Tea with Her Majesty and Other Recommended Stories
Having just watched everyone’s favourite great-grandma have tea and sarnies with Paddington Bear, I’ve been contemplating some much-loved books from my childhood. The Queen may have been on the throne for 70 years, but I have several cherished titles that pre-date the coronation!
“Halfway down the stairs
Is a stair
Where I sit.
There isn’t any
Other stair
Quite like
It.”
First published in 1924 and still on my office bookshelf.
When it came to reading to my kids, I relied on some old faithfuls as well as more contemporary classics. A recent expedition to our basement revealed that although my children both moved away from home some years ago, a few treasures are lingering among the college t-shirts and swim team medals. It seems some things are too precious to abandon completely.
“Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were- Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter.”
“The human beans is making rules to suit themselves,” the BFG went on. “But the rules they is making do not suit the little piggie-wiggies. Am I right or left?”
“Girls aren’t very good at keeping maps in their brains,” said Edmund.
“That’s because we have something in them,” replied Lucy.
Thanks to my kid’s American grandma, we all loved sharing the stories my hubby had enjoyed as a boy – she bought us the entire Dr Seuss collection! These are fabulous books to read out loud.
“He was shortish. And oldish.
And brownish. And mossy.
And he spoke with a voice
That was sharpish and bossy.
“Mister!” he said with a sawdusty sneeze,
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.”
These books are packed with thought-provoking antics of strange beasts and quotable lines:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
And what about this classic? Published in 1941. It is a quite hysterical look at manners and proper behavior for kids. Delightfully simple and a brilliant and funny way to introduce basic manners to your children.
While I agree it’s wonderful for children to have educational books about ABCs, numbers, and colors, let’s not forget all those wonderful stories that are just plain fun to read! Books play such a vital role in helping children to develop a vivid imagination- you don’t even need words. Maybe just a friendly flying snowman!
Wishing you all a relaxing summer curled up with a good book!
Cheers,
Jo and Sue
P.S. If you missed the premiere showing during the Jubilee celebrations you can catch up with Queenie and Paddington here:
Ma’amalade sandwich Your Majesty?
P.P.S. Well done for making it all the way down here - please award yourself a hot cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich :)
The variety of children’s books now is quite overwhelming. I love that people ask for books in place of a card at baby showers. Such a great idea to get your little one’s library started.
Of course, here at Henry Central we do hope that his adventures might find a spot on your little adventurer’s bookshelves for a few years!