These are more favorite books at our house, of mommy and Geneva alike, and are highly recommended. Not all of these books are still in print though, so if you come across them, snap them up!!

Miss Lollipops’s Lion by Judy Varga. (out of print) A sweet story about an old maid who gives a home to stray animals and ends up taking in a runaway lion. (Geneva’s favorite from this list. We read it multiple times a day!)

I Wish, I Wish by Lisl Weil. (out of print) A beautifully illustrated simple tale of a little Italian girl who dreams of one day owning a painting from the Galleria Pitti in Florence. (This is by far my favorite children’s book of all time. I even reviewed it for my local tv station when I was 9!)

What Do You Say, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin & Maurice Sendak The most delightful book of manners I’ve ever encountered, both in writing and illustration. Here is Geneva’s favorite part of the book: “You have gone downtown to do some shopping. You are walking backwards because sometimes you like to, and you bump into a crocodile. What do you say, dear?” turn page “Excuse me!” love it!

No One Noticed Ralph by Bonnie Bishop. (out of print) A great little story about a parrot who sometimes says the wrong thing but ends up saving the day.

The Fire Cat by Esther Averill. The three part story of Pickles, a cat with big paws who is destined to do big things.

Feed the Animals by H.A. Rey. We LOVE this little flap book. You will too - go out and buy it now! “David and Caroline are at the Zoo. Says old Keeper Bill ‘You are lucky you two! For you came just in time for plenty of fun. We shall feed the animals one by one!’  Bill carries a basket. For whom will it be? Just open the flap and you will see…”

Hurry Hurry by Edith Thacker Hurd. (out of print) A great story of a woman who is always in a hurry until a series of crazy events teach her that you can get more out of life if you slow down a little.