Story Time

EEK! ALL of my friends are having babies!

I am over here for the first time in my life! - In my late twenties - itching to have a child.

This has never happened to me before! I am responsible, and caring it’s not those aspect but I literally will fall off the face of the earth. I’m selfish - the friend who you think will never settle down, let alone have children, and plant roots into the ground.

A dear friend of mine found out she was pregnant fourteen weeks ago. We have known each other for sometime now, and have experienced the awkward phase of life. Growing up together, fighting with one another, we kept it together while trying to navigate young adulthood. I cannot help but celebrate how far we have come together but it also desperately makes me want to join her in this journey.

My partner is sweating bullets, like oh shit she is going to see this baby, and we’ll have to sit down, and have the final freedom discussion. In all honestly, I know it’s years down the road if ever. It does just make me really excited to see them, get to know them, and be able to spoil them.

My friend, and I we are going to call her S. We have known each other since sixth grade, she is a special needs teacher, and I truly believe one of the best educators, listeners, and advocates for the voiceless. So really, I am eager to watch how she does everything, and learn from her.

I promised her I would comprise a list for her baby, but also for her future students of epic reads for young children, and teens. They are all early nineties classis, and early two-thousands hidden gems, but I hope this brings all kinds of nostalgia for my readers, and for S, and her coworkers.

Beginning with some of the more colorful reads, and more favorable bed-time stories.

5 Personal Nostalgic Children’s Books

1.The Kissing Hand:

This book destroyed me as a child, but in a good way.

I was obsessed with racoons, and all things family. My great-grandmother who had a massive hand in raising me, and would carry this around in hopes that it would alleviate some of my separation anxiety.

She would quietly whisper to me "now just keep your hand closed as tight as you can, and remember once you get to school, you can open it and use the kiss as many times as you may need." Ten stars!

I would recommend this book to all children under the age of eleven. The particular age demographic I would recommend would be early development, and young children in primary education school, or pre-kindergarten.

2.The Rainbow Fish

A timeless classic, on how to be yourself in this world despite the need to be like everyone else.

You are unique, and only you can be you. This is what I took from the rainbow fish. I would spend hours tracing my finger across the glittery scales, and found myself mesmerized with the colors on each page.

Another ten out of ten stars for this read. It is a classic, with a powerful message. It is great for young children, grasping color. Great for older kids as well, it is filled with pictures but has a message that will resonate.

3.The Legend Of The Indian Paintbrush

Looking back as a white child, growing up in Texas, I am proud that this was read, but I cannot help feel sickened with the recent discovery of our history.

The known fact that colonizing the Americas led to great devastation, and cultural genocide, and cleansing of Native Americans' culture, home, and history. It pains me to know that the book filled with such beautiful illustrations' is still inaccurate due to it being a legend 'retold' by a white male. Most likely the original story to be heard of by white settlers, as Native Americans' and indigenous peoples were most likely suffering.

It is still one of my favorite children's books because of the illustrations' and still a fable to be told of marching to the beat of ones own drum, or playing to ones' strengths. My hopes are to let this future generation know, especially if they come from me, exactly whos land we are resting on, and how many we need to honor, by simply just standing here. I would recommend for an older reader. I believe I read this in third or fourth grade.

Overall still a nine out of ten. To have it be completely off the charts I would like to see some of the recognition go to the intended, and actual author. Still thank you to the author for the illustration, and retelling.

4.The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

As a horse girl, this is another one I have to recommend. Although my thoughts and feelings have not changed much from above.

This book remains close to my heart to this day. It is filled with beautiful illustrations, and the wild tale of finding freedom in something you love. This was one of the first books I was able to fully read on my own. I am dyslexic and had quite the time in school prior to gaining confidence in reading.

This was a book that brought me out of my shell, and gave me confidence in the written word. It is simply magical when you read, or can share this timeless tail with someone you love. Ten out of ten would recommend to third graders, or advanced readers. Great for pre-teens, and a wonderful bed time story.

5. Stellaluna

Another timeless classic. One that really enforces the importance of being ones true, and authentic self.

The message being that it is always better be yourself, even if you may not fit in, there are many more just like you where you will. This is another great read for any independent learners, but also for those who might need more practice with a more advanced form of literature.

I read this book for the first time all by myself when I was in about fourth grade. Up until then it had been one of my favorite bed time stories, even finding my own passion in bats, and their own unique benefits they bring to our ecosystem. A great read for any animal lovers, or any book lovers in general.

Ten out of ten would recommended to children of all ages.

Series To Consider For Older Children + Pre Tweens

Hank The Cowdog:

Best reading level for grades 3-5

The Animal Ark Series:

Best reading level for grades 2-6

Junie B. Jones:

Best for Grades 1-4

The Magic Treehouse:

Best for readers grade 1-5

**

I am bias I know that. I took a walk down memory lane writing this, and I cannot wait to collect all of them, and be able to present them to my own children someday.

Until then, I will share with my fellow readers, my expecting friends, and anyone willing to jump back into a little nostalgia with me. These are the works of literature, that allowed me to learn to read on my own, at my own pace.

These series, and single published pieces of work allowed me to become confident in my own abilities. To accept my own journey, my own lane, or path for what it is. Mine. For me to walk it at my own pace, soaking up as much knowledge as possible, from personal experience. From a child suffering with speech delays, to having difficulty reading a complete sentence. To someone who found confidence in reading, and exploring the page. Eventually becoming just as enthralled with writing the written word, as much as I enjoyed reading it.

For those who are reading in hopes of helping a child close to you, then just know that it really comes with just them - finding something that speaks to them. Either it is 'Harry Potter' or cook books the most important thing is that they are choosing to read on their own, and that just comes with interest, and resonating with a piece of art.

**

References + Photograph Credits:

• https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/the-kissing-hand-9780590047012.html
• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rainbow-fish-marcus-pfister/1100058470
• https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/the-legend-of-the-indian-paintbrush-9780590447065.html
• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girl-who-loved-wild-horses-paul-goble/1101105960
• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stellaluna-janell-cannon/1100470445
• https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/the-kissing-hand-9780590047012.html
• https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/JUB/junie-b-jones
• https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/JUB/junie-b-jones
• https://www.magictreehouse.com/books/125127/the-knight-at-dawn