Favorite Bedtime Stories
By Melissa Dragoo
The very best part of my day, as a busy parent of two 7 year olds, is reading to my children at bedtime. We read many types of books, but I absolutely love sharing with them books that I read as a child. Parents often ask for chapter book, bedtime story suggestions that can be shared over many nights. Here are a few of my favorite books from my childhood that continue to delight children today.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
This story centers on Ralph, an adventurous mouse living in an old inn. Things get exciting when Keith and his family check into the hotel, especially when Ralph discovers that Keith has a tiny, mouse-sized motorcycle. Ralph’s mother warns him to stay away from humans, but he just cannot stay away from Keith and his motorcycle. Like any young mouse on a motorcycle, Ralph finds himself in many sticky situations! This is the first book in the Ralph S. Mouse series, so if your child enjoys this book, you can move on to the sequel.
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
It surprised me how much my children loved this award-winning novel. We finished this slim book quickly. This historical novel is set in the late 1800s and takes place on the prairie somewhere out West. A young girl named Anna narrates the tale and we learn that she lives alone with her brother, Caleb and her Papa. Her mother died giving birth to Caleb and now her Papa has decided to try to find a wife. He advertises in a newspaper back East and eventually invites a woman named Sarah to come live with his family on a trial basis. Your children will enjoy hearing about Sarah’s experiences on the farm as she adapts to living a pioneer life, and Anna and Caleb’s developing relationship with her. There are more books in this series, if your children enjoy this tale.
Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
There were moments when we had to pause our reading of this book because my children were laughing so hard. Peter Hatcher has a tough life dealing with the antics of his rowdy, younger brother Fudge. (Farley Drexel is his real name but he insists on being called by his nickname, Fudge). Your children will laugh aloud as Peter navigates life with his younger brother. You might want to check out the next book in the series, Superfudge, when you get this book, because your children will likely beg to hear more about Peter and Fudge.
These are just a few of the titles from my childhood that I have shared with my children. What are your favorite books that you read as a child and then shared with your children? What books would you like to share sometime in the future with them?
Reviews By: Melissa Dragoo