When I was a child, I had a huge collection of books. Some were gifts from family, some were ones I purchased and some were books of my mom’s from her own childhood years. But even so, I was such an avid reader that I usually also had a huge stack of books that I’d brought home from the school library.
As hard as it is for me to believe, it’s likely that some of the same books I brought home from that library are still there today. The average age of a book in some Canadian school libraries is 15 years, which is already long considering how often the books are read, but some are kept much longer than that. And often books are repaired with tape and staples to keep them in circulation because there’s no budget for new copies.
That’s why for the last ten years the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has supported underfunded schools to help encourage literacy and learning. And to celebrate its tenth anniversary, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has a very special contest that will help put the most beloved books of all time in libraries across Canada!
Just visit the Indigo Love of Reading voting page to cast your vote for your favourite book or books. The top ten will be donated to over 200 schools across Canada when the voting ends on February 28, 2015. You can choose from the books already listed or nominate a special favourite of your own. Personally, I’ll be voting for Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. Most children know the story of Alice’s first adventure in Wonderland, but not many know about her return. And while Roald Dahl wrote so many fabulous children’s books, both my boys and me absolutely love James and the Giant Peach, so that’s another I’ll be recommending!
To celebrate this fabulous initiative, Chapters/Indigo also has an incredible giveaway just for you! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win their own set of the top ten books chosen by Canadians during the voting contest for their own home library! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about your favourite childhood book.
You can vote as many times as you like for as many books as you like, so head over to the Indigo Love of Reading voting page and choose your favourites! Not only will you be helping to determine the top children’s books of all time, you’ll also be ensuring that underfunded schools across Canada have a great selection of books for the students. After all, there’s nothing better than helping a child develop a love of reading!
Dayna Wilson says
I love so many…The Paper Bag Princess comes to mind, because of it’s feminine-positive message…my son’s favourite book is “How to Train a Train” which is totally adorable and funny, with great art. I like a lot of Oliver Jeffers books, but some of them are kind of moronse.
Jen L says
My mom read ‘A Little Princess’ to me many times as a child, it was my fave when I started to read.
Actual smaller children’s books where Berenstein Bears, Golden books and Dr. Seuss.
Suzie M says
Its hard to choose one, I’ll love you forever is a fave
Karen C. Hill says
I’ll Love You Forever is my all time favourite story, but my son really loves Hiccuppotamus and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Stephanie Dawe says
Snow white has always been my favorite
Brenda Lacourciere says
Harry Potter 7
Linda Brown says
She has soooooooo many but she does like I’ll love you forever
Deanna T. says
I was a voracious reader as a kid, so hard to pick just one. The Silver Crown by Robert C O’Brien was one of the first chapter books I read, really stuck with me. The author is better known for writing Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (which later became the movie The Secret of NIMH).
kathy downey says
Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham is our favorite
darci says
the pokey little puppy
Luisa M. says
Captain Underpants
Florence c says
The Wizard of Oz. I read it so many time to my daughter.
Cheryl says
The Kissing Hand 🙂
Judy Cowan says
Dr Seuss The Cat in The Hat!
Stephanie LaPlante says
ZOOM! by Robert Munsch
Karine says
My nephew loves Green eggs and ham of Dr Seuss
Tiffany Rotulo says
My kids love the Frozen books. They practically have them memorized. Love this giveaway, thanks for the chance
Cheryl Almas says
Green Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss
heidi c. says
My kids have all loved Goodnight Moon.
Jennifer P. says
I have a TON of favourite children’s books. My mom was a children’s librarian for over 35 years so I have been reading great children’s book my whole life! Right now a couple of our favourites to read to our children are Goodnight Hawaiian Moon and The Paper Bag Princess.
amy t says
I really love reading the books I enjoyed as a child, to my children! I don’t know, I just get a kick out of seeing them enjoy the very stories that I did.
Some of our favorites are:
*any Amelia Bedelia book
*Jillian Jigs
*any Robert Munsch book
*Charlottes Web- this is probably the most important book I’ve ever read, it was my first chapter book. I was SO proud when I finished reading it- and it was the beginning of a life-long love of reading!
Marla says
Mortimer
Laurie B says
I use to have a book of fairy tales my mom would read to me. I can’t remember the name of it though.
Laurie B says
From the list I voted for Charlotte’s Web. One of my favourites as I got older.
Amy C says
Love you forever by Robert Munsch
Lisa H says
My favourite is Ferdinand the Bull.
Jeannie says
My son loves the Gruffalo.
MaryG. says
They love Cat in the Hat…pretty much any book that rhymes is a hit with my little ones 🙂
Lori JB says
For older ones, my favourite is the Harry Potter series. My girls love the Amelia Bedelia books – so funny.
Francine says
I picked Charlotte’s Web
Jennifer L. says
I love James and The Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
kristen visser says
Cat in the Hat
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favourites and my grandchildren love The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.
JaimeeM says
The cat in the hat is an in house favorite.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
a shame but the voting page isn’t working at the moment, maybe later 🙁
sharon boyle says
Mousington Abbey
Amber Y says
Purple, Green and Yellow is a favourite.
holly o'gorman says
When I was younger, I liked Dr Seuss, and Judy Blume.
Alesha ol says
When I was younger it was all Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary
bina edwards says
my fav is three little kittens. We had the book that had the whole verse in it and I sang that to the kids
jen s. says
Superfudge by Judy Blume and A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein.
Laurie P says
My favorite book as a kid was a Robert Munsch book, Murmel, Murmel, Murmel! My girl enjoys it just as much as I did. Actually most books, she listens to so intently. She’s just as big of a book worm as her dad!
Julie G. says
When I was little, my favourite book was called A Pony Named Alfred. I had it memorized and many years later, I can still recite parts of it.
Louise Gilbert says
Robert Munsch and Dr Seuss
lori b says
love you forever is a fav
ivy pluchinsky says
Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham
Linda Bradshaw says
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish a Dr Seuss book. That was my favorite too.
Athena says
Guess How Much I Love You
Heather NC says
These are great books with stories to pass down the next generation!!
wobbles13 says
how do dinosaurs say I’m mad? and other related book
Karin Dollery says
My granddaughters love so many different books but they especially love The Little Critters.