Inner Child – Children’s Book Review

Inner Child- Children’s Book Review

Reading to my children has always been a favorite pastime of mine. I enjoy the cuddle, the close contact and the look of wonder on a child’s face when they are fully engrossed in a good story. Even as a young woman, before motherhood, I would take books with me when I would babysit. Years later, I have had adults that I once read to as children, remind me of a book that I read to them. It’s kind of bittersweet.

I started reading to my children in utero. I have always believed that a child experiences their first lessons on language before they are born. Many doctors and midwives have said that reading to your unborn children is the best gift you can give them. I think it was a gift for me as well.

Children’s stories are often written with a moral or lesson being the purpose. I believe it’s a great way to teach new skills, teach children a set of values and keep them thinking about things outside of them. That’s hard as a kid. The world is so new and with so little experience, books can teach lessons that life may not have yet had the chance. And if we can prepare our youth, just a little, before they meet the big bad world, we have done them a kindness.

My children are older now and with that comes independence and autonomy. They no longer want to sit on my lap or with me on the couch to read. My oldest is now reading about black holes and dystopian worlds, my youngest about how to code and the countries of Africa. They are no longer interested in the stories that lit up their eyes in times past, but they have gained a respect for learning, and I think that’s pretty great.

The books I chose are based on my love of reading to my children and my personal experience. If I included all the books that I love, we’d be here for a millennium. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Love You Forever – Robert Munsch

So far this book has sold over 15 000 000 copies. It talks about a mother’s love for her child, but as the child grows and the mother becomes older and more fragile the child shows his love for the mother. It’s a beautiful story about the bonds of parents and their children, but it also teaches a great lesson about taking care of those you love.

To this day I can say to my boys

“Love you forever”

And they will finish,

“Like you for always,

As long as I’m living,

my mommy, you’ll be”

Now that they are 12 and 17, it’s pretty neat that they still remember and recite the words. I have a copy tucked away for when they bring their babies into the world.

Make way for Ducklings – Robert McClosky

Published in 1941, Make way for Ducklings has won the Caldecott Medal. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, there is an art exhibit honoring it, in the Boston Public Garden. I made sure to take a picture when I was there 😊

The story is about two mallards who are starting a family but are in an undesirable area of the city for raising ducklings. Mr. mallard has to go find a new home for his family, and Mrs. Mallard must navigate through the city with her eight babies in tow. Upon the journey, the ducklings, all who have names that rhyme with Quack, are taught everything they need to know about how to be ducks. A nice policeman sees them on their voyage and stops traffic, allowing Mrs. Mallard to get her ducklings to safety.

I love that his story gives a geography lesson of the city and surrounding areas, but my favorite part is that it teaches that one person can make a difference. And doing what is right, is not always easy. A lesson we all need to remember at times.

The Monster at the End of This Book: Starring Loveable, Furry old Grover – Jon Stone

This book is based on the Sesame Street Character Grover and is a fast-paced, highly comical book. On each page is Grover, who is rather afraid and rightly so, that there is a monster at the end of the book. He tries to warn the reader to not continue with the story, with no luck. Each page contains an obstacle that is overcome but when you get to the end, there is a monster; Grover. In typical Groverstyle, he tries to disguise his embarrassment at being afraid by saying that he knew who the monster was all along.

Originally written to help children read a book from start to finish, it has become an all-time best-seller and cited a modern-classic of children’s literature. Published in 1971 as a little golden book, it is now a sequel and has been made into t.v. adaptations.

Personally, I think the book is more about facing your fears and overcoming obstacles, or maybe that the monsters (or other things we’re afraid of) aren’t as scary as we thought. Maybe it’s about us being the monsters? Any way you look at it, it’s a great read, and I haven’t found one child that didn’t love it.

No books about kink this time around, as it would be wildly inappropriate. With that being said, I think it’s important to teach your kids about their bodies, sex, consent, and sexual identity. I’ve always taught my boys the proper words for genitalia, been honest about where babies come from and spoke of consent even when they were small. They will need to function in a highly sexualized world after all.

I’ve read a lot of books about Sex education over the years, but these I found to be the most helpful.

No means No – Jayneen Sanders and Cherie Zamazing

Made for ages 3-9, this book talks about consent and boundaries and is a must-read for anyone who wants to teach their kids about good and bad touching. The main character demonstrates how to create a strong voice and make others aware of our preferences.

Where did I come from? – Peter Mayle

Made for ages 5+, this book talks about and shows tasteful illustrations of where babies come from. A great book for teaching curious youngsters the basics.

What’s happening to my body? (boys and girls editions available) – Lynda Madaras

Each book (boys or girls) talks about the specifications for their body type. Made for ages 11-15, it’s descriptive and informative, but not overly graphic. I found these books to be straightforward and easy to follow at any pace.

Sex: A book for Teens – Nikol Hasler

Made for young adults (16+) and not young children, I wanted to include it anyway. The subtitle says everything you need to know; “An uncensored guide to your body, sex and safety.” The cover has a clipart picture of a bull and cow doing the deed. No disguising the contents of this book.

I hope you get some use from this list, or at least are inspired to go and read to a young person. You’ll give them and yourself a great gift.

Happy Reading!

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