Reading to one’s child has almost become outdated. I have fond memories of the stories my mom read to me growing up. Thanks to her, I love reading to this day and found a love for writing. Where would I be without her sharing this love of reading with me? Bored for one thing, because reading and writing are my top two things that I enjoy doing. Therefore, thanks mom and below is the list of the best children’s books from 2008, go pick one of up and read to a child (or hey, read it to yourself or take it to a hospital and make a new little friend there).

     Think back to when you were a child, your mom or dad was reading you a story that made your imagination go wild. You flew with Peter Pan, worked with Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs, etc. The books of today are different in that they seem sillier now than they did when we were kids ourselves. But isn’t childhood supposed to be silly and fun? Nevertheless, some books stood out among the others in 2008 and made the 10 top bestsellers list:

1. The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman
2. Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
3. Bats at the Library, Written and illustrated by Brian Lies
4. Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
5. Oodles of Animals by Lois Ehlert
6. Too Many Toys by David Shannon
7. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, pictures by Dan Hanna
8. Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet
9. Help Me, Mr Mutt by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
10. The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrations by Taeeun Yoo

    Of course, different people like different things, so your list might be a different from what people bought in 2008. You also may want to stick to the classics, which is great and something wonder to share with a child. Dads, you can read to your child too, it is not a “mommy thing” and you can probably make the grizzly bear sound better than mom can, right.

    You know the thrill that comes from losing yourself in a good book. Who would not want to share that with a child?