As an avid reader, one of the few declarations I made prior to my children being born that has stuck is that we would be a family of readers and we would be surrounded by books. I remember being engrossed in the Ramona series (by Beverly Cleary) when I was younger, devouring anything by Judy Blume, and being captivated by The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (and the remainder of the Narnia series).

These books are classics – and they are classics because their engrossing stories truly can withstand the test of time. When I questioned friends on their favorite children’s books (in this case, books for kids eight years and younger), many people suggested Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, Margaret Brown’s Goodnight Moon, and anything and everything by Dr. Seuss (the man did no wrong – my kids particularly love Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose). They are well-loved favorites that most of us already have on our shelves – I wanted to explore some stories that might perhaps be a little-less familiar to you, but great additions to your family library nonetheless.

Leonardo The Terrible Monster by Mo Willems. We borrowed this book from the library, have renewed it twice and we will be going out to buy this so we can read it over and over (without incurring late charges!). This story is a great length for reading to the kiddos – not so short that they feel you are ducking out of reading time – but not so long that anyone loses interest. Leonardo, as the title suggests is a monster who is not so great at his job of scaring people. He’s on a mission to “scare the tuna salad” out of someone. Mo Willems is a genius – we have loved every book of his that we’ve read : Knuffle Bunny, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The Fancy Nancy series (which includes Fancy Nancy  and Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly) is a favorite of my six-year-old daughter. The illustrations are bright and engaging and the title character is a little girl, much like my own, who likes to be as fancy and grown up as she can. This is fun because not only does she remind me of my daughter, her use of big words and the way they are broken down (“Ecstatic” is a fancy word for “happy”) allow you to throw some fifty cent words at your kids while entertaining them. And you’ll be ecstatic to hear them use Nancy’s vocabulary in their day-to-day doings.

I Like Myself is written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow and falls into the category of books that are more empowering. Particularly as a mother of daughters, I am conscious all the time of making sure that the books I select send the right message. This one has it. With rhyming prose and silly illustrations the point that we should like ourselves for who we are is given to us lightly rather than beaten into our heads.

The Day the Babies Crawled Away is written and illustrated by Caldecott Medal Winner Peggy Rathmann. The silhouetted illustrations complement the adventures of a group of babies that chase after butterflies, crawling away from where their families are picnicking. The text is rhythmic and the repetition is enough that by the end, your children can recite certain parts with you. It truly is a beautiful book.

What are the go-to books in your children’s book arsenal? Tried and true favorites among your kids?

Sarah talks books, music and that whole mom thing over at The Mom Chronicles.