Books have a special place in our home.
Our bookshelves are always full. Double and triple stacked sometimes, with everything from cookbooks to business manuals to novels of all kinds.
But storybooks are my favorite. There’s magic in between the covers of a good storybook. Danger. Adventure. Love. Everything that a young boy or girl needs to inspire them to see the world through different eyes.
Our kids are generous readers. I’m grateful that their teachers feed their reading appetite, but I want them to find motivation at home even more. I want our kids to grow up in a home that not only encourages reading but participates in the activity together as often as possible.
It almost seems counterculture these days to turn off the television, put down the smartphone, pile into an oversized chair and to crack open a book. Time slows down as the imagination blossoms. These times spent with the kids are so important. And I hope when they grow up they remember the words and the images and the moments shared together, and I hope they carry on the tradition with their own children.
One story at a time.
There are a lot of really good stories available to share as a family. Here are some of our favorites.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien
Where the Red Fern Grows by Laurel Leaf
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Ice Dragon by George RR Martin
A quote by my favorite author Neil Gaiman has lingered with me for a long time:
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
— Neil Gaiman
What kind of world would it be without fairy tales?
Stories are important. They not only feed our soul but they give us courage. Courage to face the dragons. Courage to defeat them.
What are your favorite stories?
This was a great list. My 6 year old is an avid reader and we have been looking for some good read alouds for the whole family to enjoy. I can’t wait to introduce her to Lord of the Rings!
Those might be my favorite!
I like the books. Thank
Love this! Can’t wait to be a mom and read books with my kids xx