Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Classic Books Every Parent Should Read To Their Young Child

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies at The Broke and The Bookish who this week asked us to name our "Top Ten Books Every____ Should Read." I've chosen to expand on that idea a bit and also to explain why I've chosen each of the classic books on the list.

1. Harold And The Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson // Why? Because it encourages creativity, thinking outside the box, and problem solving.
2. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything by Linda Williams // Why? Because it teaches bravery, standing up for yourself, and it's a book that encourages interactive action.
3. Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak // Why? Because it's probably the first time your child will really understand that you will love them even if they do something bad and that they always have a home to come home to, no matter how far they roam.
4. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf // Why? Because it teaches children that you don't have to fight and that you should be true to your own characters. Also, because Hitler and Franco hated it and Mahatma Gandhi said it was his favorite children's book.
5. Yertle The Turtle and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss // Why? Because, in it's titular story,  it teaches children that even the smallest of us should stand up for him/herself against those that would abuse them ("And turtles, of course ... all the turtles are free / As turtles, and maybe, all creatures should be."). In "Gertrude McFuzz, Seuss teaches children to be happy with what they have and not be envious of others and in "The Big Brag" he teaches them, obviously, not to brag. 
6. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper // Why? Because it teaches children that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
7. Winnie The Pooh by A. A. Milne // Why? Don't just watch the movies and television shows, actually read the books. They teach children about friendship and that everyone has something to offer.
8. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton // Why? Because it teaches children about surviving change and finding your own place.
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle // Why? Because it teaches numbers, days of the week, and how things can grow and change. Plus, the artwork is so eye catching. 
10. Little Golden Books: The Little Red Hen // Why? Because it teaches children about teamwork...in a roundabout way!

What books would you add to this list?