"Norma Jean, Jumping Bean" by Joanna Cole, Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

There are a million books out there like this, but for some reason, I find this one very pleasurable to read. Norma Jean gets herself into trouble in much the same ways I do. I relate to Norma Jean, who almost allows her wounded pride to keep her from having a good time.
Bowden loves having this read to him. There were a few weeks in a row in which he requested it every day, sometimes multiple times.
(Random House Books, 1987)

"Puppies Are Like That" by Jan Pfloog

Bowden got this book for his first Christmas in 2003 as a board book, and his Aunt Rosie promptly named it, "Puppies are Totally like that." It has been one of Bowden favorites since, and Lucy has recently discovered it. She has a limited vocabulary, but "dah" for dog, is one of her staples.
For any child that like dogs, this book is perfect. It has puppies doing all the fun puppies stuff, and makes you want to hug and kiss and squeeze the puppies. I have also found much opportunity to use sound effects in reading this book, always a plus.

Bowden loves it when you find out what puppies ought not to bark at.
Lucy thinks that this book is worth sitting through three pages, and that's saying something good.
(Random House Childrens Books, 1975)

"Python's Party" by Brian Wildsmith

In this colorful story, hungry Python desires a meal, but the animals, knowing of his hunger, stay away from him. He devises a way to trick the animals into coming near him, and uses their love of fun and entertainment to get them in his belly.
Brian Wildsmith has written a number of books, and I love them all, but this book has such a strange story, and a very backward ending. I actually feel sorry for Python...he never wins.
The illustrations are beautiful, and this book is really a joy to look at. Someone handed down this book to us- thanks!
Bowden loves the tricks the animals do, but especially loves it when Elephant steps on Python's tail. Apparently he does not feel for Python the way I do.

Lucy likes to chew on this book.
(Oxford University, 1991)

"Jellybeans for Breakfast" by Miriam Young, illustrated by Beverly Komoda

This book, selling for between 200 to 279 dollars online, was one of my favorites as a child. I don't own it, and before I knew how rare it was or how much it cost, I searched all the Barnes and Nobles, Borders and B. Daltons I could find. I never found it, until I went online and saw how many people loved this book as a child, and now want to own it.
So why is it out of print?
The book is wonderful- full of "what-if"s and treehouses. If I were to write a children's book, it would probably be like this one. In looking it up, you'll find it used as an example of fanciful thinking, of idealism, and of fun, fun, fun.
Bowden has no opinion about this book, and neither does Lucy. Someday I will find this book for 50 cents at a yard sale, print copies of it for all, and NOT SELL IT. What does that say about me?
(Atheneum, 1968)

"Tuesday" by David Wiesner

I saw this book in the store, picked it up, and determined to buy it immediately. The frogs in this story are the main characters, taken for an amzing ride. They seem not to know what to do at first, but then settle in good-naturedly, as all frogs do.
This book challenges you to consider what God's creatures are doing while we're asleep. I like how pleasant it is.
Bowden tells me that he has seen frogs on lily-pads, flying through the air outside. This book is worthwhile if only for that.
(Clarion Books, 1991)

"The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" by Paul Goble

When I first began collecting children's books- after I had become "too old" for them, I had an idea in mind that the books I collected ought to be the kind of books that would make my children better. There were a few important issues that I felt that children's books could make an impact for...namely, the importance of imagination, the joy of asthetics, and the idea of acceptance and diversity as intrinsic in our idea of love.
What?
I think what I am trying to say is that I bought books that I thought were original and beautiful and different...and this book was a perfect example. I love the bold lines and colors of Paul Goble's world, and the story is not one a child would hear often, and it represents a culture that existed right here in our country, but has been largely fogotten by people like me.
I love new fairy tales, and this is a good one.
Bowden loves the horses...he can name them, and he likes to find the other animals as well.
(Simon & Schuster/Aladdin Paperbacks, 1978.)

"You're A Winner, Tractor Mac" by Billy Steers

Now, this book isn't drawn better than any other, and it doesn't have the best storyline, but I love what it does have- a world of tractors.
Bowden loves tractors. If we pass one on our walk he begs to be put on it. He has imaginary tractors that he likes to take for rides.
I have no idea where we got this book from, but I do know that the day we first read it to Bowden was a great day, for Bowden.
This book has grown on me. I like that it shows a tractor pull, somthing I doubt Bowden would ever have reason to know about otherwise. Thanks, Tractor Mac, for opening up his horizons.
Bowden now believes that tractors have feelings.
(Dogs In Hats Children's Publishing, 2003)

"Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Clement Hurd

I was never attracted to this book because I judge most children's books by their covers, I admit it, and the colors never drew me in. But, after growing up and having one boy to entertain, we were given a board book of it, and since Bowden would sit for me even as a little tiny baby boy, I read this to him, and he enjoyed it.
Then I heard a lullaby by a country band that talked about this book, and finding the mouse, and I realized how fun this book really is. I love it for how simple it is, how soothing and quiet, and Bowden loves to find the mouse, and screech when it eats the food, and say, "Aaah..." when it looks out the window.
Bowden is not put to sleep by this book, but it is a joy to read.
(Harper Trophy, 1947)

"The Ear Book" by Al Perkins, illustrated by William O'Brian

This book was another hand-me-down from the St. Albans Police Department, and what I love most about it is the rhythm. If read correctly, this book produces such a moving beat that you can't help but sway a bit. It plays with your ears, which I appreciate, in light of what it is about.
Bowden will move to this book, and laugh at the noises, and lean in to hear the soft sounds.
(Random House, 1968)

"Curious George And The Puppies" illustrated in the style of H.A. Rey by Vipah Interactive

Now, I believe that this book was made by a computer, or a group of random people, but boy, can that computer make a sweet book. We bought this book for Bowden last year at the marriage retreat because it contained two things Bowden loved- puppies and monkeys, or a monkey.
I had never read the Curious George books before, and I really love how sweet and harmless he is, and how much he reminds me of Bowden, who gets into more trouble before he realizes that that's what he's doing. I actually like this book better than the original Curious George book, but that could be because I read it first.
Bowden just loves this book- because of the monkey and puppies. At the end, the man in the big yellow hat asks George if he wants a puppy of his own, and George does, and Bowden says, "Me, too!"
(Houghton Mifflin, 1998)

"When I Have A Little Girl" by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Hilary Knight

This is the perfect book to read to crazy kids- who are more like goats than anyone with a good child can know.
I bought this book when I was 16, because it spoke to me about how I was, and I now appreciate it for what it says about my son. I think that there is a boy version of this book, but I like the wild little girl, her wild hair, and her fat belly.
Bowden gets ideas from this book.
(Harper Trophy, 1965)

"A Peaceable Kingdom; The Shaker Abecedarius" illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen

"Alligator, Beetle, Porcupine, Whale,
Bobolink, Panther, Drangonfly, Snail,
Crocodile, Monkey, Buffalo, Hare,
Dromedary, Leopard, Mud Turtle, Bear,..."

and so on. This book has the traditional Abecedarius from the Shaker Manifesto of 1882, illustrated winningly by the pair above. I took this book out of the library- I don't even own it! I want to take it, to gaze on it lovingly, and greedily, I know, but I won't. I will share it.
It first attracted me with the title- "A Peaceable Kingdom." If I wrote a children's book, this is the title I would like. And it has the word Abecedarius, which I had never seen before, but shall never for all my days forget it because it is a truly magnificent word, isn't it. Oh, gush, gush, gush.
Bowden likes the different animals, and does not mind that fictional animals, like the xanthos, are put with bears and moths. He doesn't know they're fictional, and why should he?
(Viking Press, 1978)

"Three Men Who Walked In Fire" by Joann Scheck, illustrated by Sally Mathews

And who were they? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, of course. This Daniel 3 super-revised story is part of a series that my mom bought for my sister and I when we were smaller..."Quality Religious Books For Children." I loved this story- my mother took such joy in saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and To Bed You Go!" at the end of the story reading, if it was bedtime, and sometimes when it wasn't.
The book gives personalities to the three men, and there is no mention of Daniel at all, but I felt comforted by this story then, even in its sillier form.
My mom, possibly thinking it was too silly, wrote in these words at the end of the book, "All of the sudden, their king knew that their God was the One that was true!"
Bowden does not really care about the book, but thinks that fire is neat. (Uh, oh.)
(Arch Books, 1968)

"Wee Mouse's Peekaboo House" by Jean Hirashima

This is, without exception, my favorite board book. It's about a little Momma mouse who plays hide-and-seek with her mousey children, by name, Lou, Mabel, Willow, Tom, Arden, and Marty. What I love most about the book is the mouse's house- it is nearly perfect. It is charming. It is cozy-looking. It has huge scissors on the wall, but I can forgive that, since they are mice. Wee Mouse has a penchant for lovely patterned fabrics and lots of pillows, and I want to visit her, or just move in.
Bowden likes to find the mice children first, but he usually has a problem with little Arden, in the garden.
(Random House, 1991)

"Who Lives Here?" by Dot and Sy Barlowe

My mother used to read this book to us, and when I found it on her bookshelves a few years ago and opened it up, I was struck with the same facination for the way these animals live that I had had as a child. Really, the book is amazing- the beaver dam picture alone is very detailed and you can't help but put yourself in their little dam home, cozy and safe.
The hollow tree page is another brilliant picture.
Bowden goes crazy over this book, and sometimes I try to skip paragraphs because it's a little lengthy, and so far, he doesn't really notice. This is his favorite book to sit down and read to himself.
(Random House, 1978)

Joyful Noise; Poems For Two Voices, by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Eric Beddows

I bought this book way back in 1995 for my very future children, but I never had a chance to read it with someone else until my recent beach trip with my sister and family- and we didn't even read it to Bowden and Lucy.
I love the idea of this book- it's about insects, but the poems are split into two parts that harmonize or interweave depending on the nature of the insect. It's a beautiful idea, and I think that Bowden would like to hear it read by both his parents.
Bowden does enjoy the bug pictures, even though generally he's wary of most bugs.
(Harper Trophy, 1988)

"Where The Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

This book is about my son. Bowden is Max. Of course I have to put this book in, but really, I love this book in a totally different way since Bowden became a wild thing himself.
He loves to have me read this to him, but he's a little afraid of the Wild Things. He's a quite sensitive boy sometimes, when he's not roaring at the birds in our bird feeder.
Everyone knows this book, so I won't say more about it.
Bowden likes the scene where the Wild Things and Max are hanging from the trees during their rumpus.
(HarperCollins Publishers, 1963)

"Happy Baby;Touch, Feel And Say"

There are four books in the collection I own- "Bunny and Friends," "Puppy And Friends," "Duckling And Friends," and "Kitten And Friends." I received them as a baby shower present from someone from our wonderful Trinity Presbyterian Church about a month after we began to attend.
These were the first books I read to Bowden. I'd prop him up with pillows on our bed, and read the little captions, and then move his hand to feel the textures when he was three months old. He would be attentive the entire time- he would be still and quiet and completely satisfied. I think I did it at least every other day. I read it to Lucy now, and have since she was three months old, but not as regularily as I did with Bowden. She gets diastracted if he's around, and so my time to read it without him is limited.
I don't know that I would give these books the credit for Bowden's advanced language comprehension skills, but they made it easy for us to interact at a point when he didn't do much but cryeatpoopcryeatsleepcrysmilecrysleepeateateat. I try to buy these books for new parents.
Bowden still loves these books, and has me read him the set every few days. He likes to growl at all the animals, even if they aren't growlers.

"Old Hannibal And The Hurricane" by Berthe Amoss

This book reads so nicely- so smooth and sweet, and it demands an Irish baroque. I love reading this book to Bowden, and I try to get him to pick it more than he wants.
I don't know of any "bedtime" book for children of Bowden's age that makes it so easy to read the drama. I have no idea where we got this book- probably a hand-me-down from someone at the P.D. judging from the way it just showed up at my house, but I am glad we have it.
Bowden loves a good sea story, but who doesn't?
(Hyperion Books For Children, 1991)

"Danny And The Dinosaur" by Syd Hoff

I can never really figure out if Syd Hoff wrote the story, and then drew the pictures, or if he drew the pictures and put them together into some kind of story. I'm guessing the latter, because this book, and some of his others, read a little like dubbed kung-fu movies.
And I like that.
Apparently, so does Bowden. This book was on the bedtime story rotation for a very long time, and I grew to like it more and more. I love the way the dinosaur is a very soft and fuzzy character...almost like a plush brontosaurus instead of a fierce reptile. I don't even think the dinosaur is a representation of any real dinosaur, but it's a good book.
Bowden now believes that he can find a dinosaur somewhere and take it home.
(Scholastic, 1958)

"Paddle-To-The-Sea" by Holling Clancy Holling

Josh saw this book somewhere and was very excited about it- this was back in our about-to-have-our-first-child excitement, and he really wanted to get it, but at the time we didn't have the money.
Then we saw it in the window of a little shop on Church Street, used, and literally ran in to get it.
It's beautiful...creative... and has Josh's Lake Champlain in it, so how could we not adore it? This book says a lot about what kind of boy we hope Bowden grows up to be.
Bowden likes canoes, and this book has that.
(HoughtonMifflin Company, 1941)

"Horton Hatches The Egg" by Dr. Seuss

I never read this book as a child. It wasn't until someone from the St. Albans P.D. gave us a load of books that I even really knew about it. I think we read this book to Bowden every night for a few months, and it is long.
I got to the point where I was reciting much of it, and not reading it, and I found myself repeating lines to it in my head during the day, like you would with any good poem. One of my favorites,
"H-m-m-m...the first thing to do, "murmured Horton,
"Let's see....
The first thing to do is to prop up this tree
And make it much stronger. That has to be done
Before I get on it. I must weigh a ton."
It's a very handy thing to say when climbing trees with your child. Try it.
Bowden likes the happy ending.
(Random House, 1940)

"Dinotopia" by James Gurney

I first saw this book on a trip to the La Brea tar-pits with my school- it was in the Natural History Museum.
I am not the biggest fan of dinosaurs, but this book is so amazingly beautiful, and the fairytale-ness of it made me adore it. I was 14 or so, and the book was about 50 dollars, so I read it, too long, as the rest of the class went around looking at stuffed creatures and rocks, and then left it there.
When I got to be a big person, as I am now, I bought the book for myself using way too much of a paycheck, but it is worth it- the story is interesting, but the pictures are amazing. Bowden "reads" this book more than any other- he may think that dinosaurs and people actually coexist happily somewhere, but why not? He believes in Widjiwats.
Bowden likes the baby dinosaurs, of course, and the pictures of the "Skybax" dinosaurs and riders.
(HarperCollins Publishers, 1992)

"What Was That!" by Geda Bradley Mathews, pictures by Normand Chartier

Josh and I found out that we were pregnant, and immediately began thinking of the books we wanted to read our new baby- this was one of Josh's favorite books as a child, and conjures up all kinds of glad memories of his childhood. It's about three bear brothers who get frightened by noises in the night, and comfort each other by explaining them as good night-time noises. I love it because of how Bowden gets so into it- he seems worried at the noise, and then satisfied with how they become cozy, pleasant sounds. And it uses the word "skedaddle."
Bowden brings me this book and describes it, laughing in anticipation, with "They skedaddled out of bed and swoosh!"
(Western Publishing, 1975)

"Who Do You See?" by Annie Paulson

My mother is a kindergarten teacher, and when I was growing up she was a preschool teacher, which is why this book came to be. It is very tumbled and crumbled, but that's only because my sister and I loved it so much.
It's easy to do with your kids- my mom went to the zoo with us and had us take pictures of different animals, then put them together, like this,
"Flamingo, Falmingo, who do you see?"
"I see monkey looking at me!"
And so on. (Just as a sidenote, my parents always told my sister and I that we were really monkeys from the zoo who had taken the place of the real Sarah and Rosie, and we believed them.)
The best part in this book is the ending with our dog, Bop. How's that for a twist, hmm?
Bowden loves animals, and his favorite are the flamingos- not the bears or elephants.

"Skippyjon Jones" by Judy Schachner

Once I began reading to Bowden, I discovered that he appreciated any voice I could make up for any character. This is good, since I talk in my own voice only 15 percent of the time.
So when I was walking through Borders and found this book, full of crazy voices and crazier characters (a cat who thinks he's a bird, and then thinks he's a chihuahua?!) I fell in love, and bought it for myself as a birthday present.
I have read this book to Bowden millions of times, to my mom, to random children in the street (well, the kids I sometimes baby-sit) and to our teenage staff kids here at camp, and everyone loves it.
Bowden likes to be called "Mr Fluffer-Nutter" by me, just like Skippyjon.
(Dutton Children's Books, 2003)

"I Am Too Absolutely Small For School" by Lauren Child

I'll admit it- I saw the "Charlie and Lola" cartoon before I read this book, and I loved it, so I bought the book for the monkeys(aka Bowden and Lucy). I love how Charlie is with Lola- he is what I hope Bowden will be for Lucy. Lauren Child does an amazing job- the pictures are mostly collages and some of the patterns used have a little vintage feel.
Bowden loves this book and has an imaginary brother and sister named Charlie and Lola.
(Candlewick Press, 2003)