WTBA is a collection of and conversation about powerful books that strengthen, elevate, inspire and help to grow powerful, resilient kids. We're a book oriented guide for parents, grandparents, educators, aunts, uncles and anyone involved in nurturing children and caring for friends.
When my children were little, we did Joy School and No Peas For Nellie was recommended by them. I think it was for the joy of decision making. But in the end I think we’ve liked this book for so long because it’s funny.
ages 0 to about 4 years
Read MoreAge guide: 4 to 8
I bought a copy of this for my family and one for my nephew David – who was not at all dreadful, making it an especially funny book for our family.
Dreadful David is one busy little kid – he wreaks havoc at Granny’s house. She is stalwart in the face of all the trouble but slowly her smile begins to fade. The last straw comes when David hoses Granny – he’s already hosed the letter box, the kitten and more.
Granny, being of the old school variety, changes David, smacks his bottom and puts him to bed. David yells for a while but finally goes to sleep and Granny comes in and kissed him on the cheek.
Read MoreAge guide: 4 to 12
Our oldest boy, who is now an English teacher, had a thing for idioms. He was 15 by the time this book was published but still got a laugh out of it.
The bee in Ben’s bonnet is that he wants his large family to celebrate his birthday but they are all too involved with life to talk to him.
Each family member has something going on that is described in a well known idiom, for example, ‘Godfather Maurice was burying the hatchet’. The very funny illustrations flesh out the story
Read Moreages 2 to 8 years
This is a rollicking book—so much fun to read and so much fun to look at. The story is an adapted Danish folktale and the fabulous illustrations reflect that. It’s the story of Goodie, a plump and obviously happy woman, who is making sausages to store up for her family—she makes hundreds of them and has to hang them from every nook and cranny. Inevitably, funny happens!
Age guide: 2 to 6
Clearly another Charlie and Lola book! This is one based on text from the TV program - and although purists would draw the line at those books actually written initially by Lauren Child, this is still a fun book - fun to read, fun to look at and laugh about.
Lola decides that loosing a tooth is not so bad if the tooth fairy will bring you cash that you can exchange for a farm animal. It's typical Charlie and Lola faire - cute and charming - a sweet glance into the life of a funny little girl. It's a lovely book for children who are just a little older than Lola to read - if you have already lost your first tooth you can look back on those ever so slightly anxious days and giggle about Lola's reaction - knowing that all will be well.
Read MoreLike most of Margaret Wild's books, this one is overflowing with subtle messages, in this case about conquering fear and overcoming inbuilt prejudice, told in a gentle, peaceful, homey sort of way.
ages baby to 8 years
Read MoreI don’t normally like books that overtly teach. I prefer the teaching part to settle gently in the recesses of small minds ready for them to catch and adapt as life throws circumstances to them that don’t quite match the books they’ve read. Mile-High Apple Pie is an exception - there's the obvious, plus much more.
ages 4 to 12 years
Read MoreA conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
