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By William Steig
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble and unthinkingly wishes himself a rock when frightened by a lion. Although safe from the lion, Sylvester cannot hold the pebble to wish himself into a donkey again.
Rating: 5 *****
A great beginning to discuss what would you wish for if you had a magic pebble and how would you use it.
Age 3 reading list family fear magic
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By Robert McCloskey
Make Way for Ducklings
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
The busy Boston streets are too dangerous for eight little ducklings! But with a little help from a friendly policeman Mrs. Mallard and her family arrive safely at their new home. The public garden was no place for ducklings when they were first born, but now they are old enough to brave the raucous crowds and swim with the giant swan boats.
Rating: 5 *****
A really great story focusing on family and safety.
Age 4 reading list family safety
by children's book list
By Robert Kraus
Whose Mouse Are You?
A lonely little mouse has to be resourceful in order to bring his family back together.
Rating: *****
A nice story about a mouse who goes out and finds his family.
Age 3 reading list family
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By Phyllis Root
Rattletrap Car
Kids won t want this hilarious read-aloud ride to end. Who says getting there isn t half the fun? It s hot. Hot, hot, hot! So Junie and Jake and Poppa and the baby want to go to the lake. But can they make it in their rattletrap car?
Rating: *****
This is one incredible car. If anything, after reading this book I wanted to rush out and buy some marshmallow fudge delight.
Age 3 reading list family problem solving
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By Betsy James
Flashlight
Waking up in the dark at Grandpa’s house can be scary–the door in the hallway looks like a cave, and that noise could be a bear. Lucky for Marie, the bear is really Grandpa, who’s come to offer some reassurance and a flashlight that will make the dark house a lot less spooky.
Rating: *****
Everything looks different in the dark, especially when you’re not in your own house. But with family and a creative solution all turns out well.
Age 3 reading list family fear problem solving the dark
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By Marisabina Russo
Trade-In Mother
Max is tired of having his mother say “no” to everything he wants to do. When he threatens to trade her in for a mother who lets him wear dirty shirts, who never forgets to buy Chunky-O’s cereal, and who hates string beans as much as he does, his mother sagely comments that she would never trade him in.
Rating: ***
As a mom it’s hard to read stories where the child hates the mom. It all works out in the end, but it still hurts.
Age 3 reading list anger family
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By Lynn Reiser
The Surprise Family
A baby chicken accepts a young boy as her mother and later becomes a surrogate mother for some ducklings that she has hatched.
Rating: ****
A nice story about how families are more than skin deep.
Age 3 reading list family
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By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Please Do Feed the Bears
An endearing new picture book from the Newbery Award-winning author of “Shiloh.” Percy is told he can’t take all his toys and the food for a picnic at the beach. So he leaves the food behind and brings all his toys.
Rating: *****
My son was playing picnic for weeks after we read this book. It’s a really great book for inspiring imaginative play.
Age 3 reading list family
by children's book list
By Bob Graham
Queenie One of the Family
Caitlin and her parents rescue a hen from a lake, name her, and take her home with them, but even after they return her to the farm where she lives, her presence is still felt in Caitlin’s family.
Rating: ****
A month later my preschooler is still talking about Queenie. She definitely made an impact.
Queenie, One of the Family
Age 4 reading list animals family routine