Dadcentric Book Club: Volume 1

I was out to lunch with my brother-in-law and his family last week, and I sat across the table from his precocious 9 year old daughter.  My wife and I were quizzing her about Christmas gifts, and she started rattling off a bunch of books she wants and/or has read (they came out so fast I couldn't really tell).  Almost instantly the adults at the table began reminiscing about all the books we loved growing up, and I started thinking about what books I'd be reading to my daughter some day.  We're not reading her much of anything yet (I don't think she can distinguish between Goodnight Moon and Ulysses) and she prefer the taste of books to the content.  Aside from Harry Potter I haven't really been following children's literature recently (although I do know that my child will NOT be reading anything by John Lithgow or Madonna) so I plan on pulling out all the greats from my childhood to pass down to the next generation.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share some of the favorites that are already starting to line our bookshelves, even if some are for kids who think more about robots and ponys than ramming their fist down their throats while kicking and squealing.  I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss - You can't lead off without the Seuss.  Close call between this and One Fish, Two Fish, but I like this book in a box, with a fox, on a train, in the rain, etc.  

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - OK, so most of the adults (and some of the kids) in his books meet nasty ends, but kids LOVE that shit  Plus, talking spiders...cooool 

Soup by Robert Newton Peck - In second grade I had to read part of a book out loud to my class.  I picked an excerpt from this book, and I remember the entire class on the floor laughing when I was done. 

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls - Before I nerded out and began obsessing over The Hobbit, this was my all time favorite book.  
 
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - I think I wrote three separate book reports in three separate grades on this book.  To this day, it still gives hope to band geeks worldwide

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - It's mostly just fun to read the title.  Stick up your nose and say "Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler."  Fun, isn't it?  I feel like a butler. 

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume - Ms. Blume is the Homer of children's literature...

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary - ...which would make Ms. Cleary the Virgil

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis - Christian overtones blah blah blah.  Dudes go into battle against a witch.  With a lion.  'Nuff said?
 
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - Yeah, like this wasn't going to make the list

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - or this one 

The Monster at the End of This Book (Little Golden Book) by Jon Stone - Silly Grover, YOU'RE the monster at the end of the book!!! 

I'm sure you've all got favorites...let's hear them!