Books - follow up

I thought I would write a little follow up to my used books post.  All of my books have arrived now.  They all arrived separately (since I ordered them from different locations), each in a simple, non padded envelope.  All of the books were supposed to be in "very good" condition.  I was happy with 3 out of 4.  Sadly, my Winnie-the-Pooh book was in rougher shape and probably should have been classified as "good" (binding starting to crack, a page with a large tear).  But, I really can't complain considering how little I paid.  The kids would get so excited every time a new book arrived in the mail.  We have really enjoyed reading them together.  Reading aloud to them is a major goal of mine this school year... especially reading quality stories and poems with rich vocabulary.  A couple of the books I ordered are over M's head, but L eats them up.  She will often narrate her own play during the day, using fancy (some made up) language.  Both kids also enjoy acting out stories, using costumes and props, as I read them aloud.  I love it!

I also wanted to mention a fourth book that I ordered.  My first Mother Goose book arrived (Sylvia Long's), and I was a little disappointed.  The condition was very good, but I didn't love the content.  Many of the rhymes were incomplete, and the character illustrations were strictly animals (no people).  Now, my kids are avid Mother Goose fans, and we have read many different versions from the library.  They enjoyed the Sylvia Long version as well as any other, but I wanted better.  I did a little more research and ordered this book.  I have to say, it is the best Mother Goose book I have seen yet!  It has 125 rhymes, all quite complete and with no politically correct changes.  The pictures are really charming, too.  There is at least a small picture for every rhyme, and some are full page.  It alternates between full color and black and white illustrations.  It doesn't hold M's attention quite as well as some other versions with larger pictures, but he will still sit and listen for awhile.

What are some of your favorite children's books?  I am always on the hunt.