Well, I went to the book store today and got some new books. Click on the links to view them, or click on the “Children’s Books” heading on the sidebar.
1. Read With Dick and Jane – Go Away, Spot
2. A Day in the Life of a Firefighter
3. Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares
4. Read With Dick and Jane – Fun With Dick Jane
5. Sarah, Plain and Tall (Newbery Medalist)

I am having a ball looking at children’s books again but through a different set of eyes. I am evaluating these books (and others) for my class on Writing for Children. Many things have changed in the world of books since I was a child. They are more complex—most teach more than just reading—and the subject matter is very different. Yet, here they are, the Dick and Jane series, all over again. It’s fun to look at these books and remember being a little girl.

I was not the best reader in my first grade class. Far from it. When we had to read out loud, I read very slowly, stumbling on the words. Somewhere it all finally kicked in. You’d think I would have learned to read quickly since I was read to so much as a child. Go figure.

The Firefighter book astounds me. It is a level 1 Beginning to Read book with full color photographs.
“Rob and Pete inspect the restaurant. Is the fire exit light on?”
Beginning to Read???? My goodness! Compare that with the Dick and Jane books!

Another part of my assignment was to look at early chapter books. I looked and looked for topics that seemed interesting. Didn’t find any. In this early stage of reading I found plenty of fantasy books, books on super heroes, and books on American Presidents. Oh, I also found a book on sailing a boat. It looked like an encyclopedia article. Where were the good books? Didn’t find any. There didn’t seem to be a middle ground between completely shallow and completely biographical. Not at this particular book store, anyway.

What books did you enjoy as a child? What are you reading to your children or grandchildren? What are their favorite books? I’d love to know.

My 3 grandchildren all have their own copies of Sandra Boynton’s Doggies. Courtesy of Papa and Nana. No child should have to turn 1 without knowing how to “howl on a moonlit night!”

And for me–Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul–large print edition for these very tired eyes. Click on the link and read the first story on Amazon.com using the “search inside” feature. It will warm your heart.