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Home » Blog » Mom Life » Crafting » Little Pea’s Library

Little Pea's Library

Apr 22, 2010 by Tiffany Dahle

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My completely fantastic book club ladies surprised me with a baby gift for Little Pea at our last meeting. I can't think of a gift more appropriate from them than the one that they chose--a starter library for Little Pea. Each woman from the club chose the chapter book that inspired her love of reading as a young girl and they filled a basket with copies of their choices.


I was thrilled to see several titles I remember loving myself mixed in with a few I hadn't heard of before. I can't wait to share this collection with both my girls. Our little library starter set thoughtfully included:

The Ramona Collection by Beverly Cleary
Matilda by Roal Dahl
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
The Wrinkle in Time Series by Madeleine L'Engle
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

It just so happens that I've already been setting aside my childhood favorites for the girls so I was thrilled there were no repeats of the ones I already have on hand. If I had been adding to this basket, my selection would have been either A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett or Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. 

What would you have added to the basket? Do you have a specific memory of the first book you loved? I'd love to hear about it if you would leave a comment.

To top the basket off, they included a beautiful framed series of quotes and a matching baby onesie and toddler t-shirt that says "Got Books". Too clever for words. The quotes they found are so special, I thought I'd close this post with them for your enjoyment:

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world.
 Love of books is the best of all.

-Jacqueline Kennedy

To learn to read is to light a fire;
 every syllable that is spilled out is a spark.

- Victor Hugo

There is more treasure in books than
 in all the pirates' loot on Treasure Island.

-Walt Disney

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.

-Emilie Buchwald

The greatest gift is a passion for reading.

-Elizabeth Hardwick

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading,
 to make reading one of her deep and continuing needs, is good for her.

- Maya Angelou

The more you read, the more things you will know.
 The more you learn, the more places you'll go.

- Dr. Seuss

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela Waldner

    March 05, 2012 at 11:48 am

    the Trumpet of The Swan
    Little Women
    and definatly for the younger years all of the "The Bear Snores On" series by Karma Wilson....They are wonderful, and they are books that I LOVE to read to my children!

    Reply
  2. Peggy

    March 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    I would have added The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

    Reply
  3. Michelle F

    March 26, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    I think this is the most amazing baby gift! What a wonderful idea, I can't wait to be invited to a baby shower.

    Reply
  4. Kate

    April 04, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I would of added Little Women.. of course!!

    Reply
  5. Heather G

    April 19, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    I loved Eric Carle "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and Shel Silversteen "Where the sidewalk ends". Were my two favorite books as a little girl. Love the idea!!

    Reply
  6. beki

    May 22, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Anne of Green Gables.. loved those books

    Reply
  7. Jenni

    May 23, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    http://www.nancytillman.com/books/crown/
    Nancy Tillman has some amazing children's books.

    Reply
  8. Veronica Demski

    May 25, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Narnia Series. And maybe a board book so the little one can start reading from this special basket. Also maybe one leveled reader for the same reason.

    Reply
  9. Belva Miller

    July 06, 2012 at 12:05 am

    What books and items would you recommend for a boys basket?

    Reply
    • tiffdahle

      July 08, 2012 at 2:59 pm

      That's a great question, Belva! I don't have sons, but the ladies that put this basket together for me do. Sounds like a "Part 2" post is in order! Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
  10. Christine

    July 11, 2012 at 9:16 am

    I would have added Little House on the Prairie, Black Beauty, and Classic Winnie the Pooh. Also a custom library of rubber stamp with her name to make sure all those wonderful books find their way back to her. https://www.etsy.com/listing/62151270/bookworm-mark-your-library-books

    Reply
  11. Jessica

    August 25, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I know this is old but I just found you on pinterest. I see that one of my favorite books growing up is not represented and it needs to be represented. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was so important to my childhood. I probably have read it a few hundred times over the years. It's one of those twist on the Cinderella story. Ella is strong, smart, and kind but she's also very stubborn. She's a great real role model.

    Reply
  12. Beth Pipkin

    September 10, 2012 at 1:43 am

    Not a chapter book but Each Peach Pear Plum is a must.

    Reply
  13. TAMMIE MAUBACH

    October 31, 2012 at 7:47 am

    I would add Bed Time Bible Stories

    Reply
  14. Saleigh Strohl

    December 06, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    I'm a little older and would add, Black Beauty, Beautiful Joe, and the Black Stallion Series.

    Reply
  15. Kate corbin

    January 19, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    My dad read "The Paperbag Princess" to me as a child. I LOVED it, I have copies for my children as well, I recently had a baby girl and we've already read it...

    Reply
  16. Katrina

    March 04, 2013 at 7:20 am

    What a wonderful and thoughtful gift/idea! Those are great selections. I would've added: The Little House series, Anne of Green Gables, Mandy, The Last of Great Wangdoodles, and The Chronicles of Narnia 🙂

    Reply
  17. Madigan

    March 15, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    The Gumm Street Girls is a very interesting book! The book is pretty big but I read it in a few days because I simply couldn't put it down!

    Reply
  18. Milissa

    March 23, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I know this is old...but I LOVE books so much I can't help but comment. I always give a book with a new baby gift...and the kiddos in my life get books with other gifts for all gift giving occasions.

    I would add the Shel Silverstein books...Where the Sidewalk Ends and/or A Light in the Attic. Those poems are silly and fun and there is something in there for kids of all ages. I also like The Little Engine that Could and for boys (chapter book) Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing.

    Reply
  19. Christi

    April 23, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    I also know this is old...but someone above asked about books for boys. Some of the favorites in our family were Ferdinand the Bull and Love you Forever by Robert Munsch. I loved them as a little girl, but they are both boy centered. I love the idea of a starter library. So cute!!

    Reply
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  23. Krista

    July 15, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    I would add The Ordinary Princess by MM Kaye and the first Boxcar Children's book.

    Reply
  24. alicia b

    July 29, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    There are so many great books. The newest is what if? Teaching children confidence

    Reply
  25. Kristina

    November 08, 2013 at 9:25 am

    I found this post on Pinterest and I love this idea! My brother taught me how to read when I was 2 years old, and I quickly devoured picture books. When I got out of kindergarten, my mom started having me read the Harry potter books, and I fell in love with them! I had finished reading the entire series by third grade (I had to wait for some to come out). I think every library should have the Harry potter series for when each child is ready to start reading chapter books.

    I also loved the Little House on a Prairie books, Narnia, and, when I was
    Younger, the Bear Snores On books by karma Wilson. (I especially loved those books when my grandma read them to me 🙂 )

    Thanks for your inspiring post!

    Reply
  26. Carolyn

    November 16, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Love all of these awesome titles! I have to add The Boxcar Children to the list, though. I loved it!

    Reply
  27. Elizabeth

    March 07, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    It's for a bit older, but my favorites were Island of the Blue Dolphins, Where the Red Fern Grows, Harriet the Spy, and the Westing Game.

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Tiffany! I'm a mom to two sweet peanuts and author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids. I love to celebrate the seasons and make time for monthly book club fun.

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