05/25/2026
In celebration of the completion of our Children’s Room renovation, we have asked our Cary Library staff to share with us their favorite children’s books, either from their own childhoods or more recent favorites.
Erin’s first choice for favorite children’s book is "Catherine Called Birdy" by Karen Cushman. "Catherine is a headstrong teenager – in 1290 – who’s doing whatever she can to fend off the awful suitors her dad wants her to marry. She tells the story through her diary entries, which is a style of fiction I love to read. She’s hysterical (one of her more creative swears is 'God’s Thumbs!'), sarcastic, and clever – a great combination that makes her one of my favorite protagonists in children’s chapter books."
Another favorite is "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" by Al Perkins, illustrated by Eric Gurney. "I loved this book as a kid and had even more fun reading it to my nephews and my own kids. Monkeys with 70s sideburns, drumming (and strumming and fiddling) and rhyming and generally creating chaos – what’s not to love?"
Erin also loves the book "But Not the Hippopotamus" by Sandra Boynton. "I adore everything Sandra Boynton does but this is my favorite book of hers. The animals are adorably crazy and very often over-excited (she uses a lot of exclamation marks in her books). The story is funny but meaningful (it’s about being brave, being inclusive and being a good friend). And her rhymes are deceptively simple but so clever. It’s also a really fun book to read with a kid because they can do the 'punchline' every few pages."
