Best Children's Books: Ten Top Selections for Pre-Schoolers

Children have cherished books for centuries now. They love books for different reasons. Sometimes their reasons even stump us adults. The following are ten carefully chosen books books for pre-schoolers, though some a little older still like them. We adults may struggle selecting books for children because we are looking for a plot or story line-we are maybe looking for excitement. But pre-schoolers want something they can understand, something fun, something with which they can identify, maybe something cuddly and comforting.

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, tight in its language yet exuberant in its pictures. When Max is trundled off to bed without his dinner, he imagines an adventure in the land of the Wild Things, where he meets a raucous collection of fanciful beasts. After some monster fun, he becomes homesick, awakens in his bedroom to find a piping hot supper waiting for him.

2. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff. Oh, that starving little mouse. Once you give him the cookie, you kick off a crazy trail of action! By the end of the story, the mouse, the boy that gives him the cookie, and maybe even the reader, are exhausted! Wonderful illustrations and a kooky lead character.

3. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is the only wordless tale in this list. A great book to begin getting a child interested in reading. A memorable story of a boy who makes and then befriends a snowman who enters his world and takes him out on a nighttime journey. The non-conclusive ending can also furnish a great beginning.

4. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. The author apparently accepted a wager that he couldn't write a story using only fifty words. "Do you like green eggs and ham? I do not like them Sam-I_am." This book's repetitive phrases, simple drawings and goofy charm make it one of the favorites and also a book to help kids learn how to read..

5. Curious George by H.A. and Margaret Rey. The has got to be the world's most beloved monkey! Curious George has had many thrilling adventures in his day, but it all starts with the first one, which has become a classic. Of course, we've got to introduce a new generation of readers to this crazy troublemaking chimp.

6. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Watch out for citified ducks... A great read aloud, this tale of two mallards who decide to raise their family in the Boston's Public Garden is an all-time favorite. Beautiful drawings and a great story have made this story one sought out by thousands.

7. No, David! by David Shannon. As little David somersaults from one outlawed activity to the next, with his mom shouting the title, David's naughtiness is quite impressive. Believe it or not, this kid's book has a "real" soundtrack: the text is drawn from a book the author produced when he was 5!

8. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McClosky. As Sal and her mom head toward a patch to pick blueberries, so do a mother bear and her cub. Eventually the young set swap moms for a cockeyed adventure tale and a comedy of errors. Kids like it.

9. The Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. This colorful classic depicts a very hungry insect eating his way through an apple, two pears, three plums, and a collection of other treats. Part of the trip includes readers learning about colors and counting-plus the added benefit of an intro to the life cycle of a caterpillar.

10. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. The story of a boy and his mom. While the mother continues to rock her boy to sleep-even if she must sneak into his bedroom to do it-life continues through stages as he grows up and his mom grows older. Eventually, he rocks his own aged mother to sleep. A touching cycle-of-life tale that may bring a tear to the eye.

So, parents, grandparents, teachers, and other assorted readers, here are ten sure winners for pre-schoolers. I hope it helps you in the unending quest for the love and satisfaction of the young-uns.

Want to find some of the very best books for pre-schoolers or tots? Check out this website that contains hundreds of the most popular arranged by age group and story description. http://www.books-to-grow-by.com

A Review of the Dinosaur Detectives Handbook - A Dinosaur Book for Children

The Dinosaur Detectives Handbook Reviewed

From a teacher's perspective dinosaur books can prove very helpful as they can encourage de-motivated children to take up reading in earnest. Some children from about the age of six, particularly boys can become less interested in reading, other activities such as video games can become a distraction for them. If they have an interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric animals then the "Dinosaur Detectives Handbook" can be a help in getting them to read more. This is a well-written, informative text that is packed full of dinosaur themed statistics.

Child Friendly Book About Prehistoric Animals

Child friendliness and educational qualities and perhaps most importantly of all, a thumbs up from children in the age range that the book is aimed at are all useful things to consider when choosing a book about dinosaurs for your child.

The new Dinosaur Detectives Handbook has just gone through an extensive peer review process and came out the other side with a big thumbs up from young readers.

Field Guide to the Dinosauria

This spiral bound, book, designed to look like the sort of field guide you would take on a nature walk is jam-packed with facts and information on dinosaurs. Fifty different dinosaurs are featured. The book reminded the children of the sort of invaluable note book that they see palaeontologists use when they are mapping a palaeontological dig site.

Maps, Stickers and Fact Files About Dinosaurs

The book includes maps, stickers, fact files, scale drawings and lots of illustrations and for each dinosaur, readers can make their own notes, add a picture and tick-off where they might have seen it - on television, in films, books or on line.

Thanks to the dinosaur experts and researchers who have helped compile this book, most of the prehistoric animals featured in the book are covered very accurately and there is an abundance of up to date dinosaur facts and figures. As a hardback book, the book will stand up well to wear and tear, yet it is easily small enough to fit inside a child's rucksack.

All in all, the book represents extremely good value. It is aimed at children aged 5 years and above and it really gets them into the subject. There is even a handy glossary at the back to explain some of the more difficult words and we love the fact that a pronunciation guide for those long dinosaur names is provided.