The Big Blue Storybook & Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

My mom paid $20 a long time ago for a big blue storybook. It was full of classics like Goodnight Moon, but it also had stories I had never heard and neither had my mom. It was split up in to three different categories based on how hard or easy to read the story was. She recently told me that was the best $20 she ever spent. I must say I agree with her. She got hundreds of stories for only $20 when each of those stories could have been worth at least $10 a piece. In a household full of kids, (I have 6 younger siblings) you can imagine that book got a lot of use. The book's dust jacket has long since been lost. The blue canvas cover is worn and has water droplet stains. The spine is a sad sight and the pages have been taped back in a couple of times. 

If I knew no one would notice it was missing, I would definitely steal that book from my family. That said, my mom would definitely notice it was missing, if no one else would. That book was part of a long list of books and stories that formed me into the person I am today. It's full of stories that helped shape my young mind. Some of my favorite stories from that book are:

1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
2. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
3. The Tub People by Pam Conrad

In my mind, that book will always be connected to my mom who read it to me, which she did with many books. We liked to read series together, not just her and me, but all of my siblings. When my dad worked nights, my mom would read to us, once we were in bed. One of the series we all especially loved was the Boys Against the Girls books as we called them. There are 12 books in all and we spent many nights listening to my mom read about the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls pranking each other back and forth. This series was written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, made famous  by her Shiloh books. If you're looking for something to read with your kids or just want to reconnect to your inner child, these are the books to read. For a list of these books go here.


What were some of your favorite books from your childhood? What books have continued to affect you today? Please comment below.

Keep on Reading,
K. A. Jairl

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