Below are some of the books that we have been reading over the past couple of months.
Toddler
This is the only book that my little boy will allow me to read to him. I have tried reading or looking at pictures in other books with him, but he takes them away, turns multiple pages, etc. Some children have their blankie; my son has his book. Like many blankies, this book is looking like it might need to be replaced.
Preschool – Third Grade Read Alouds
Catholic Children’s Treasure Box Books
After I finish working with Elizabeth each day, I try to remember to tell her to choose a book for me to read to her. More often than not, she will pull a Treasure Box book from the shelf.
Manners in God’s House
My pastor told me that he would like to get a few copies of this book. I am thrilled that Tan Books has acquired Neumann Press and that this and other books are still available. Elizabeth and Finnian thoroughly enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the three books that are included in this one.
Randolph Caldecott’s Picture Books
This is a delightful book that includes classic pictures and stories. My children have appreciated listening to This is the House that Jack Built and more. I have found the book lying all around the house which makes me suspect that some of my older children have been benefiting from reading these familiar and not so familiar tales.
My Father’s Dragon
by Ruth Stiles Garnett
Patrick and Elizabeth liked listening to this story. Finnian thought that it was “weird”.
Pamela Walks the Dog
by Christine Marlin, illustrated by Hilda van Stockum
This simple story has fascinated all of my children over the years. Those who listened to it this time, kept asking their older siblings and me, “Would you ever tie one of us up and take us for a walk?”
My Jesus and I by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, S.T.D.
Aesop’s Fables
illustrated by Milo Winter
I read this book to my older children when they were younger. I did not realize how much they enjoyed it, until I found Brendan reading it to himself and Bernadette reading it to Patrick. Patrick, Finnian, and Elizabeth are delighting in these tales and I occasionally hear a giggle coming from one or all of them as I read.
Third Grade
Sixth Grade
Theresa liked this out-of-print book. Elizabeth and she spent many hours looking at the illustrations. I was happy to see that Dover is making
The Snow Queen
available again. Amazon has it for preorder. I wish that Dover or another publisher was republishing the book that Theresa read in its entirety, but this is a start.
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4)
by Brian Jacques
Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5)
by Brian Jacques
Pollyanna
by Eleanor H. Porter
The Mitchells: Five for Victory
by Hilda van Stockum
Canadian Summer
by Hilda van Stockum
Friendly Gables
by Hilda van Stockum
Francie on the Run
by Hilda van Stockum
Pegeen
by Hilda van Stockum
Theresa couldn’t wait for her dad to finish reading this book. I remember being the same way when I was in second or third grade and heard my teacher reading this book out loud to my classmates and me. In fact, the copy that my husband has been reading is the copy that I asked my mom to buy for me at the time.
If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket
by Barbara Willard
Seventh/Eighth Grade
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Washington Irving, illustrated by Arthur Rackham
I don’t think that this book and illustrator need any introduction. My mom introduced me to Arthur Rackham’s illustrations when I was a child and I still like them.
Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques
Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques
My oldest son wasn’t thrilled to be reading this book, but he didn’t complain after he started doing so.
Ninth Grade
The Log of a Cowboy
by Andy Adams
I checked this book out from the library for Brendan to read. However, as soon as Bernadette saw the horse on the front cover, she decided that she needed to read it. I heard her giggle more than once while she was reading it. Hopefully, her brother will be allowed to read it next. Bernadette has told him that he will like it.
The Myth of Hitler’s Pope: Pope Pius XII and His Secret War Against Nazi Germany
by Rabbi David G. Dalin
Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques
Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques
The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (History of Middle-Earth)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
This daughter of mine seems to always be rereading something by Tolkien.
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Mysterious Island
by Jules Verne, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth
Eleventh Grade
Mary Poppins
by P.L. Travers
Elizabeth saw this book on a library shelf and asked her big sister to please check it out for her. Catherine was happy to comply and enjoyed having an excuse to reread this book.
The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth
Me
Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth
I will be rereading parts of this book to my children. St. John Bosco’s dreams provide a lot to ponder for both young and old.
The Man Who Got Even With God
by M. Raymond, O.C.S.O
This book was loaned to us by a friend. After starting to read it themselves, my two older girls recommended that I read it. I think that it would be a good book for my oldest son to read too, but he hasn’t shown any interest in doing so, yet.
Read Aloud
This book has been a long time favorite of mine. I think that Charlotte’s Web belongs in every child’s personal library.
Sixty Saints for Girls
by Joan Windham
A friend gave me this book last spring after I told her about Sixty Saints for Boys. My children and I thoroughly enjoy the stories in both of these books.
Audiobooks
Freddy and the Ignormus
by Walter R. Brooks
by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams
by Syd Hoff
by Dr. Seuss
by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Edmund Dulac
by E.B. White
by Kate Seredy
by Ruth S. Noel
What caught my attention was the mention of Treasure Box Books. They were a staple in my home growing up. I'm also from a family of nine children. I purchased the set of volumes 1- 20 to share with my grandchildren. Upon further research, I learned that there were originally 60 Volumes published. The last 40 are out of print at this time. I would love to know where I might find the missing volumes. I love your website. God bless you and the work you do. Anita
Dear Anita,
Several years ago, I asked someone at Tan Books if they would please consider reprinting the rest of the Treasure Box Books. The lady told me that they were considering doing so, but nothing came of it. I might have to ask again now that St. Benedict Press owns them. 🙂
Thank you for the compliment. May God bless you!
I like your site. What caught my attention was the mention of Treasure Box Books. They were a staple in my home growing up. I'm part of a family of nine siblings. I purchased the first 20 Volumes to share with my grandchildren. Upon further research I found that there were originally 60 Volumes published. The last 40 are out of print. I would love to know where I might find some of the missing volumes. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can give. God bless you and the work you do.