It’s going to be a LONG time before baby curls up with any of these (maybe late at night, under the covers with a flashlight, like Mom did). But I’ll read them aloud from those very beginning days when all the baby wants is to hear my voice. (In fact, hubby is already reading Winnie the Pooh to my bump, which recently acquired the ability to hear our voices.) I hope the baby loves these books as much as I do…
Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, by A.A. Milne – These have been favorites of mine since very early days. The exploits of that lovable, cuddly bear-of-little-brain and his friends (wise Owl, gloomy Eeyore, put-upon Rabbit, anxious Kanga, fun-loving Roo, exuberant Tigger and best friend Christopher Robin) are a childhood staple.
When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six, by A.A. Milne – See above. I love all of A.A. Milne’s poems (especially ones that feature Pooh and friends) and I know baby will enjoy them too.
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame – Somehow I missed this as a kid, although I was always aware of the book’s existence. I first read it as an adult and loved the adventures of Mole, Rat, and their friends.
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett – I have loved this sweet springtime story of a group of friends who discover a neglected garden and turn it into a place of beauty. It makes me want to get outside and dig in my yard. I hope the baby loves this one as much as I do!
The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis – It’s a little hard to catch the Christian messages at first – I certainly missed them on my first few reads through the series; I was too young – but you can’t go wrong with a tale of adventure and talking animals.
Betsy-Tacy (and progeny), by Maud Hart Lovelace – Katie clued me in to this series about three young friends growing up in Minnesota in the early 1900s. I have no idea how I missed out on these wonderful books when I was young. Baby girl certainly won’t!
Anne of Green Gables (and progeny), by L.M. Montgomery – Do I even need to explain this one? Probably not. Spunky, imaginative Anne, loyal Diana and pesky (but so handsome) Gilbert are favorite childhood friends of mine. Add the Emily of New Moon trilogy and Jane of Lantern Hill to the bookshelf, and now we’re talking.
The Little Bookroom, by Eleanor Farejon – I used to pull stories from this gorgeous collection to use as bedtime tales during my babysitting days. The story of the little goldfish who wants to marry the moon is my favorite.
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott – Well, obviously. Baby girl is going to love the story of the four March sisters and their strong mother, Marmee. It’s a longtime favorite of mine and I know my little one will be reading it under the covers with a flashlight, just like her mom.
What were your favorite children’s classics? What can’t-miss books do you suggest?
covered in flour 
SO many of my faves here – Betsy-Tacy, Anne, Little Women, Winnie-the-Pooh. Love, love, love.
I’d also recommend the Little House on the Prairie series, A Wrinkle in Time and sequels, Caddie Woodlawn, the Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood, The Borrowers and sequels…too many to list!
How did I miss the Little House books?! That’s an oversight on my part for sure. And I definitely agree with you on all the others, especially the Madeleine L’Engle. I can’t wait for this kid to become a reader… hope she enjoys it as much as I do.
The Bobbsey Twins series. (Heck, it was dated way back then, but quite addictive in 2nd-3rd grade.)
Face it–Tom Sawyer is a necessity for a boy; and Becky Thatcher helps make it a chick-book too.
Oh, I forgot about the Bobbsey Twins! I used to read them too.
And I’m sure that baby’s Dad will make sure that she has some Mark Twain in her library… even though Mom isn’t a big fan. (I’ll counteract the Mark Twain with plenty of L.M. Montgomery.)