My Ohio family reported back to me that they ALL enjoyed books by Dr. Seuss, and the Berenstein Bears books by Stan and Jan Berenstein (my favorite here is Bears in the Night). When the kids were young they read the Boxcar Children books by Gertrude Chandler Warner, the Junie B Jones books by Barbara Park with illustrations by Denise Brunkus, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and, of course, (!) all the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. The younger offspring also enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis.

Two series I remember from so very long ago are not ones others remember, it seems. Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and Snipp, Snapp, Snurr were books about Swedish triplets (girls and boys) and their adventures, or rather, "gentle misadventures" as one review put it. Perhaps these books stuck with me because there were three children so there was always some one to play (or fight) with?

My Maryland connections mention a few common titles from the Ohio Family: Narnia, Harry Potter, and Lemony Snicket, but the kids there also enjoyed the Black Stallion books (Walter Farley), and the Ramona books (Beverly Cleary). Two specific titles also made their list: Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, and the much loved (or much hated, I've been told) Good Night, Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown. There are now many versions of this book, and it is available in many languages. (Watch for more on GNM in a later post). :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog