LITERATURE FOR THE EARLY YEARS
Note: These are some of the books I’ve read to my children and I’ve found them to be wonderful selections. I have been finding a wealth of lovely old books on-line like A Little Present for a Good Child by Unknown. Looking in Antique stores for old primers and childrens books is a great idea, as many carry good morals and it is so much nicer to sit down with your children in your lap than to sit at the computer.
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Children%27s_Picture_Books_%28Bookshelf%29
As a general rule we do not read Fairy tales, avoiding literature that involves magic, witches, sorcery and the like. In the Bible it is clear that these are things that do not please God, so we just avoid them, giving a clear explanation when we come across these types of stories (which is quite often as they are popular). My girls love The Little House books and the more recent Martha series written by Melissa Wiley. Martha is Scottish and true to her cultural background there are plenty of fairy stories and references. As the girls are a bit older now they understand that there are many areas that they must have discernment in. So they skip parts and know what is frivolous and what is dangerous. For the younger more impressionable I suggest we cover our young tomato plants. I find most of the stories for children about prairie or farm life to be wholesome.
King James Bible
Some older Arch Books (These I’ve had to weed through) John and the Little Lost Lamb is my favorite.
Rod and Staff Preschool Workbooks and Little Jewel Books
Peter Rabbit Books by Beatrix Potter
My First Little House Books
Fireman Small, Policeman Small , Farmer Small etc. by Lois Lenski
Blueberries for Sal by Robert Mccloskey
Bunnikins Picnic Party by A.J. Mcgregor
Tell Me About God by Mary Alice Jones
Some of the Little Golden Book Classics like:
The Jolly Barnyard, Baby Animals, The Fire Engine Book,The Shy Little Kitten
Jay Bird by Marie Hall Ets
Uncle Aurthur’s Bedtime Stories
The Mole Sisters by Roslyn Shwartz
Are you my Mother? by P.D. Eastman
The Big Storm by Rhea Tregebov
Billy and Blaze Books by C.W. Anderson
Abeka Science Kindergarten and Grade One
Wherever I am There’s Always’Pooh by A.A. Milne
Nurture and Admonition 