Books were as appealing as toys to me when I was growing up. I remember feeling giddy going around the bookstore in my rubber shoes more than three decades ago, checking out book covers that would capture my attention. I was constantly searching for a piece that would intrigue me, whisk me off to a faraway land, or introduce me to characters I felt I could be friends with in real life.
While looking at books for children and young adults the other day, I couldn’t help but think of the ones that made an impact on my life, no matter how seemingly mundane they were for others. I have no idea if these still have space on today’s shelves but here are my top five favorite titles:
It’s A Small World
Back in the ‘90s, children’s books with cassette tapes as audio support were the thing. The sounds elevate the experience and tickle the imagination. This particular title got me excited about Disneyland a few years before getting the chance to see it for the first time. The book paid particular attention to the classic ride, It’s a Small World. The story was about an orphan who didn’t know his roots but unraveled a mystery about himself at the theme park. The whole book was like a virtual ticket to a discovery retreat at what is tagged to be “the happiest place on earth.”
Jessica’s Cookie Disaster
Aside from this book being about the cookie disaster, it talked a lot about something I was interested in – baking. In case you missed it, Jessica, one of the Wakefield twins, forgot what she put into her accidental cookie batter. The cookies turned out amazing enough for a TV show to invite Jessica as a guest. The Sweet Valley Twins title was a light read and one that was hard to put down. It was also here where I first learned the word serendipity.
Si Monica Dalosdalos
Dalosdalos in English means more like reckless or careless, and the image it creates in my head is someone in a rush. This book reminds children to be careful and to think before they act. Being the clumsy kid I was, it was a cute and creative reminder of the consequences of clumsiness.
Care Bears
I believe that the Care Bears were my generation’s Peppa Pig, and I was one of the biggest fans of this group of cute and huggable-looking bears. And when the two things I love – food and the Care Bears – were combined, I knew I had to get the book.
This book, with easy-to-follow recipes and the loveliest illustrations, inspired me to form “The Little Bakers’ Club” with playmates and classmates who shared the same passion as members. The book evoked a lot of creativity for us to swap recipes and enough inspiration to rummage through our mothers’ pantries.
The Carrot Seed
I didn’t get to read this book until I was an adult. One of my best friends in college, Cheerine, recommended it and the book gave me a lesson I still keep to this very day. It had a straightforward story about a boy who was told that the carrot seed he planted would not grow but still chose to water it every day. At any age you read, the book was a simple yet strong reminder that having focus and believing in yourself will bring out your best.
A quote by C.S. Lewis perfectly fits The Carrot Seed, ”A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
What was your favorite read as a kid?