found this book to be a great one to read when I'm pregnant and my kids become very interested in the growing baby in my womb. It also addresses Guardian Angels in a beautiful way.  Ben Hatke is hands down my favorite illustrator ever and I have a dream of writing a children's book about Fulton Sheen that he will illustrate.

Jonathan James and the What-If Monster

This book is fun to read aloud. The meter this book is written in is perfect - not too sing-songy but a definite rhythm. I love it, though, because of the lesson which is a good one for kids and grown ups to remember.

Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash

This book is silly, cute, and fun. My kids and I like how she solves the problem of her great big squash and we all think it's a fun one to read aloud. Plus, it always makes us want to go outside and dig in the dirt!

The Big Red Barn

Another classic. I think this book is beautifully written. It's a perfect bedtime book - it ends so quietly, so peacefully. All my kids have loved this book, it's sweet rhymes, silly animal noises, and pretty illustrations. A must-have in my eyes.


What about you? What children's books are staples in your book basket?
And do you want to add a few great books to your collection? Molly at Molly Makes Do is hosting an Usborne book giveaway. She's giving away three great titles so head over and get registered. Her contest ends Friday.