Learn To Be Foundation

Learn to be... readers. Children who love reading not only develop strong vocabulary and language skills, but are often more creative and excel in school. We asked the Learn To Be staff to share just one childhood book that encouraged their love for reading. By remembering our favorite stories, we hope you will join us in sharing the joy of reading with children everywhere.

THE POLAR EXPRESS
by Chris Van Allsburg

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Stephen

THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE
by Beverly Cleary

A young mouse named Ralph befriends a boy named Keith, who teaches him how to ride a toy motorcycle. Thus begins a great friendship and many adventures including a terrifying encounter with a vacuum cleaner and a heroic search for aspirin.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Neeraj
 

THE HEART OF A CHAMPION
by Carl Deuker

Seth and Jimmy live and breathe baseball. On and off the field, their passion for the game gets them through some of life's struggles and unites them in a once in a lifetime friendship.

Reading level: Young adult

Recommended by Bryan

THE GIVING TREE
by Shel Silverstein

A parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love, told through the life of a boy who grows to manhood and a tree that selflessly gives her bounty through the years.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Michael

THE BFG
by Roald Dahl

Snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Lynn

BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON!
by Sid Fleischman

Twelve-year-old Jack Flagg and his butler, Praiseworthy, stow away on a ship to search for wealth during the California Gold Rush. Along the way, they meet adventures and villains in the wild, dangerous West.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Recommended by Bruce

PURPLE, GREEN AND YELLOW
by Robert Munsch

Brigid really loves markers. But when she draws on herself with super-indelible-never-comes-off-till-you're-dead ink, she must find a creative solution to stay out of trouble.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Heather

THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY,
AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR
by Don and Audrey Wood

A little mouse worries that a big, hungry bear will take his freshly picked, ripe, red strawberry for himself.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Recommended by Jen

Comments (1)

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Sarah K. said:

The Indian in the Cupboard What could be better than a magic cupboard that turns small toys into living creatures? Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, so he gives Omri an old medicine cabinet he's found. Although their mother supplies a key, the cabinet still doesn't seem like much of a present. But when an exhausted Omri dumps a plastic toy Indian into the cabinet just before falling asleep, the magic begins. Turn the key once and the toy comes alive; turn it a second time and it's an action figure again. (via Amazon)

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December 10, 2009
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