Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
Today’s Prompt: Books That Conjure Up Happy Memories
This may end up being mostly children’s books!
Mr. Putter & Tabby Pick the Pears || Little Miss Sunshine || The Story of Ferdinand
Let’s start with Mr. Putter. There was a winter that Wyatt and I read a Mr. Putter and Tabby book every night before bed. He would snuggle up next to me, his head on my shoulder, and I would read a new little gentle adventure before saying goodnight. These were just such sweet nights, warm and cuddly, with these happy little easy stories. The kind of memory you wish you could recapture but since it was magic you can’t necessarily capture that moment again exactly – you just need to make new magic.
Then the Mister Mister books. My cousin Brian and I used to read these together when we were little. I can still see us sat on the floor, surrounded by a slew of these books.
My parents read to me often, and my mom more than my dad, and one of my favorite books was The Story of Ferdinand. I could not get enough of this gentle bull who liked to sit and smell the flowers.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone || Charlotte’s Web || Where the Sidewalk Ends
Harry Potter of course has to be on here. It was such a phenomenon! So little story. Billy is dyslexic and never enjoyed books or reading – until he met me. When we first started dating I would read books to him all the time. Then when Harry Potter came out, I started reading it to him, and then one day I said, “Ok, your turn. If you want to know what happens next you will have to read it yourself.” And he did, and now he loves books. He still listens to books on audio more but we all know that counts!
Charlotte’s Web is another book that I read to Wyatt. It is a sad book but also beautiful. I remember I finished reading this book to him on a small vacation we took to a tiny cabin on a farm. I like to be immersed in reading when I can be lol, and apparently I am extending that to my family’s experiences. We were laying on the bed, reading the end, while it was pouring down rain onto the skylight. It was just a good moment.
I loved Where the Sidewalk Ends and all Shel Silverstein growing up! No particular memory attached, just the happiness I felt reading his poems!
Outlander || The Witches ||The Bewitching
Billy and I took a trip to Shenandoah National Park one year that was pretty amazing. We stayed in Big Meadows Lodge, and we stayed in the older part that was built by the CCC. There was no television, no AC, but I had this book. I remember just reading it after a day of hiking, before dinner and I will always associate this book with that trip.
The Bewitching is a newer memory! Last year my cousin and I went to a Sip and Read in Detroit, and this was the book I got there. We would read a little, stop and talk, then go back to our books. It was pouring rain, no one else was there, and it was a fun night. It was like the grown up version of when we would read with each other as kids!
I loved when teachers would read to us in school, and I remember my favorite elementary school teacher Miss Caruso reading our class The Witches. I would always be so happy when she would tell us to put our stuff away and she would pull the book out and start reading.
Little House in the Big Woods
Finally, the Little House series. I loved these books, and I have always loved them. No specific memories, just good feelings.
And that is it for me today! I can’t wait to see what you all have shared. I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you happy!
I loved the Little House books too! And the original TV show😁
I read them over and over as a kid. And as an adult!
My youngest was a huge fan of the Little Miss books. We used to joke that they were about her.
Here’s my TTT for the week: https://readbakecreate.com/bookish-memories-book-tag-2026-edition/
Lol!! They are such fun reads.
I adored Where the Sidewalk Ends. Thanks for stopping by earlier.
I loved those books so much!
This is so lovely. Many of your choices bring back happy childhood memories for me too.
I think that was such a great unexpected byproduct of this prompt, the memories that were sparked by other people’s books!
I have so many children’s books associated with happy memories. Especially from books read to my children.
Yes! It really struck me how many of these memories were books shared with others. 🙂
Ohhh, Little House.The source of my decades-long desire to live in a cabin in the woods with no neighbors but the deer!
Lol right? I totally agree!!
I really loved a lot of Roald Dahl’s books growing up!
I loved most of them! Lol. I loved The Witches and Matilda, but for some reason James and the Giant Peach freaked me out. LOL.
I read Little House on the Prairie this year because of the show and liked it. I also cannot remember if I read the books as a kid, but I enjoyed it as an adult. 🙂 Sometimes children’s books are the ones we have the best memories of! Thanks for visiting my list today.
I really agree with you about children’s books. I hope that my son grows up with some great bookish memories. 🙂
Great list, Erin! We loved all the Mr. Men and Little Miss books 🙂
They are so fun!
Except for the Outlander book, I’ve read every one of these, and I completely agree with you!! My third grade teacher read to us everyday, and it became one of my favorite things to do when I was teaching. Thanks for reminding me why I love reading!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I am sure your students absolutely loved it too, and count it among their memories as well!
Oh nice! I do have good memories attached to the Harry Potter books as well! And oh Shel Sliverstein! Loved those poems growing up!
Thanks for visiting my TTT!
I read those Shel Silverstein books so often. I just loved them!
Your Bewitching story sounds so lovely. What perfect weather for that book! Kind of reminds me of silent reading days. We should have that as adults too.
I agree!!! Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Using lots of children’s books seems very valid! Quite a few of mine were from when I was a kid.
I love looking back on a childhood filled with books! I think my son is going to feel the same way.
I did children’s books too. Roald Dahl should have been on my list, probably Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved Where The Sidewalk Ends too.
I saw so many on other people’s posts that sparked memories of my own. That was such a cool byproduct of this prompt!
Love your choices, Erin. Shel Silverstein and E. B. White wrote some of my favorite childhood books. The Little House series is something I didn’t appreciate until I was older. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
Thanks Cheryl! I read those poems by Shel Silverstein over and over again. I loved them.
I love your memories you associated with your books! And it’s so nice that you took the pressure off and found a way that Billy could enjoy reading too. That’s a true gift right there.
Aw thanks! I felt sort of mean but it motivated him. Lol.
One of my favorite parts of the class day, when I was an elementary school teacher, was our after lunch read aloud.
I love the story you told about your husband and books!
I hope that teachers still do that in their classrooms. I think kids do love it. And thank you!