Book Nook: Best Children's Books

 The latest feature by Washington Post Opinion Columnist Alyssa Rosenberg compiles a list of the very best children’s books recommended by parents across the political spectrum. The story runs just in time for the holidays – as parents look for gifts that are not only entertaining but educational.

I had a chance to interview her to learn more.

Why is it important for parents to have books at home for their kids?
Reading is one of the first shared experiences with culture parents and very young children can have together. Books create the opportunity to be physically close, to respond to a story together, to ask—and answer—questions, and to create rituals. As children get older, that sense of wonder deepens and gets more expansive. And as the stories parents and children share become more sophisticated, so do the conversations inspired by the texts. Books are a wonderful spur to talk about values, difficult emotions and the strengths and frailties of compelling characters. And beyond all that, books are fun.

How was the list of the best children's books created?
I put together a list of dozens of parents across the political spectrum and asked them to contribute three books they considered essential, and then to tell us why. I was clear about the nature of the project: everyone knew that they were, effectively, working with parents with whom they might have serious political disagreements, and that the ultimate list might include books they wouldn’t choose for their own families. But the parents who contributed came together to affirm the value of books and of reading. I don’t think any of us pretended that this was a process that would resolve those disagreements, but it was a chance to reaffirm that we all care about books, and that we all see fostering a love of reading as essential part of parenting.

 

What are some of the titles that might be surprising to families?

What people did nominate for the list was often as interesting as what they left out. Maurice Sendak was our most-nominated author, but none of the parents picked “Where the Wild Things Are,” which is probably his most famous book. I think that’s great; if the list introduces families to less-famous Sendak works like “The Nutshell Library,” I’ll consider it a success. No one nominated J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” novels or Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” books, which suggests that despite their popularity, parents still have other priorities. And I loved seeing some very creative new entries on the list, like B.J. Novak’s “The Book With No Pictures” and “The Day the Crayons Quit.” I can’t wait to get my hands on my own copy of Elys Dolan’s “Weasels,” which is exactly the kind of thing I love: a picture book that’s mesmerizing for kids while working equally well as an in-joke for adults

 

What are some examples of books that are timeless and universally loved?
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House in the Big Woods” was the most-nominated book on our list; I’ve been re-reading it with my daughter, and while it’s a total delight, it’s also pushed me to have conversations with her about the racist attitudes some of the characters exhibit, and the fact that parents can be wonderful and still be wrong. Our parents also showed a lot of love for J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day” and E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web,” all for good reason.