A few weeks ago, my baby niece turned 1. For the occasion, her parents requested that if anyone wanted to buy her a gift, to choose a favorite book from our childhood to share with her.

For my dear little niece, I chose one of my current favorite children’s books: Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. It’s about a giraffe who feels like an outsider until a friendly cricket teaches him how to find his own rhythm. My kind of book!

When I was a wee tot myself, though, I had never read that book. I had a different set of favorite books back then. This list could go on for days, but I’ll share just a few.

1.Mooncake by Frank Asch. Imaginative, fun, and charmingly simple. I must have asked to read this book a bajillion times. Thanks mom!

2. The Monster at the End of this Bookby Jon Stone. Mystery, suspense, surprise, Grover… again, what’s not to like? Plus, for the adult reading this book, this is like the primer course for how to read with expression- you can’t read this book in a boring way. It’s not possible.

3. Strega Nonaby Tomie dePaola. Nevermind that this is sort of a cautionary tale at a closer, adult look. A pot that cooks pasta forever? Could an 8 year old vegetarian wish for anything else? I still love this book. It has rhythm, legend, buildup, and a mysterious character. Sold.

4. Blueberries for Salby Robert McCloskey. This one inspired in me a lifelong dream of berry picking. A yet unrealized dream of berry picking. Minus the bear. These days when I think about it I get the song, “Blueberry Hill” in my head, which I don’t exactly love.

5. Love you Forever by Robert Munsch. Okay, who doesn’t melt when they read this book. Seriously, who, the Grinch? I’m pretty sure even his heart would melt if he read it with his momma too. I actually was chosen to read this book aloud in front of my elementary school. A ham in the making, I was. I am also, in fact, the baby of the family, so I like the part about always being a baby. Never grow up. Ever.

I also loved: The Lorax, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, all of my Sesame Street books, Madeline, the Velveteen Rabbit, Caps for Sale, Old Turtle, Corduroy, and If you Give a Mouse a Cookie.

What was your favorite book as a child? Do you still read childrens’ books (To your own kids, at work, to nieces or nephews, etc.)?

Meri