MamaCodes: insights into the good life, one book at a time

For many young emerging readers, the longer and more complicated classics are not the best starting point to develop the love of reading. The following books have been much-loved by my girls as they began moving away from the “Frog and Toad” easy readers to slightly more complex plots. Sophie Mouse – Poppy Green Princess…

THere are so many good adventure, fantasy good vs. evil plots for our children. These stories are best for 7+ as they have some stronger themes and potentially frightening scenes (battles scenes, scary adventures.) Redwall – Wilderking Series Wingfeather Saga Green Ember Mistmantle Series The Wizard of Oz Series The Chronicles of Narnia The Hobbit…

Yes, all books have families but these are particularly lovely and often showcase larger families and many close sibling relationships. Many of these books make for great read alouds! All of a Kind Family – Sydney Taylor (7+) The Moffats – Eleanor Estes (4+) The Saturdays (and the Melendy Quartet) – Elizabeth Enright (6+) The…

Alexander – Harold Littledale. We were tired of living in a house Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No good very bad day The Snowy Day

Sometimes you just need silly books! Giant John – Arnold Lobel The Story About Ping The Five Chinese Brothers Angus the Dog Series I Broke my Trunk (The Piggie and Elephant Books) While the Shepherd Slept There’s a Mouse about the House! Caps for Sale Strega Nona Mr Popper’s Penguins Lyle, Lyle Crocodile Nibbles the…

The Adventures of Nick and Sam – Laura Ingalls Wilder Series Grandma’s Attic All of a Kind Family Betsy- Tacy – Narnia Series (start with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) American Girl Books – especially the original historical girls (Molly, Samantha, Felicity, Kit, Addy, Kirsten, Kaya) Beverly Cleary’s “Ramona” Series Sarah, Plain and…

Below is my on-going list of good books and series for boys age 8-10/11. in no particular order, and obviously they can be good for girls too!) Homer price– Robert McCloskey. A feel good novel about a boy and his small town adventures. Anything by McCloskey is a win, picture books included! On the wings…

I remember walking to school with my mom; she walked so fast! I had to do a double step to keep up with her! And somewhere along the line of life, I kept this pace of walking too fast, and rushing everyone around me. In a recent podcast by Kim John Payne, he describes his…

Childhood is such a sweet time for books, and there are so many lovely titles for young girls. Here are our favorites series: Ramona Quimby Series “B” is for Betsy Up and down the River – The Fairchild Family Series Milly Mandy Molly

The hill was just the right level of difficulty for my 10 year old self. Steep enough to be a thrilling coast down, but not so terrifying to worry about skinned-knees. My sisters and I would ride down this hill again and again over the next few days. Our favorite campsite was just a less…