I have always loved to read and read to my children even past the age when most others quit. It was something we loved to do. I would read. They would select books they wanted to read. We shared this love of literature and to this day recommend books to each other.

I have my favorite children's books that I will buy each of my children when they start giving me grandchildren. It is just my opinion based on what I like, the lessons I see in them, and the illustrartions inside. Please check them out at your local bookstore or library if you're interested.

"Old Turtle" by Douglas Wood. This book has breath-taking paintings in it and tells the story of all the creatures and all the trees and stones, everything on Earth start arguing about who and what God is. Finally Old Turtle yells, "STOP!" He then very eloquently imparts his vast wisdom. I won't give it away. The book is worth the money to find or even order.

"I'll Always Love You" by Hans Wilhelm. This is a simple and lovely book of a boy's love of Elfie, a dachshund. The boy gets her as a puppy and when both the boy and Elfie are young, they are full of energy. Elfie has no trouble keeping up with her boy. As the boy grows older, Elfie grows older as well, and slower. The boy takes care of her, carrying her when she finally needs his youth and strength. Dogs age faster than boys and Elfie dies. This moving book takes the family and the reader through the death of a beloved pet. It is an affirmation of the love the boy unashamedly felt for his little dog and the comfort he found in knowing that every night he told Elfie, "I'll always love you."

"A Tale of Three Trees A Traditional Folktale" by Angela Elwell. Lovely illustrations. This is a Christian story of how three trees were cut down and brought out of their forest by three woodcutters and ended up being the wood that built the manger, the boat, and the cross for Jesus. Perfect for Easter.

"Peach and Blue" by Sarah Kilbourne. I'm one of the few people I know who liked this book. My daughter found it at a garage sale, hardback, too. It had been read maybe once because the spine was still fresh. Peach is a peach who wants to see the world. Blue is a frog who helps get her out of the tree with the help of his hundreds of relatives. He can't show her the entire world but he can show her his pond. Blue shows Peach but it is Peach who also shows Blue his home. He sees it differently because he gets to see it through her eyes. The book ends hauntingly with Peach having to tell Bllue that she is "not as fresh as she once was when she hung on the tree." She knows she will not keep forever. Blue is aware that her life will be much shorter than his and he offers her the tenderness of his friendship and will stay with her forever, however long forever lasts. Beautiful book.

"Drac and the Gremlin" by Alan Baillie. What a wondeful book. It is a glorious, humerous tribute to children and imaginative play. The illustrations are worth it alone, especially when you get to the full page spread of the "Terrible Tongued Dragon." You'd have to be in a really bad mood not to smile.

"A Special Trade" by Sally Wittman. You may have a hard time finding this book. It may have to be orderd. It is a delightful story of a young girl and her grandfather and how as they both get older, things can end up getting reversed, for example, the grandfather used to push his granddaughter in her stroller. As they both age and the grandfather ends up in a wheelchair, his granddaughter can now push him. Their sidewalk adventures are sweet and moving.

"Grandfather Twilight" by Barbra Helen Berger. This book needs no words because it has very few words. It truly is a picture book with wonderous illustrations. It is perfect for looking through, reading, and soothingly putting little ones to bed.

"The Girl Who Cried Flowers and Other Tales" by Jane Yolen. Another book that may have to be ordered but worth the trouble. There are five stories inside with the titles: "The Girl Who Cried Flowers" - the story is just as it's titled. "Dawn Strider" - someone brings the sun. "The Weaver of Tomorrow" - demanding to know the future isn't always the best thing. "The Lad Who Stared Everyone Down" - pride and arrogance goeth before a fall. "Silent Bianca" - there can be more wisdom in saying little than in filling the air with a thousand words.

"How Does It Feel To Be Old?" by Norma Farber. I've loved this book for a long time. It's poetic. The drawings are done by the wonderful Trina Schart Hyman and only enhance the words. The book is easy to get but also try for the audio book. I do not know who reads it but her voice is magic.

Anything, literally anything by Tomie DePaola. My favorites are "Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs" and "The Clown of God." I've put a link to his joyful website below.

Last but not least, "The Bear on the Moon" by Joann Ryder. I love this book. The paintings are exquisite. The story tells of how white bears once had to spend all their time swimming in the great north sea. One bear swims to where the sea meets the sky and climbs up to the moon. She swipes bits of the moon off with her giant paw so her famiy and friends have huge ice chunks to rest upon. It is a beautiful fantasy of the phases of the moon.

I hope you investigate these books for the children in your life and the child inside yourself.