In difficult times we all look for something to comfort us. What better way to do that than to read a book that gave us pleasure as a child. No one is ever too old to indulge in the enjoyment derived from curling up in a favorite chair with a soothing cup of tea or hot cocoa and reading a familiar book. Do you have children in your life? Then read out loud to them. The act of reading out loud is not only comforting to them but reminds us of the contentment we felt when we were read to as children.
Although any book that is familiar will be comforting, here is a list of perennial favorites, as well as some new titles, you might want to consider:
- A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- The Peter Rabbit tales by Beatrix Potter
- Stuart Little by E.B. White
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
- Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
- Masterpiece by Elise Broach
- Return to the Willows, a sequel to The Wind in the Willows by Jacqueline Kelly
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
For something lighthearted try:
- “Stand Back” said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” by Patty Thomas
- Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep by Joyce Dunbar
- Any book by Mo Willems
- Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
- The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, noted that, “Whenever a school experiences violence and the lives of children and adults are lost, we struggle to find words to express our emotions and explain how this could have happened.” She encourages parents and teachers to reassure children that home and school are two of the safest places they can be. What better way to reassure your children than to cuddle together and make new memories with good books.
Additional information:
- Resources for Parents Following Traumatic Events – From the U.S. Department of Education
- Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting – From the American Psychological Association
What are your comfort reads? Share them in the comments below.
