Best Books

This is a post that I have been meaning to do for quite a while. Aaron loves books. I mean, he LOVES them. A book is one of the best gifts for him. He is so very excited to get a new book and he always wants it read over and over and over...and then he memorizes it. He can 'read' most of his books from cover to cover. When you read to him he knows exactly when to turn the page. He also knows if you skip a word. He also knows who gave him most of his books. He prizes them. But while every new book is a favorite, many of them eventually lose their luster. But there are a handful that have been loved every day for many, many, many days. And when one of those happens to be fun for us to read (or, at least, not annoying) all the better. Add to that the ones that teach something and you've got a winner. So, since I feel myself to be uniquely qualified to review children's books (as I have read more than several people's shares in the past two years) here are my favorites. Happy Christmas Shopping.

Silent Night - Originally given by the Fishers. Replaced by Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Tom

This book lights up and plays Silent Night (no words). Each page has a verse that starts with Silent Night, Holy Night, but the verses do not follow the song. They are sweet. Aaron got this before he was one and he still really likes it. It has pictures of animals and the baby Jesus. It is a good book and the lights and music are a hit with babies, but not overwhelming at all. It is a board book and it holds up incredibly well. The batteries do die, but you can get replacements for free (plus shipping) from the publisher. Once, however, the book stopped working and the replacement batteries did not bring it back to life. So a second book was bought, but the first one had been used A LOT, so I really don't blame it. You can get this online or at Target. There are also other books along the same line, but we don't have any of those.

Big Red Barn - Given by Dee and Papa

Love this book! It is very simple. There's no lesson to it, but it's fun to read and Aaron really likes it. This is one that he reads, Cover to Cover, a lot. It is also a board book and holds up well. Books that don't hold up well did not make this list because I don't consider that to be a stellar kids' book.

My First Toys - Given by Grandma Beth and Grandpa Mike

This is a baby book. It has one picture and one word on each page, but it is very good for the younger set. This was the first book Aaron could read and he was so proud of it.

Baby's First Bible - Given by Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Tom

Aaron got this before he was born and it has been wonderful! It also comes in Blue and Pink, but we didn't know Aaron's gender before he was born. He is now getting to the point that he can move a bit beyond this baby Bible, but it has been so good! It has simple stories - Noah made a boat and God made it float when water covered the Earth like a coat. Aaron loves his bible and it's because of this book that he knows who climbed a tree, etc.

Baby Einstein Alphabooks - Given by Dee and Papa

This is a set of 26 books - one for each letter of the alphabet. Each one has three pictures and words that start with the letter. The books are small - for little hands and Aaron knows his letters because of them. I don't recommend these for those under one year old. They get scattered and it is hard for young ones to get them all back in the box. But Aaron sure loved these when he was learning his first words.

Little Blue Truck - Given by the Cottons

LOVE this book! So cute and SUCH a good point! Highly recommend.

Baby Bug Magazine - Given by Grandma Beth and Grandpa Mike

This is an awesome gift! Aaron got this for his first birthday and it has been renewed ever since. He LOVES this. When a new Baby Bug comes in the mail, watch out! Each issue consists of several short stories and poems. They are great.

Snow Day - Given by Grandma Beth and Grandpa Mike

This is Aaron's all-time favorite book. It is the infamous 'Backhoe Book'. There are 55 flaps, so unless your child is very careful with books this may be something that should wait until he's 2 or 3. It is just a cute story and Aaron loves all of the flaps. Each one has something to read under it.