For the love of books

My husband looked at me the other day and said "How old was Anna when we started reading to her?"

We both looked down at Lauren, sitting on the floor in front of us and smiled at her in a "I'm sorry we keep forgetting to do all the things you're supposed to do with your baby with you" kind of a way.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. The poor, poor second child.

Boynton really understands
the complexities of language.

I can't tell you the number of times we've been holding Lauren, playing with Lauren, changing Lauren, when all of the sudden, Andrew or I will look at the other and say "How old was Anna when we... <started brushing her teeth> <encouraged her to feed herself with a spoon> <put her in swimming lessons> <read to her regularly>?"

And while she's still not in swimming lessons or using a spoon, I'm happy to say that this Mom of the Year has begun reading to Lauren each night.

Therefore, in honour of my awesome parenting abilities, I bring you the following list of: My Ultimate Favourite Lines from Kids Books.  These books and these sentiments never fail to make me smile, weep, laugh and remind me of the happiest time in my life so far.

• "Mama's right here. And I always will be. You are my shining star. Mama's right here. Through the rest of your life. My love is wherever you are!" – Mama’s Right Here

When I first read this line, I was pregnant with Lauren and was looking for a book that would let Anna know how special she was, even with a new baby arriving. I started weeping in the middle of Indigo.

• "I love you right up to the moon - and back" - Guess How Much I Love You

I literally cannot read that line without my eyes welling up. Gets me every single time I've read it for the past 3 years.

• "Once there was a tree... And she loved a little boy." - The Giving Tree

I know there's debate on the sentiment of this book, but I love it. I remember it so fondly from when I was a kid.

• "The moon is high. The sea is deep. They rock and rock and rock to sleep." - The Going to Bed Book

I've read this one over and over and over again to Anna. Partly in hopes that she would get the hint and start sleeping through the damn night - and partly because I just love Sandra Boynton.

• "Sleeping in that cave was a very cranky… BEAR!!!  ROAAAAR went the cranky bear. ROAR, ROAR, ROAR!" - The Very Cranky Bear

Anna loves to "roar" along with this book. And it makes me laugh every time she does it. So cute.

And one of personal favourites from my (a little bit older) childhood...

• “Are you there, God? It's me Margaret"

What are your faves?