67 Books Every Geek Should Read to Their Kids Before Age 10

The Toys Go Out series is a bit like Toy Story, but a little tamer and very funny. The know-it-all Stingray is especially fun to read, as she speaks in a sort of poetry when she’s making things up. And every child wonders if their toys are really alive, doing things when they’re not at home. Jonathan Liu

Another book that made my Stories About Girls series, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon weaves together many Chinese folktales into a longer story about a girl and a dragon on a quest. As with the best folktales, these are best spoken aloud. Jonathan Liu

Another classic, Winnie-the-Pooh came out in 1926 (if you can believe it). Forget the Disney version (fun, yes) and get your kids reading, and read aloud, the original written by A. A. Milne, and introduce your kids to Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and their adventures. My favorite always was Pooh’s discovering the “Heffalump” tracks; as he wanders in circles, each new set of Heffalump tracks are, in fact, his own. A magical, evocative world. Ethan Gilsdorf

The Little Bear books, first written way back in 1957 by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, are simple, lovable stories of a simple, Pooh-like bear named, well, “Little Bear.” The language is simple, too — “It is cold. See the snow. See the snow come down. Little Bear said, ‘Mother Bear, I am cold. See the snow. I want something to put on.” begins the first of many stories that teach about friendship, adventure, and a mother-child bond. Perfect for ids who are beginning to read themselves. Ethan Gilsdorf

Ever since its publication in 1963, Amelia Bedelia has been a favorite among early readers. You will laugh right along with your children as Amelia does exactly as she is told with hilarious results. Erik Wecks (Suggested by Corrina Lawson)

Ages 3+. These books tell the adventures of Emily Elizabeth and raising a pet from puppy to giant red dog. Clifford emphasizes important family values as Clifford grows, shares, and learns at his new home. Great beginning reader and bedtime story book. Michael Venables

Ages 5+. The adventures of a very curious monkey and the man in the yellow hat. Curious George models the value of exploration, intellectual daring and inquiry. Wonderful read aloud book with beautiful illustrations. Michael Venables

Ages 4+. Frog and Toad are best friends who love to share experiences. Illustrates the value of true friendship. Perfect to read aloud or for beginning reading. Michael Venables

Another Dr. Seuss milestone, Green Eggs and Ham (1960) introduces young children to the fun of word-play, silly rhymes and situations, and the power of “No.” (Parents, you know what I mean.) Interestingly, the entire book includes only 50 words — a geeky challenge from Seuss’s publisher. (The words are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be, boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, like, may, me, mouse, not, on, or, rain, Sam, say, see, so, thank, that, the, them, there, they, train, tree, try, will, with, would, you.) Ethan Gilsdorf.