At Au Pair Care, we love...

Inspired by our international team at Au Pair Care, we asked around the office to compile a special, nostalgic, yet up-to-date list of our favorite children’s books – books  that we would love to have our au pairs read to our kids.
   
1.    The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business
By Wolf Erlbruch, Werner Holzwarth   
This is a loveable oh-so-funny story about a mole that wants to find out who happened to poo on his head.  So he goes out and asks the rabbit, the bear and many other animals on his way. It’s a lovely illustrated book and a fun story that will keep your kid excited, and will make you laugh for its underlying wisdom.

2.    The Trip To Panama
By Janosch
The colorful and detailed pictures and the exciting story tell a tale about friendship, dreams, appreciation, and home. Everything starts with the little bear discovering a little box while he is fishing at the river. On the box it says “Panama” and it smells like bananas. Immediately the little bear knows this is the land of his dreams. So he runs home to the small tiger to prepare for a long journey to Panama.


3.    Friends
By Helme Heine
This absolutely charming and delightfully illustrated tale for all ages will make you and your child laugh out loud and learn about friendship through the adventures of Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse, and Percy Pig. They ride their bikes together, play games together and sleep together- even if that means Percy the pig has to sleep on a Rooster stick. It is one of the most read books in Germany.


4.    The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold around the world.  Kids are excited to follow the path of the caterpillar while he eats his way through one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, and so on.  The book teaches counting and the days of the week with bright, bold pictures and a butterfly metamorphosis story!

5.    Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: A Book of Moods (Ages 2-6)
By Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton is a popular American humorist, songwriter, children's author, and illustrator. This, her newest book on the market, describes moods and emotions with very funny pictures. Kids love to repeat the sounds and feelings that are described in the book and the pages are colorful and vivid!

6.    Farmyard BeatBy Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown
This is a colorful bedtime story, perfect for toddler and preschoolers, to read aloud, repeating the rhymes and sounds. All the animals on the farm can’t sleep, and before you know it there is a party going on.

7.    One Duck Stuck
by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Another great counting and animal book with bright and bold illustrations. Why is it special? This book received the Parents Book of the Year award and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold award.


8.    When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me
by Sandra Magsamen
Oprah calls this one of the most captivating children's books she's ever read. We guess it must be good!


9.    Pippi Longstocking
By Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren, from Sweden, was famous for her books in America years ago. The target age for these stories is four to six, and quick-to-read children will be able to handle them at seven. Pippi is incredibly strong and can lift a horse on her own. She is also not afraid of anything, so she lives alone in Villa Villekulla with her horse and a monkey, Mr. Nilsson. With her friends, Tommy and Annika, she experiences many adventures, like taking on two burglars, having an unusual birthday party, and rolling down a hill in a wine barrel.

Now – you tell us!  Which book should be number 10 on the list? Please let us know in the comments below!

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Post by Karen Hilbes, APC