Have you ever stopped and really considered the importance that children’s books have on our lives, from childhood to adulthood? Who doesn’t remember the daunting tales of Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and Magic Tree House? These time honored stories provide an action plot filled with drama, popularity, and conflict while keeping a gentle undergrowth of awareness suited for the minds of these young readers. Whether you are reading to your children or they are reading for themselves, it is a great way to start off their scholastic adventure with a few memorable classics.

Randolph Caldecott Medal The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the most illustrious children’s picture book in America. These can include 3d “popup” books or regular story books with delicate images, usually filled with lots of colors and scenery. The 2008 winner of the Caldecott Medal is Brian Selznick with the release of his book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a story about a boy living in a French train station who strives to complete a mysterious invention left to him by his father. This story consists of over 500 pages of both text and images, neither of which can tell this story alone. Black and white pencil sketches show the silent films to which this book pays homage. It is a masterpiece and must be honored with such a fabulous award as the Caldecott Medal.

Duck for President is a great book for readers of all ages. The book is similar to the process for those who are running for president. In this humorous tale Duck who lives on a farm with many other animals, and owner Farmer Brown. He's kind of a lazy duck and doesn't like being told to chores and he surely didn't enjoy doing them. So he thought that he would take a stand and have a vote against Farmer Brown so he could take over the farm. Duck won the election but soon learned that it was even harder to be a farmer than it was to do the few chores that he originally had to do. Next he decided that by running for governor that life would be much easier. Adding to his winning streak he won the election hands down for governor, but again he soon realized that running a state was even harder than being a farmer and it was no fun at all. He soon became bored with this and decided he should move on. What will he do next?

A Counting Book by Margaret Wise Brown (with pictures by Clement Hurd) is an excellently written bed time story for children from the ages of two to six. It incorporates many of the same ideals from the classical Goodnight Moon book which was also created to entertain readers after a tiring day of learning and playing. The book begins by painting a detailed description of the “green room” from the original story. It then lists the many animals, people, and objects inside of the massive room. With colorful illustrations and short sentences, this is a great book for children to begin their learning experience at a young age. It teaches them not only how to read and count, but also how to laugh and enjoy learning. Your child will love this soothing lullaby as he or she searches for more and more objects to say good night to. “Good night cow. Good night stars. Good night moon.” Will fill your home with the soft voices of you and your child.

The 39 Clues book series has proven popular with kids ages 8-12. The 39 Clues book series is full of adventure and mystery. A brother and sister try to figure out 39 clues to solve a mystery about their family.

Hunger Games Trilogy - The Hunger Games trilogy consists of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. The three books in the Hunger Games trilogy appeal to 12-18 year olds, as well as adults. Reluctant readers also enjoy the Hunger Games trilogy.

Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! is both a funny children's picture book and a one-recipe children's cookbook. The picture book story in Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! is about the Little Red Hen's great-grandson who wants to learn to cook and the children's cookbook recipe is for Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake.

The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery From History by Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple is a picture storybook that combine historical fiction and mystery. If you are looking for a short children's book for your 8-12 year olds that will get them thinking, I recommend The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery From History.

By the Light of the Halloween Moon is a children's Halloween book. By the Light of the Halloween Moon is a Halloween picture book. If you are looking for Halloween picture books for ages 6-8, I recommend By the Light of the Halloween Moon.

If you'd like to make Halloween costumes for your kids that are based on children's books, here are a number of easy to make Halloween costumes for kids. Some are even no-sew Halloween costumes. They include a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Halloween costume and a very easy to make Pippi Longstocking Halloween costume.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith is a nonfiction book for young people about Charles Darwin and his wife, Emma Darwin. While Darwin is most know for his theory of evolution, the emphasis on this book focuses more on the everyday lives of Charles and Emma Darwin in 1800s England.