It just occurred to me that we are finishing out a decade in a few days! I know, I know - how could I miss something so obvious? At the end of the last decade I had recently bought our first house, finished up graduate school, traveled to Africa with my husband, planted a church, and was neck-deep in my early counseling career. My reading lists included epics like Man’s Search for Meaning, Breaking Down Barriers, and The Celebration of Discipline.

At the end of this decade, some things look different while others look very similar. We’re in a different house, around the corner from the church we planted. I am back around to a growing counseling career that I love, along with fulfilling the dream of teaching college. Allan gets to do all of the traveling with his work, which is a blessing and a curse. Then there’s those three kids (with a fourth for a while) added to the mix. As I write this, all the pillows & cushions in the house have been gathered in the living room for a fort. My son is wearing eight pairs of underwear on various parts of his body. My oldest girl is putting on a fashion show for me (“now I’m Oprah!”), while the youngest is dressing herself in the same dress she’s been wearing for the last two days. This is a great time of life!

My reading list has this past decade has been less theory and self-discovery and more alphabets and rhyming. Thank goodness I love children’s books! So to close out this decade I am compiling a list of my favorite children’s books of this past decade. These are an absolute must have for everyone’s library! In no particular order…

Skippyjon Jones

Judy Schachner writes the absolute best books about a little Siamese cat with a big imagination. These are a blast to read out loud, using my best Spanish accent.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

What a fun way to learn the alphabet! This great rhyming story does not get annoying like so many kids books. You will gladly end up reciting this one in your sleep.

Hooway for Wodney Wat

I LOVE Wodney, a cute little rat with an unfortunate speech impediment. He is the recipient of much playground teasing, until he alone conquers the formidable Camilla Capybara. Love, love this story!

My First Little House

This classic series has a great early reader version. The pictures are beautiful and it transports me right back to my Little House days of old. I especially like Dance at Grandpa’s.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder

I must have read Max Lucado’s sweet book about the love between a parent and child fifty times before I was able to get through it without tears. “God wants me to tell you about heaven…we’ll be there together forever.”

To Market, To Market

Another classic changed up for some great fun! The illustrations are hilarious with animals in all the cupboards and corners of the poor, frazzled lady’s kitchen as she attempts to make “hot soup for lunch”.

Jan Brett’s books

Jan Brett’s books are some of the most gorgeous out there. The Mitten and Goldilocks & the Three Bears are my personal favorites in her series. With or without kids, anyone will enjoy having these. They are captivating.

Guess How Much I Love You?

Ah, another sweet one. The little nutbrown hare and his daddy are trying to outdo each other in expressing their love for one another. So precious!

My Little Book About God, Where Did the Baby Go? & other Eloise Wilkins books

Her illustrations are so beautiful and were a favorite of my childhood.

Are You My Mother?

I love using all sorts of funny voices for the dog, cow, and of course, the indomitable Snort, in this classic.

Would You Like to Play Hide & Seek in This Book With Lovable, Furry Old Grover? & The Monster at the End of This Book

These two Sesame Street books are fun and creative and never grow old.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea 

One of my all-time favorite books! Jessie’s story is a bit long, so it works well for kids who have developed more of an attention span. But it is worth it! It is a beautiful story with the most gorgeous illustrations ever.

American Girl 

As we end this decade, we are entering the world of chapter books, like Junie B Jones & Magic Treehouse. The American Girl series are solid history lessons wrapped around great stories.

Get to a bookstore and add these to your collection! What are some I’m missing?

Posted in Parenting, Pre-School Age, Resources