A tracked number grows. We see this phenomenon play itself out again and again in sports, sales, national debt, and yes, even reading. That is, if we bother to tower those titles up!

Last year, we stacked up all the books that the Captain read in 2022 and his eyes popped at the sight. “Forty-eight?” he asked in disbelief. Skeptically, he scanned the laundry list of titles and dates I had been secretly recording in my journal throughout the year. Then, meticulously, the Captain checked off the binding of each book with a flourishing swipe of his index finger, from the bottom to the top of the tower. Such assurances are necessary when the effort has been involuntary. He beamed next to the stack and crowned the top title with his hand as I snapped this picture.

Where there is delight, further incentives are irrelevant. But now a tower had been erected; a number named. Suddenly, growth was the only option.

“This year, I’m going to read fifty books!” the Captain announced.

And read them he did.

Did this goal steal his joy? Did the pursuit of accomplishment replace pure, unadulterated pleasure? Not a bit. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t add that we tread very carefully on the wildflower meadow that is our son’s reading habitat. We have made great effort throughout his young years to encourage its growth and would be foolish not to respect its borders now. In other words, we were very careful (if not obsessive) not to allow our son’s new goal to compete with his well-seasoned love for reading ‒an affection that has been continually deepening since his infancy.

I’m working intently on a bit of content that will further explore in great detail all that I am hinting at, namely, how to cultivate a rich reading habitat in your home. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here are a few principles we employed this year to make sure our son’s reading continued to be “delight-directed.”

• reading windows are scheduled into the daily routine
• beautiful, carefully-chosen books are provided
• “required reading” is not recognized in our home (our son is free to choose what he wants to read from our family’s diverse and ever-growing library)
• comics count, magazines matter, re-reads are welcomed (if our son wants to re-read a book or take a break from a novel to devour a stack of magazines, we do not hinder him and maintain that variety is the spice of life)
• we do not interrupt our children when they are reading or perusing a book, barring a fire or home invasion
• quitting is allowed (if after a chapter or two our son is not enjoying the book, we allow him to move on)
• titles are tracked and finishing a book is always celebrated
• new books, magazines, comics, etc. continually enter our home

For more ideas on delight-directing your child’s reading, refer to my previous post: 📚 21 Ways to Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading! ❤️

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Well, here they are, written in HIS OWN WORDS!

The Captain’s 51 Reads & Reviews for 2023!

*not including picture books (with the exception of a few lengthy titles or collections)

Numbering is only one standard of measure. In addition to increasing on his booking-it goal by three titles this year, the Captain’s stack increased in volume much more dramatically, as you can see in the above comparison photos. Both of us were blown away when we made this tower! Actually, we had to make two because the one was about to topple. Call me a nerd-mom (guilty), but I just love seeing our kids’ academic growth in tangible ways like this! If you set reading goals with your child this year, I encourage you to keep track of each title read in a list or journal. But then, at the end of all that reading, be sure to make up the stack together as well!

For a child, or any red-blooded human, a list is not nearly as impressive as a lofty, color-bursting tower. In terms of satisfaction, it will speak volumes.

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#1. Henry Reed’s Babysitting Service by Kieth Robertson

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I recommend this title to anyone who likes funny books or enjoys when bullies get humiliated. I will say, Henry Reed’s Babysitting Service was one of my favorite books of the year because it was super funny and kind of mysterious.”

*Word of warning from Mama: this book is very old and the boy, Henry, spanks the child he is babysitting.

#2. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This was a very silly book. Pippi can lift a horse and she makes her pancakes on the floor. She is a very funny girl, doing crazy things like climbing skyscrapers and playing with fire! I will say, this book was not very educational, but I would recommend it to kids who like reading books that are hyper and funny.”

#3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My 3rd favorite book of the year🏆

“I love how magical this book is and how it is full of heroes! I really enjoy reading about the end of the witch. It’s a great book for Christians or Non-Christians. This book tells the redemption story. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was my second-favorite book in the series!”

*Note from Mama: It is worth noting that the Captain re-read the entire Narnia series (other than Voyage of the Dawn Treader) after Papa read them all aloud to him last year.

#4. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This is a great book for anyone who loves adventure and magical creatures. I loved reading this book. Can I have a break now to read a little more Calvin and Hobbes?”

#5. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“It was a great experience reading this book, but it is a bit slower than the others in the series, except The Voyage of the Dawn Treader which is my least favorite. I recommend this book for anyone who likes longer tales.”

#6. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This is one of favorites in the series. It’s great for those who love danger and beauty all in one.”

#7. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

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“A great book for anyone who loves mystery, suspicion, and reading about evil people. This book is one of the treasures in the series.”

#8. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My 2nd favorite book of the year🏆

“This book is for people who love excitement, suspense, and escaping the world you are in. The Last Battle is my first favorite of the series. I love how the characters all get to be together at the end.”

#9. Now We are Six by A.A. Milne

🦉🦉🦉

“This is a collection of heartwarming poems. Although they are charming, I prefer actual stories to poetry. This is not to say that it’s not a good collection, which it is.”

#10. The Drinking Gourd by F.N. Monjo

🦉🦉🦉

“Unfortunately, there wasn’t as much action in this story as I like. This book is a good read for those who like reading about mischievous boys. However, I must warn you that it is kind of slow.”

#11. Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This is a heartwarming story that you can read for the whole day. If you like stories about sort of average boys and their dogs, then this story is certainly for you. And in this story, the dog does NOT die.”

#12. By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This book is for people who like cowboy-esque stories. It delivers on suspense, loud action, and a good amount of humor. You will especially enjoy this book if you like boxing matches.”

#13. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“A book people will love if they like songs, suspense, and mysterious animal tales. This is a great book to read at Easter time, and a few of the songs even have the notes written out so you can play them on the piano.”

#14. James Herriot’s Animal Stories

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I love this collection of stories from the world’s most beloved vet. I like all the humor and how sometimes there’s a surprise at the end when they think an animal is going to die.”

#15. Treasure Island (unabridged) by Robert Luis Stevenson

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My 1st favorite book of the year🏆

“This book is filled with adventures on sea and land. It is my favorite book of the year for three reasons. One, I like how the book includes faith in God. Two, I love all the adventure. And three, I like how there is both beauty and violence alike.”

#16. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

🦉🦉🦉

“While this book wasn’t one of my favorites, I do recommend it for readers who like magical fairytales where animals can have their own special language. This is one of the rare situations where the movie improved a lot on the book. The book is humorous with cool graphics but the dragons in the book are selfish, not loveable like they are in the movie.”

#17. Tales from the Arabian Nights as told by Lee Wyndham

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“Packed with danger, violence, and a lot of magic, these tales are among the treasures of my reading list this year. The illustrations are kind of mystic and very colorful. Unfortunately, this version of these tales is out of print. Mama says you can get a used copy though.”

*Warning from Mama: There is sorcery in the classic Alladin tales. Our family chooses to have discussions about such content from a Biblical perspective.

#18. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This book has a lot of false gods and some not-so-good messages. However, it’s a really fun story where your plastic toys can come to life.”

#19. On Indian Trails with Daniel Boone by Enid La Monte Meadowcroft

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This book has a mix of sad and happy events. I recommend this book for people who like adventure and fighting.”

*Note from Mama: involves cowboys fighting Native Americans with lots of opportunity for historical and cultural discussion.

#20. Rascal by Sterling North

🦉🦉🦉

“This tale is heartwarming all the way until the end where, I have to warn you, it may bring tears. I loved the book but did not like the ending.”

#21. Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This is a very sweet story. It’s basically the story of The Reluctant Dragon only with animals and a longer plot. I read this book for a second time because I love the charm of this story and how they have to save the dragon, Graham.”

*Note from Mama: It is worth noting that this is the only book besides Magic Treehouse titles that the Captain re-read from last year’s list.

#22. Paddle to the Sea by Holling Clancy Holling

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This is a book of adventure and beauty. I like how all the different characters send the canoe figure on its journey. The illustrations to this book are divine. Toward the middle, the story is a little slow.”

#23. Homer Price by Robert Mccloskey

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“These stories are some of my favorites of the year. They have a mixture of charm, humor, and a tiny bit of danger in the first story. It will have your family rolling on the floor with laughter.”

#24. Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant

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“This story, with all the lovable animals, has a lot of humor and a little bit of suspense. Murray, the fat bat, is the most hilarious character in the book. This is one of my favorite books of the year and possibly the funniest.”

#25. Ben and Me by Robert Lawson

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“In this book where mice talk there is both violence and humor. I like how in this book Benjamin Franklin flatters and tricks the King and Queen into something. I also like how smart and boogerish the mouse is in this story.”

#26-29. Sarah Plain and Tall Series by Patricia MacLachlan

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I like this collection of stories because the family comes together in a very sweet way after the mother dies. My favorite in the series is Caleb’s Story because the family finds a special person who had been missing. There is also really good conflict because they have to try and help the found person get along with the rest of the family.”

#30. The Wonderful Locomotive by Cornelia Meigs

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This book was a mix of excitement, charm, and a small bit of danger. I like in this book how the train is kind of magical and the boy gets to travel on it to help people. I like the creator of the train also.”

#31. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“In this book, all the toys can talk to each other but can’t move or be heard by anyone other than the other toys. It’s very bizarre and it’s not believable how the rabbit survives everything that happens to him. However, the illustrations are one of the best things about this book.”

#32. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I like this book because it has the same amount of violence as it does charm. I like how they go out of their home and see things that they had never even known about before. I have to warn you that parts of the beginning and all of the middle is pretty slow. It kind of leaves you hanging at the end and makes you want to read the next one though.”

#33. Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My favorite Joy-Read🏆

“Calvin and Hobbes is hilarious. I like how Calvin is so smart and crazy. I recommend these comics to anyone who enjoys reading about mischievous boys and seeing them get into trouble.”

*A word from Mama:

I encourage comics if for no other reason than to indulge myself in hearing that stream of giggles from the fireside; a unique melody among the music of literary joy.

#34. Kingfisher’s History Encyclopedia

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I recommend this encyclopedia to anyone who can’t get enough of history like me. I love it. It includes everything from ancient Chinese pottery to the bloodiest wars. I’ve learned a lot about history reading it, even though you can’t believe everything it says.”

*Note from Mama: This was my encyclopedia growing up, and I’m glad to finally see it being read, if you get what I mean. Some of the historical context is quite one-sided but offers a lot of opportunity for discussion and practicing discernment!

#35. Ranger Rick 1970’s and 1980’s magazine lot + Wildlife Explorer Journals

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My favorite educational read🏆

“I love reading about all the animals in these magazines and how they help people. I also like reading about Wise Old Owl. She has a whole section of the magazine where she answers questions from kids all over the world. These collections have some heartwarming stories and are not all fiction. I recommend Ranger Rick magazines to anyone who loves reading about wildlife and wants to protect wildlife and keep our world healthy. I have to warn you though, some animals die in different stories in these magazines.”

*Note from Mama: For Christian families, these magazines promote evolution (along with most nature books). We recommend Ken Ham’s children’s books to help your child gain a strong understanding of creation and develop discernment in this area.

#36. Who Would Win? 10 Book Box Set by Jerry Pallotta

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“I like these because they have many of the ferocious animals I’ve been itching to know who would win if they fought each other. My favorite is the alligator versus python. These books not only have great fights, they also have amazing facts about the animals.”

*Note from Mama: These were a Christmas gift from the Captain’s cousin, and he devoured them in a single sitting under the Christmas tree. Before opening his other presents.

#s 37-50. The Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne (10 of which were re-reads)

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

🏆My go-to Comfort Read🏆

“This series is great for anyone who loves history and enjoys the idea of traveling back in time. Some of the stories are a little bit violent, but these are some of the best books I’ve read. I love how they meet animals and do sign language and stuff like that. I also love when the kids meet old heroes like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.”

*Word of warning from Mama: There is magic in these books, including sorcery. Our family chooses to have discussions about these elements from a Biblical perspective.

#51. The Swamp Robber (book 1 of The Sugar Creek Gang series) by Paul Hutchens

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

“This series is great for Christians and Non-Christians alike. I like how mysterious this book was and how characters in it come to know the truth. The leader, Big Jim, is a firm Christian and a loyal boy scout who doesn’t like beating people up unless he has to. I also like Little Jim; he’s a super strong Christian and wants others to know about God.

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Want to inspire a reading a habit in your home? Here’s something to get you started!

Please pass on to a friend!

Recommendations for how to use this bookmark:

1. print onto white cardstock
2. color or watercolor each book as they are completed, or plan your reading list!
3. there are 74 total titles total (feel free to include audiobook titles, chapter books read aloud to your child, small series books, etc.)

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May many beautiful books bless you and your family this year! Subscribe below to never miss a post!

Love, ~Candace Arden~