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Best Books for Kids: Early Childhood Educators Share Their Top Children's Book Picks by Donna John
What do early childhood education teachers read to their students? 30Seconds® contributor Mike Prochaska (and now Bill Ellis!) have been interviewing these amazing people and found out. If you're an ECE teacher and have a book to add to the list, please tell us in the comments section. Be sure to read all the amazing interviews in our Early Childhood Education category.
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"The Scarecrows' Wedding" $15
"It has to be ‘The Scarecrow’s Wedding’ by Julia Donaldson. It is fantastic, and all the boys and girls love the story in my group," says Duncan Greenhorn, an ECE teacher in Scotland.
"Hairy Maclary From Donaldson's Dairy" $2
“I don't think I have a favorite, but nothing seems to beat the old classics such as 'Hairy Maclary,' Dr. Seuss and 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,'" says Conrad Treweek, who works with kids ages 2 to 5 and is currently teaching English to students in Spain.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" $7
The all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life?
"Little Tree" $14
“I love reading ‘Little Tree’ by Loren Long. It connects so well with my teaching philosophy," says Peter Dargatz, a kindergarten teacher from Wisconsin.
"Oi Frog!" $7
"So many to choose from. One of my new favorites is 'Oi Frog!' by Kes Gray and Jim Field," says Glenn Denny, who writes the blog, The Male Practitioner, and works in early learning and child care in Scotland.
"The Giving Tree" $13
“My favorite book to read to a classroom is 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein. It is filled with lessons on so many levels applicable within so many grade levels," says Steven Weiland, who works with kids in Uganda with the Peace Corps.
Books By Mem Fox $3 & Up
“My favorite books that I like to read to the children are generally the ones that are born from children’s ideas during play. Mem Fox or Dr. Seuss are always classics!" says Brett Gent, who currently works in a public preschool in the suburbs of Adelaide [Australia].”
"The Day the Crayons Quit" $12
"We have so many we love to read. I guess when I was in the older classroom my favorite would have to be ‘The Day the Crayons Quit.’ The children loved it!" says Nathan Johnson, who works at Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. This is also Adam Antrobus's favorite. He's a teacher at Ingle Farm Primary School in Australia.
"The Very Silly Sheep" $2
"For the younger room [it would] probably have to be ‘The Very Silly Sheep.’ I love being able to make the different animal noises and get a reaction out of the children. We make funny noises together," adds teacher Nathan Johnson.
"Don't Wake Up the Bear!" $5
Burl Tooshkenig, who works in the Early Childhood Education field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, loves reading "Don't Wake Up the Bear!" to his classroom.
"The Ravenous Beast" $2 & Up
“Oh, I have loads but 'The Ravenous Beast' has to be one of my favorites," says David King, who works at a preschool in Dublin, Ireland.
"The Gruffalo" $8
"Hands down ‘The Gruffalo!’" says Barbara Sheridan, the founder and lead teacher at Barrie Forest Kindergarten and Nature School in Ontario, Canada. This book is also Steven White's favorite. He's an early childhood teacher at Tiptoes Children’s Day Nursery in the United Kingdom.
"Where Is the Green Sheep?" $5
“'Where Is the Green Sheep?’ is a favorite, as it allows the children to participate as they are able to describe the colors of each sheep. They also often laugh at some of the sheep such as the train sheep, the swing sheep and the slide sheep," says Darren Moore, a daycare worker who loves working with young children.
Books By Shaun Tan $4 & Up
"Anything by Shaun Tan or 'Tadpole’s Promise' by Jeanne Willis," says Dr. Martyn Mills-Bayne, a lecturer in Early Childhood Education from Adelaide, South Australia.
"Tadpole's Promise" $13
Follow the predictable changes of a tadpole and a caterpillar to their natural conclusion in this award-winning picture book.
"The Sad Book" $14
"I generally don’t make the decisions of what I read. If I’m asked to read, it’s always whatever the child who is asking’s choice. Many kids in my program like 'The Sad Book' by Michael Rosen," says Travis Manley, a childcare center owner from Nebraska.
Books by William Joyce $4 & Up
"I am a big fan of anything William Joyce," says childcare center owner Travis Manley.
"Koala Lou" $6
Noel Jensen, an early childhood lecturer, loves Mex Fox’s "Koala Lou." "Just love that book and it resonates with me knowing the story behind the story Mem shared with me.," he says.
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