Nathan's Favorite Books: Part I

Student:  Just wait your son will start mimicking everything you do.
Me:  Well that doesn't sound so bad.
Student:  Yeah, until he starts swearing and stuff.
Me:  Well, I don't think that will happen, I don't swear hardly at all.
Student:  What about from TV?
Me:  We don't watch TV with Nathan
Student:  What do you do with him then?


   This was a recent conversation I had with one of my students.  They were shocked that Nathan doesn't really watch any TV.  I had to explain that instead of watching TV we read books and play and things like that.  Apparently this is just too abnormal for my students who are sure as soon as Nathan turns two he will be cursing up a storm.

So rather than watching TV with Nathan one of our favorite activities is reading books.  We read a ton of books with Nathan, and because we are both teachers, and avid readers we've never seen a book for Nathan that couldn't fit into the budget.  Luckily, thanks to Erin's Aunt Sherry, who recently retired from a long career as an elementary school librarian, we are more than well supplied with books for Nathan to read.  I thought we would share some of Nathan's favorite books with our readers.  Nathan certainly would love to read them with you if you come to visit.

Nathan's favorite books have changed a bit over the last year, so we'll start with some books that Nathan still loves, but doesn't necessarily still ask you to read him 10 times a day anymore.

What It Means to Be a Husky by Don James

So Nathan never choose this book to read, but this is probably Nathan's first picture with a book as it was taken within the first couple days after Nathan was born.  And while it is not exactly what I would call a way of life, it is important for Nathan to have a solid foundation of strong values as he grows up.  This is actually Grandpa Murray's book, and I just keep waiting for it to turn up as a gift one day so I can continue reading it to Nathan. (hint, hint to anyone out there)

The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

We have a couple different versions of this book.  And when Nathan was very little and more likely to just sit around, we would read through this book.  I'm not sure Nathan had any idea what was going on, only that he was cuddling with mom or dad and enjoying life.  Recently if you get Nathan is just the right mood, when he is not needing bright pictures or excitement and is just a bit tired, he will still sit down and listen to a bit of a story about a bear named Pooh.  This is also a favorite of Nate's mom and she is often singing the theme song to Nathan while getting ready for bed. 

Go, Dog. Go! By P.D. Eastman

Nathan loves "Go, Dog. Go!" and he would ask you to read it over and over.  One day when Nathan was sick and I stayed home with him, we must have read it 20 times in one day.  We have a couple versions, one that is the abridged board book version and one is the full length classic.  Either way, once you come get to the end of the book, on a good day Nathan will raise one hand and put it in the air, wave it like he just doesn't care while you chant "Dog Party! Dog Party!" over and over again.


The Monster at the End of this Book By Jon Stone

I don't know who likes this book more, Nathan or me.  It is one of my favorite books to read to Nathan.  It is just so much fun!  Unfortunately, my Grover voice is much better in my head than in reality.  We also have a fun app version of this book, that if absolutely nothing else works and we are in public, is sure to calm Nathan down.  In this case I might be asking Nathan if he wants to read it over and over.  

So there is round one of Nathan's favorite books.  We'll check back periodically with updates on what is on Nathan's current reading list.  And, just maybe if you are so lucky to come visit you'll be able to read one of these great little books with Nathan.