Mr. Popper’s Penguins Audiobook by Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper’s Penguins Audiobook by Richard and Florence Atwater, read by Nick Sullivan.

We had a homeschool field trip that was a bit of a drive. At the library I found Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, read by Nick Sullivan, and it was perfect. It’s just two discs, approximately two hours unabridged. It is so completely silly and sweet and my 6-year-old loved it. I asked him if he wanted me to turn it off for a little break and he said no, twice. It’s unrealistic a few times, of course, but the main character is easy-going and is gifted a penguin, then another, and well, he ends up with a dozen penguins and no way to afford them. The language is completely safe and there are no questionable themes. I’m quite certain my son will pick it up in the future and ask to hear it again.

 

 

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

This 150+ page book was a quick read with large text, big spacing, and at least one picture per chapter. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit, well-loved by a little girl but then lost. As he finds out on his journey, his heart becomes lost as well. This book was perfectly safe to read to a 5 and 3-year-old. There is mention of an alcoholic father, but he comes and goes quickly, and is easily editable while reading. A little girl also dies. I just wanted to mention these things, but please, the book does not center around these, but indeed Edwards duel journeys, one for home and one for love.

 

Little House on the Prairie “My First Little House Books” by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House Books are adapted for younger children (suggested ages 3-8) in the My First Little House Books. Each story covers about equal to one topic of a chapter of a little house book. We recently purchased Prairie Day and County Fair from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s bookstore in Mansfield, MO. You can click here to see and purchase the titles: My First Little House Books. Upon our visit to Laura’s Mansfield Homes, we learned that her older sister Mary became blind. To us this may have helped Laura hone her descriptive skills, which are so telling to her authoring. She is direct and detailed with her style of writing which has preserved such a beautiful American story!

 

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

This is the book of the classic song I used to sing in school and girl scouts, “We’re going on a bear hunt, gonna catch a big one, we’re not scared, what a beautiful day.” I just knew my boys would get a kick out of it. We can rarely sit still when reading this one. This is a fun, easy read for when your bunch is feeling wiggly.

 

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss (Great Illustrated Classics)

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss (Great Illustrated Classics)

What an adventure this book is! All I knew of the Robinsons is that they were a shipwrecked family, but discovered while reading, they are NOT the typical castaways. This story is unique because this family is full of resources and supplies. So they are not starving and surviving, as much as just getting used to and exploring their new surroundings. Even my 2-year-old kept asking me to read more.  The only caution I will give is that in almost every chapter another animal is happily shot and killed, a little rough for our vegetarian family. However, we live near many hunters and know it is a good option. Enjoy this adventure, it will go by very quickly!

Just a side note: Great Illustrated Classics are an excellent read aloud option for young children because as my son says, “there is a picture on EVERY page!” The books are abridged,  but the stories are full of details and kept in tact.

 

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. GREAT ILLUSTRATED CLASSICS ABRIDGED VERSION Adapted by Marian Leighton. Illustrations by Pablo Marcos Studio.

This book is amazing! We loved it. It is fast paced and really fun. It was a great lesson in geography for my preschooler, a wonderful map is included in the back of the book and we followed it as we read. I never read this as a child, found it a Goodwill for cheap, told my preschooler it was about a man traveling the world in a hot air balloon (wrongly) and away we went. The only caution I had to use was a phrase “blow my brains out” very near the end. I’m not sure why that was even included and I just didn’t read it aloud. Also there was a woman who was going to be killed, but is rescued. Chapters go by so quickly, usually covering one city of the adventure, hence moving the story along quickly. I highly recommend this one.

 

Heidi by Johanna Spyri. ILLUSTRATED CLASSIC EDITIONS.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Adapted by Deidre S. Laiken.

Since I have a preschooler and a toddler, the Illustrated Classic Edition books are perfect for us! These books feature black and white pictures on every page. Heidi was a success even though it took a little convincing my preschooler to try it, as the cover illustration wasn’t very gripping. I enjoy reading these classics to my kids as I am always reintroduced to the details of the stories I have so long ago forgotten. Heidi is a very good character for a preschooler to see, as she is given many sad situations, yet always prevails and also inspires others! My preschooler particularly likes what she did for Clara in the story. We watched the 2005 movie (available at Netflix for immediate playback) and while my husband and I really enjoyed it, the kids not so much. So, they like the book better!

 

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey.

Robert McCloskey sure can make a children’s book. His illustrations are so detailed and beautiful to look at, even WITHOUT color! His stories are lively. I knew this book was a popular one to read to preschoolers, and after reading it, I understand why. I like how it shows that all creatures, human and animals, are similar. I adore the picture of Sal and her mother canning blueberries in their 40′s era kitchen. Was Robert a mother? He sure gets it! I liked the similarities between the characters, and I would read this again and again everyday to my child! Own this – my preschooler can’t get enough of it!

 

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Louise Colln

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Louise Colln.

Our copy is a Dalmatian Press adapted version, perfect for my preschooler. Each page features a picture, which my preschooler appreciates, and the story is easily readable to his level. We both enjoyed the story very much, as I have never read it before. It opened a whole new world up to my preschooler about horses. Just a note, there is a character who has an alcohol problem.