We now own over 300 children’s books. I’m sure that sounds like a lot (and it is), but we read between 10 and 15 books a day to our kids. 300 books is only about a month’s rotation worth of books. Lately I’ve realized there are some great lines (both funny and poignant) in these books. Here’s a small collection of what I like.
"The sky was warmin’ up for the comin’ of the day."
Barn Dance by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Ted Rand
"But red paint puts singing in my head"
Red is Best by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Robin Baird Lewis
"There was kissing on TV and I hate kissing."
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz
"Then comes a Mixed-Up data and WHAM! I don’t know who or what I am!"
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
"Prententious P, Quaking Q, Rhyming R, and Sibilant S piled into the room below Towering T, stepping over little Unimportant U."
The Alphazeds by Shirley Glaser and Milton Glaser
"Then Leonardo Made A Very Big Decision"
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
"It’s music that we all adore. It’s what we go to concerts for."
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
"And the moon sailed along with him."
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson
"’That’s right,’ she said. ‘Who needs donuts when you’ve got love?’"
Who Needs Donuts? by Mark Alan Stamaty
"’And now,’ cried Max, ‘let the wild rumpus start!’"
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
"The wide world comforts her."
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang
"Fariy dust is very useful. I use it to turn oatmeal into cake."
Alice the Fairy by David Shannon
"I love you anyway too."
Olivia by Ian Falconer
"Wait…that smell…could it be…? Pancakes!"
Hey, Pancakes! by Tamson Weston, illustrated by Stephen Gammell
"’I wouldn’t mind if we were in a story,’ said Ann. ‘Because people in stories don’t go around all day looking for an old shell. Interesting things happen.’"
Magic Beach by Crocket Johnson