FIVE CLASSIC BOOKS YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD READ

(guest blogger Paul Taylor)

Think back to your childhood and you probably remember spending nights snuggled up next to your parents as they read to you, or huddled under covers with a flashlight far past bedtime, sneaking in a few more pages of your favorite book. Many parents look back fondly on the books they read growing up, in a time that was far removed from the technology crazed society we live in today. However just because video games and TV shows have become the social norm doesn’t mean our children should go to sleep devoid of bedtime stories. These five books will appeal to children of varying ages, and are classics from previous generations that continue to make their mark on current ones:

       The Velveteen Rabbit – This story follows a stuffed rabbit that is the companion of a young boy and has hopes of becoming real one day. The rabbit learns that the only way he’ll ever be real is through the unwavering love of his owner, and the love shared between him and the boy gives him hope that he’ll one day be real. One day the boy falls ill, and once recovered is told he has to burn all of the toys that he had contact with during his illness, including the rabbit. Before he is thrown into the fire the rabbit is granted his wish of becoming real, and he goes on to live in the woods with the other rabbits. 

           MakeWay for Ducklings – This book begins as a mother and father duck hunt for places to raise ducklings. They travel all around Boston searching for a suitable place to raise a family, and pass by several famous landmarks in the process. The ducks molt their feathers and are unable to fly anymore, and during this time have eight ducklings. They then are tasked with crossing the highway to reach the place that they eventually want to settle down; however none of the cars will stop for the family of ducks to cross the street.  Finally a policeman sets up a crossing for them, and police all around town station themselves at risky points to make sure that the ducks get home safely. 

      

          Where the Wild Things Are – In this troubled tale a young boy is sent to bed without dinner after running around his house causing mischief while dressed up as a wolf. As he sulks in his room he soon finds his room transforming into the Land of the Wild Things, and he faces the monsters and creatures that inhabit the land. He eventually proves that he is King of the Wild Things, and runs around the forest with the creatures, and they wreak havoc together. Finally the boy realizes he doesn’t fit in with the monsters and finds himself homesick. When he gets home his mom has left supper in his bedroom for him. 

        ToKill a Mockingbird – Set during the Great Depression, this story follows young Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill, as they try to figure out their mysterious neighbor Boo Radley. The Finch children’s father, Atticus, is a lawyer who is hired to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman.Despite proving Tom’s innocence, Tom is still executed. Though Atticus told the children not to come to the trial, they sneak in anyways and witness this betrayal of the justice system. From there, controversial events continue to unfold, and the story offers some insight into what life was like before there was the resounding equality we enjoy today. 

5       TheAdventures of Tom Sawyer – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book about a young boy – Tom – who is quite mischievous and always getting into trouble. The book follows Tom as he gets in trouble for skipping school and is forced to whitewash a fence, tricks his peers into whitewashing the fence for him, falls in love with a girl and convinces her to kiss him so that they’re engaged, witnesses a murder, runs away to become a pirate with two of his friends, finds out that the town thinks that he and his two friends have died, and appears at his own funeral to the pleasure of the town. Several other adventures ensue, and the book segues into The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

These books have been held near and dear to the hearts of many, and will continue to make an impression upon our children if we make sure to expose them to these great works. Classic literature is something that will slowly fade away in the wake of technology unless we do everything in our power to ensure that it does not.

Guest blogger

Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “babysittingjobs.com/”. He personally thinks his blog will help finding information on all things related to a babysitter.