Superwoman Book List, Part 2: Children's Books

I have been reviewing the stats of my blog and found that the book list and movie reviews are quite popular. I was thinking of writing more specific posts about these two topics.

Books can have a life-changing impact. The books we read as children are especially significant to forming us into the people we will become.

I recently wrote about the Berenstain Bears, which I definitely loved as a child and still love today. So I won't include those in this list. Here are a few books that I enjoyed as a child that still bounce around in my head.

1. Thornton, the Worrier by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. This is a book about a rabbit that worries about everything. Then he meets someone who never worries at all. When I was a child I didn't think of myself as a worrier. As I have gotten older, especially since becoming a mother, I tend to worry more. When I feel too stressed, I think of this story. It reminds me to take things in stride.

2. Socks For Supper by Jack Kent. This is a sweet story about self-reliance. My mother used to read it often. She said it was the Church's Welfare Program in children's form. I liked this story as a child. As an adult, I cry every time I read it. It is so simple and yet so powerful.

3. Great Day For Up by Dr. Seuss. This is really the only Dr. Seuss book I liked as a child. I read Green Eggs and Ham and Hop on Pop but they were crazy! This one was cheerful and funny. My mom used to quote the first line to us when she woke us up..."The sun is up so up with you!"

4. Junk Day on Juniper Street by Lilian Moore. This basically "one man's trash is another man's treasure" in story form. But I have always liked it.

5. The Family Minus by Fernando Krahn. This is a silly story that fueled my imagination. My husband can blame this story for my love of clever names. (If I had my way our kids might well be called Fire and Federal!)


Here are a few children's books that I enjoy reading to my own children.

1. Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor. This is such a sweet book for little girls. I enjoy the whole series. So do my girls. It is so fun to "play" fancy Nancy with crazy scarves and ribbons and artificial flowers.

2. Click, Clack, Moo; Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. A simple, funny story about animals on a farm. The kids and I love it. (This is also a series.)

3. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. This is the same author who wrote Shrek (which only vaguely resembles the movie) I found this story very touching. My kids think it is boring but I still like it.

4. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins. I loved this as a child. I can almost quote it. Which is good since my 2 year old wants to read it at least 10 times a day! But I still love the rhythm of the words. It is so fun to read!

5. I Wish That I Had Duck Feet  by Theo LeSieg. This was also a favorite from my childhood that my kids love. A fun story about creative thinking and self-acceptance.

6. A Bad Case of Stripes  by David Shannon. Also about self-acceptance. Very crazy for the kids eentertainment. And even though it is about a girl, my boys love it. (I think it is because of the gross things she turns into!)

7. The Gardener by Sarah Stewart. I first heard this story during a Relief Society meeting. It is a wonderful story about nurturing talents and making the best of bad situations.

8. Flotsam by David Wiesner. I love books by this author/artist. There are no words but amazing artwork.

Superwoman Movie Picks

Growing up, my family had a certain set of movies that we enjoyed. When I got married, my husband introduced me to a whole new set of movies that I would never have chosen. As I marvel at the melding of our movie tastes, I often think "How was this movie out there and I never knew about it?" Now that I am a mother, I am always on the look out for entertaining, enlightening movies that our family can watch together. Here are a few that I suggest to you.


These are all movies that I find cheerful or uplifting in some way. I like to watch them when I am feeling a little down.

You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks ans Meg Ryan. I didn't like it that much when I first saw it. After 9/11 I was feeling a little distraught and I decided to watch this movie. It helped, for some reason. I watched it a lot in the weeks that followed that tragedy. It still cheers me up. It does have a few aspects that are not appropriate (like the characters living with their boyfriend/girlfriend) but there are no "fast forward" parts.

Support Your Local Sheriff, starring James Garner. This is a western comedy. I really enjoy this movie and my 10 year old son thinks it is hilarious. It is quite clean and while there is some threat of violence, it is not scary. (So if you don't want your kids to see guns, this isn't the movie for you.)

Follow That Dream, starring Elvis Presley. This is a very cute, funny movie, although it might be a little slow for kids. It has a lot of sweet humor. There are a few mildly suggestive scenes and there is some threat of violence from mobsters who run an illegal casino.

McLintock, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This is western but it is very funny. There is a slightly serious undertone related to Native American issues of the time period. There are a few scenes with fighting and even a spanking scene that would never be allowed in today's movies. It has some very good messages about life and marriage.

The Thrill of it All, starring James Garner and Doris Day. This is about a stay-at-home mom who gets a job and gets over her head. This would be such a  flop today but I appreciate that women really did choose their families over their careers once upon a time.

The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews. I know. Your are thinking that I really didn't need to actually tell you this was a great movie but, just for the record, it is wonderful. It is a musical and has some serious parts and some slow parts but I love every bit of it! (And so do my kids!)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, starring Jane Powell and Howard Keel. This is a musical comedy. It may not be to everyone's taste. My brothers used to imagine themselves in this film. It is classic old-Hollywood musical. I love Howard Keel's voice. I could listen to him all day.

Singin' In The Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. This is one of my all-time favorite movies. It takes place during the transition from silent to "talking" pictures. It is funny and educational (if you care about film history). My kids like it, too.

While You Were Sleeping, starring Sandra Bullock. Another absolute favorites. It takes place during Christmas so it kind of feels like a holiday movie but I watch it all year long. It has a few "grown-up" comments but is very clean and sweet. It is one of those movies that makes me happy!

I guess that is a nice list for now. I hope you have a chance to watch some of these wonderful movies. Check your local library.