Dad’s Favorite Read Alouds

The other night, Mr. Red and I were talking about his opinions on children’s books.  We compiled this brief list of his favorites for your enjoyment.  The commentary is Mr. Red’s.  If you’re husband doesn’t normally like to read to the kids, maybe he’ll like these ….

Mr. Red’s favorites:

• Fin McCoul by Tomie dePaola – Irish folklore, violence, and the defeat of the brutish Cucullin.  This book is best when read out loud with a thick Irish accent.  As the hero Fin aptly says of Cucullin, “I don’t have the heart to face a man who can make a young earthquake with his walk, and who carries around a flattened thunderbolt in his pocket just to prove his strength!”
• Bear and Bunny Grow Tomatoes by Bruce Koscielniak– A telling portrayal of an industrious Bear, a slacker Bunny, and their respective tomato gardens.
• The Little Dutch Boy – A classic story of perseverance.
• Frog and Toad Series – These guys are hilarious.  Toad is so miserable.
• Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman – Fast-paced and action-packed.
• Who’s got the Apple by Jan Loof – Creative story about an apple.
• The Chick and the Duckling by Mirra Ginsburg – Provides an answer to the perennial childhood question: What is the difference between a chick and a duckling?
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown– I only included this because it’s really short.

Favorite Catholic books:

• The Catholic Encyclopedia for Children
• Most anything by Tomie DePaola (e.g., Miracles of Jesus, Book of Bible Stories, Patrick, Francis, Holy Twins, The Lady of Guadalupe, Clown of God, etc.)

While we’re at it, here are some of Mr. Red’s least favorites:

• Cat in the Hat Comes Back – I’m not fond of Dr. Seuss books in general, and this is Dr. Seuss at his most annoying.  Another really annoying one is One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
• Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

If you’re husband has some favorites (or least favorites) of his own, feel free to share in the comments.