Episode 88: Children's Books We've Loved and Loathed

What's your very favorite children's book? The one you read to your kid until it disintegrated? The one that got your child hooked on reading? The one you dug way more than your kid? We compared notes on kid-lit we've loved and loathed, finding many beloved books in common and agreeing to disagree (maybe) on whether the Magic Tree House books are sufficiently annoying to be ban-worthy.

Next, we considered the books that don't exist that we'd love to see -- and particularly the ones we figure we've got it in us to write. If you've ever wanted a children's book about room-cleaning, ideas of things to do while waiting in your car, or a guide to reassure you that you haven't really messed your kid up that badly, just help us find a publisher.

Finally, we shared our recommendations for the week: Amanda suggested we check out the Banned Books Week website, and while you're there, Catherine said to check out The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks; Nicole liked Time magazine's list of the 100 Best Children's Books of All Time; and Terri offered a list of 20 Things I Learned from Reading Children’s Fiction.

Thanks as always to Jon Morin for producing our episodes and Kristin Eredics for our happy in-and-out music.