Patch Picks: Children's Books

Theodor Seuss Geisel - the legendary Dr. Seuss - would have celebrated his 107th birthday yesterday. The National Education Association marks this momentous occasion each year with Read Across America Day.

In conjunction with the annual event and in honor of the whimsical adventures of Dr. Seuss, we dug through the treasure trove that is the 's Centennial blog, which is shining a light on 100 great children's books, and pulled out a diverse list of five favorites.

As any moviegoer can tell you, a sequel is hardly ever as good as the original and the same often goes for books. So why did I choose to write about The Cat in the Hat Comes Back over the much more popular The Cat in the Hat? Well, quite simply, because the cat came back. Read on...

When I first began doing story time at Mill Valley Public Library, I was on a wild search for visually appealing and informative children’s stories that explored various aspects of diversity, yet were not excessively didactic. Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice was one of the early treasures I discovered and found to be a true fit. Read on...

I have never been much of a mystery reader. My sister read all the Nancy Drew books, my husband devours hard-boiled detective fiction ála Raymond Chandler, and many of my friends love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I do not. In fact, why I enjoy the Echo Falls Mystery series by Peter Abrahams is a mystery to me – but if I had to guess, I’d say that 13-year old Ingrid Levin-Hill and her small-town world drew me in via the warmth, humor, and attention that the author (who also writes for adults) lavishes on them. Read on...

Growing up I had two loves: playing in the surf at the beach and horses. Lucky for me I lived by the beach and I got to be with Chico, my grandfather’s horse. Reading Misty of Chincoteague was a perfect storm for me. Read on...

On the first day of my Creative Writing Workshop at Oberlin College, the professor asked us to share what literary work most influenced out desire to become writers. The scraggly, but intellectual group clicked their pen caps and gum wrappers as they recited titles: On the Road, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and (oh, please) Moby Dick. When it was my turn, I said, “The Baby-Sitter’s Club.” Read on...