Great Family Read Alouds Part II
intro to part two
James Herriot’s Treasurey for Children
James Herriot's Treasury for Children by James Herriot
Illustrated by Peter Barrett and Ruth Brown
For ages 4 to 8, but it is not dumbed down so older kids can enjoy it too
Relatable Characters - We meet James Herriot, a wise and friendly country vet, and the many village people he interacts with.
Draws you to the wonder of nature - Each story shows examples of animal behaviors and the places that domesticated animals live. Children will fall in love with the cats, dogs, and farm animals featured in this book. The illustrations of the countryside feature rolling hills and streams that put you in the mood for a brisk walk.
A story to hang truths on - All of Herriot’s works highlight the call for us to have dominion over animals in a kind and compassionate way. They highlight a community that shares in each other's struggles and celebrations.
Humor - The animal antics will bring out giggles galore in you and your children.
Great Illustrations - Both illustrators use calming greens from the countryside and warm yellows and oranges to bring warmth to their illustrations.
One of my favorite quotes from James Herriot: 'Let sleeping dogs lie and let playing children have their fun, for this is a fleeting hour we stop to rest.'"
James Herriot wrote about his animal and people adventures for young and old. The book features tales of his rural veterinary practice during the 1940s to 1970s. If your family loves these topics but needs a higher reading level, go for All Creatures Great and Small or James Herriot’s Dog Stories. The BBC has produced a new version of All Creatures Great and Small that is one of the most endearing shows you can watch. Both my husband and I agree that some of the best stories involve Mrs. Pumphrey and her cuddled Pekingese, Tricki Woo.
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrated by Graham Rust
Ages 8 years old and up
Relatable Characters - This story features a pair of cousins whose family had riches but woefully lacked in love and care. Together with a new friend who is cheerful and loving, they conquer their tempers and grief together.
Draws you to the wonder of nature - It is in the title. A beautiful unkempt garden is one of the main settings. As our young characters grow and become tame, so does the garden. There is a robin and other animals that bring cheer to the children.
A story to hang truths on - Two major truths are revealed in the story. One, that thoughts are powerful but we can control them by what we dwell on. The second is nature is one of the most potent cures for most of what ails us.
Humor - Most of the humor in this book comes from the winsome service staff and the neighboring villagers. Mary’s interaction with her cousin Colin, during the times he throws his temper tantrums, can be a humorous way to discuss how absurd we all look when we are being overly dramatic.
Great Illustrations - There are a variety of illustrations from black and white and small to large. Many show the progress of the garden and children as they mature. Some of my favorites are of the animals in the story. The illustrations that are part of the two-page spread hint at Graham’s Rust work as a muralist.
One of the best parts: The scene where Mary goes into a fury against Colin’s insistence that he is a sick boy who will never grow up. Her passion helps break the cursed thinking that Colin has about himself.
This particular book has a special place in my heart. I received it from my grandparents for my 12th birthday. My grandmother inscribed “May you find many secret gardens and your dreams come true.” I have loved this book from my first read. Even though many think "The Secret Garden" is a girl's book, I believe both girls and boys will find a character in the book to identify with.
If you and your children find that this is one of your favorite books, I encourage you to read "A Little Princess" also by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Winnie the Pooh
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
For ages 4 to 8-year-olds and any adult who needs reminding about what is important in life.
Relatable Characters - We have a little boy with a big imagination, a hyperactive Tigger, and a Rabbit that gets grumpy when things do not go his way. Does this sound like any children you know?
Draws you to the wonder of nature - The Hundred Acre Wood is based on Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England. The pictures and descriptions of the forest will draw everyone in as you imagine a truly peaceful place. While reading, you can talk to your little ones about how the animals make their homes in the forest and how we need to be respectful of their home. We would not want a Tigger bouncing on our couch or a Pooh Bear dribbling honey all over the floor, would we?
A story to hang truths on - There are more lessons to learn from Winnie the Pooh than fingers on one hand. One is that all the animals have very different personalities, but they still love each other anyway, much like siblings have to learn. Another is that there are times when we are scared, and that does not make us bad or less than other people. We can grow in trusting our friends and family to help us move out of our fears into victory.
Humor - Did you know A. A. Milne was known as a British humorist and was the editor of a humor magazine? I did not either until recently. It shows through his children's storytelling. Children will find the animals' antics to be giggle-worthy. Their predicaments are reminiscent of an I Love Lucy episode. Adults will enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor.
Great Illustrations - Some may be more familiar with the Disney-fied version of Winnie the Pooh. I have to admit, that was what came to mind when my boys were small. I was pretty anti-commercialization, so it was not until my youngest was around 5 that we added Winnie the Pooh to our library. Once I found the original story and illustrations, we were hooked.
One of my favorite Poohisms: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
In fact, we have this quote up in our house.
The Wind in the Willows
Ingra Moore’s illustration for Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Illustrated by Inga Moore in 2000
This abridged version for ages 5 to 8 years old
An unabridged versions for 7 years old and up
Relatable Characters - Grahame uses anthropomorphism to create very human-like characters in small animal bodies. His stories focus on four main characters: the spoiled and wealthy Toad, the brave and loyal Badger, the adventurous and lovable Ratty, and the excitable but compassionate Mole. The behaviors of these characters will give you and your child a lot to talk about. You can discuss which characters your child would most like to be, which character they would want as a friend, and how to handle situations when friends misbehave or struggle.
Draws You to the Wonder of Nature - Most of the story is set in a village and landscape similar to Cookham Dean, where Grahame grew up. You can tell how much he treasured growing up on the River Thames, as the river is what brings so much life and adventure to Toad, Ratty, Badger, and Mole’s lives. "The Wind in the Willows" could inspire you to create a small boat to float down a stream or perhaps to take a walk in nature. It definitely will stir children’s imagination in what is actually happening along the banks of your local river or creek.
A Story to Hang Truths On - This book was not written as a moral lesson for children, however, there are two main threads throughout the book. One is that life should be full of adventure, just make sure you have a safe place to land at night. The other is that friendships are a central way to grow. Compassionate people help passionate people think more about others while passionate people encourage their freinds to grow and value their own ideas. Adventurous people help homebodies come out of their shell, while homebodies show you that there is value in rest.
Humor - A lot of the humor in the book is brought by Toad’s scraps and bumbles. Inga Moore brings even more humor with her illustrations of impossible scenes, such as a mole trying to move a horse along a road or Toad creating a pretend motor car out of everyday household objects.
Great Illustrations - Inga Moore loved the idea of illustrating "The Wind in the Willows" as it “fulfilled her wish to illustrate the English countryside.” While she respected Ernest H. Shepherd’s, (if he sounds familiar, he illustrated Winnie the Pooh), interpretation of Grahame’s landscape and characters, she felt she could bring more of the world alive through her illustrations. You can see how, like Beatrix Potter, Moore uses her knowledge of animal anatomy and form to create realistic drawings of the animals. There are close to 100 illustration in this version of “The Wind in the Willows” as as almost every page has a full-page or vignette illustration on them. It feels like the river is inviting you to dip your toes in, and the land is beckoning for you to explore behind every tree.
One of best quotes from the book: “Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing.”
I am not a big fan of abridged versions of classics. I firmly believe children can benefit more from reading above their level than we assume. Just don't read the original "Frankenstein" to your middle school son who is currently struggling with anxiety over death and fear of monsters. Not my best parenting moment. That being said, I think the abridged version is well done and does not take away from the original story.
I am particularly fond of this book as my husband and youngest son bonded over reading "The Wind in the Willows." They would hunker down in bed for a bit of reading. Sometimes ,I would stand in the hallway listening to them. I was a bit jealous of this sweet bonding time, but it gave me a chance to catch my breath after a full day of medical visits, school, and creating our meals from scratch.
I have begun only to scratch the surface of our beloved read aloud collection and explore all the joy and lessons that can be learned from this activity. Be on the look out for more blogs featuring our favorite books. I would love to hear from you, dear readers, what books have helped your family grow and bond. Feel free to email me at summer@summerwrites.com or post to instram @summerlynnwrites.