Three to four is a good news/bad news year. The good news is that your children's growth in listening skills, language and experience make more books accessible to them than ever. The bad news is that children have also grown their own discriminating tastes. They want to have a more active part in the selection of story and may reject some of your choices. Storytelling sessions may be longer, filled with prolonged questions and explanations. Three and four year olds really bring books to life!
A child of three to four years old is ready for rich language, images and characters. Some of the most satisfying stories available are fairy tales. It is important at this point to make a distinction about fairy tales. For a child this age you want to expose them only to "first" fairy tales. These are simple narratives, full of repetition, rhyme and rhythms. Characters' motivations are clear and the plots move straight forward to a satisfying conclusions. Examples are Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Goldilocks, and The Three Little Pigs . Stay away from the more complicated tales such as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White or Hansel and Gretel. These tales are filled with complex feelings such as greed, obsession, and revenge that will confuse or may even frighten a young listener.
There are several illustrators who have done marvelous retellings and illustrations of these stories. Paul Galdone, perhaps one of the most famous re-tellers has illustrated a great many of the first fairy tales with clarity and playfulness (ex. The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Clarion, $4.95) James Marshall's retellings are humorous and witty.(ex. Red Riding Hood, Dial, $10.95) Jan Brett's illustrations of The Mitten (Putnam, $14.95) and Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Putnam, $13.95) are filled with careful detailing and warmth.
There are also numbers of fairy tale variations that children will enjoy. It is great fun to talk about differences and similarities in the two versions you present as a three to four year old will enjoy thinking and talking about the books you share. Briton Turkle's Deep in the Forest (Dutton, $3.95, $12.95) is a wordless tale where we see a young bear come into the home of a golden-haired girl and wreak havoc. Raymond Brigg's Jim and the Beanstalk (Putnam, $5.95) shows us a helpful boy who discovers an aging giant and aids him in his rejuvenation. The Giant's Toe (Farrar, $3.95,$12.95) by Brock Cole is another Jack- variation filled with humor and good fun. We can even learn the wolf's point of view in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf as told to Jon Scieszka. (Viking, $13.95)
There are numbers of story collections for children this age. These books have scattered illustrations and so help wean a child from pictures and foster their powers of imagination. This greatly confused my son when we first began. I found myself leading him through the process by having him close his eyes and visualize the pictures aloud after I read. Some of the collections I recommend are Kay Chorao's The Baby's Story Book available with a tape performed by Arlo Gutherie and also her Baby's Bedtime Book performed by Judy Collins. (both Dutton, $17.95) Other collections worth note are Tomie de Paola's Favorite Nursery Tales (Putnam, $17.95 ); The Helen Oxenbury Nursery Story Book (Knopf, $12.99 ) and Anne Rockwell's The Three Bears and Fifteen Other Stories (Harper and Row, $7.95, $13.89).
Close cousins of the fairy tale books are original tales that have become classic through generations of repeating. Much of the strength of these books is derived through their lyrical quality. In Wanda Gag's Millions of Cats (Putnam, $4.95, $7.95) the musical refrain enlivens black and white hand-lettered illustrations. It has been loved by children for over thirty years.
There is a similar successful chorus in Esphyr Slobodkina's Caps for Sale, a book that has endured for over fifty years . A peddler walks along calling "Caps for Sale" and the memory echos comfortably in one's ear if one grew up on this tale. Playful monkeys steal the cap of the sleeping peddler and then imitate his actions and mock him with their "Tsz, Tsz, Tsz". This will make children laugh for generations to come. Ages 3-5. (Harper and Row, 10.95, $2.95)
Reteller Arlene Mosel created a classic tale in Tikki, Tikki, Tembo . It is, on the surface, the story of why the Chinese name their children short names. There are also subtle subplots of sibling preference, sibling caring and of course, Tikki's lovely long name. Don't be surprised if your children begin repeating it after only one or two hearings. (Holt Rinehart and Winston, $5.95, $14.95).
William Steig is a fablist for our time. His animal tales show us ourselves in a very special way. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Simon and Schuster, $6.95, $12.95) reveals strong family intimacy that triumphs over magic. In Dr. Desoto we see a dentist mouse whose kind heart leads into trouble that his cleverness gets him out of. Drama and humor in text and illustration ensure that these books will last forever. (Farrar, $13.95)
Another fablist is Leo Lioni, his books carry great wisdom and lessons that are meaningful for children. They are written in a way that avoids moralizing and nourishes enjoyment. Swimmy, (Knopf, $2.95, $11.99) for example is the story of a small creative fish that teaches his peers to unite and protect themselves in the face of danger. Other titles your child will enjoy are: Frederick (Knopf, $2.95, $12.99) and Fish is Fish (Knopf, $2.95, $12.99)
One of the self-proclaimed tasks of the three to four year old is to discern what is real and what is not. My three-year-old often questions me about "real or pretend" in books, statements, and life. One of the first ways a parent may see this struggle symbolized is in a child's wondering about monsters. Many children this age are secure enough to let make-believe into their books. Others are not. You should trust your instincts about whether your child is ready for monster books. If a book is unsuccessful, you should stop the reading and put it away for a time.
Maurice Sendak changed children's books forever with his publication of Where the Wild Things Are. Monsters had always been taboo, a threat to children until the lumbering friendly wild things were tamed by the rebellious Max. This is a freewheeling fantasy that works because it is built into a secure framework that dares to confront the defiant feelings of a child honestly. Text and illustration blend and weave and enchant until we enter Max's world. (Harper and Row, $4.95, $12.95)
You will find most children's books show the child protagonist as a conqueror. Small children locked in little bodies enjoy seeing their own powerlessness vanquished through the actions of heros and heroines in books. When Harry directly combats the "double-headed, three-clawed, six-toed, long-horned whatzit" in Dick Gackenbach's Harry and the Terrible Whatzit. , he defeats his own fear of confronting as well. Gackenbach's illustrations, situations and solutions give the small listening child humor to get them through the scary parts. (Clarion,$4.95, $12.95)
Many beast seem to bother children at night. There are numbers of books that fight these fears. Both Clyde Monster by Robert Crowe (Dutton, $3.95, $11.95) and The Monster Bed (Lothrop, $12.95) by Jeanne Willis tell stories of monsters that are afraid of humans. John Troy McQueen explores the prejudice against monsters in A World Full of Monsters. (Crowell, $3.95, $12.89).
Sometimes monsters grow within us. Seeing my children get trapped in their own monstrous behavior and seeing how my not paying attention added to it, helped me to create Extraordinary Chester. (Red Hen, $6.95, $14.95)
A young child very often feels unheard. Many books that have themes that touch this feeling in children. Harve and Margot Zemach's The Judge : An Untrue Tale is an original tale that tells of the approach of a beast in additive rhyme. The cumulative effect is lyrical, dramatic and the ending is satisfying as the unbelieving judge is swallowed by the monster in a wordless climax. (Farrar, $4.95, $14.95)
Albert's Toothache by Barbara Williams tells the story of a small toothless turtle who drives his family to distraction with his complaints of a toothache. Albert almost more upset by not being believed than by the pain he's experiencing. It takes a listening grandmother to learn that Albert's toothache is in his toe where he's been bitten. Dialogue and situations are very family-real and Kay Chorao's illustrations add an extra dimension of warmth to the story. (Dutton,$3.95, $11.95)
Almost every adult seeing Ruth Krauss' The Carrot Seed is shocked that this book is so adored by children. Words and illustrations are simple. Its power is in the main character's faith that reaches from the covers of this small book to touch the heart of every child who has heard it since its publication in 1945. (Harper and Row, $3.95, $10.89)
One of the books most representative of a child's imagination is Mary Ann Hoberman's A House is a House for Me. As the child thinks about every thing in terms of homes the rhythm grows as rocking and ridiculous as the text. The ending has lovely bit of truth reminding us that the "earth is a home to us all." (Penguin, $3.95, $13.95)
Alice's Blue Cloth by Deborah van der Beek tells of the excitement a blue cloth can add to a young child's life. Imagination, feelings and a child's viewpoint are strong in this tale. (Putnam, $11.95)
Though a three to four year old is ready in many ways to venture into the land of make-believe, a child this age likes the balance of the familiar. A wonderful sense of security comes for most children when they read about family. They look tender homes and families who face situations that are recognizable to them. Shirley Hughes gives us just such books in her Alfie series. This writer-illustrator endeared herself to me when she revealed a busy, messy home where the baby cries and the mother wears jeans. Alfie is just as meaningful a character to the three and four year olds. His quandaries are those they face in their own lives. In Alfie Gets in First (Lothrop, $3.95, $12.95), he locks himself and the key on one side of a door and his mother and screaming sister on the other. Hughes' final triumph is that it is Alfie who finally resolves the situation. He does the same by facing his own fear at a birthday party in Alfie Gives a Hand as he comforts another child who seems even more afraid than he is. (Lothrop, $3.95, $12.95)
When discordant days occur, a reading of The Little Brute Family can be very soothing. The Brutes are rude and unkind until they discover a lost good feeling and it changes their lives. Discussion of the Brute way of life may open paths for changing the tone in your home. (Macmillan, Avon)
Another rough-day book is Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. In it a little boy is run ragged by a mouse who demands one thing and that one thing leads to another. Besides putting a parental role in child terms, it has a wonderful rhythm and Felicia Bond's illustrations accent the glamor of the little mouse world and they boy's caring for his mouse friend. (Harper and Row, $9.95, Scholastic, $2.50)
First friendships often form in the year from three to four. This is the time when a child discovers there are relationships beyond already established familial bonds. Jake and Rosie live next door to each other and they are best friends. The do everything together, even have chicken pox! They decided they will be twins and see the only problem as having different colored sneakers. Here the pictures by author- illustrator Patricia Lillie add an another dimension because she portrays these friends as very different looking. This is definitely a story of friendship written through a child's perspective. (Greenwillow, $11.95)
Friendship's trials are often revealed in children's books. In The Hating Book by Charlotte Zolotow, a little girl hates her best friend whom she believes is treating her badly. When all is sorted it out it turns out to be simply a case miscommunication. I was upset at first by the use of the word hate, but Charlotte Zolotow knows the mind of a child for my daughter was struck by the depth of the emotion and its appropriate expression. (Harper and Row, $3.95, $11.70)
A three to four year old is often re-visited by fears of things that go bump in the night. There are many books that deal with night time apprehensions. What is important is that you pay attention to your child's attitudes.
My daughter loves Knock, Knock! Who's There? by Sally Grindley with marvelous illustrations by Anthony Browne. In it a father plays at being a variety of ghoulies and the little girl pretends to be afraid. The clue is that the monster always wears her daddy's bedroom slippers. This book invites participation and a three to four year old can join in the fun and dispel fears at the same time. (Knopf, $7.95 )
It may be however, that this rollicking approach is threatening to your child. In this case, you want a gentle night time book. Author-illustrator Denys Cazet has produced a soothing goodnight saga in Mother Night. A series of animal parents bed down their babies with a range of warm goodnight and good morning rituals. Cazet fills text and illustrations with calming, lyrical images and poetic reassurances. (Orchard, $14.95)
Three to four is kind of a coming of age in listening to books. A parent's most important role is to be constantly aware of the child's experience during reading. Watchful parents will see when a book needs to be discussed, edited, put away for a time, or if the child-parent enjoyment is a pure joy!