Children's books

[Themis]

I'm a big fan of children's books and have rather recently bought so-called classics like "Anne of Green Gables" and the "Little Women/Little Men"-books by L.M. Alcott.
When I was a kid, I mostly read children's books in German (the authors weren't only Austrians or Germans, though; I greatly enjoyed books by Enid Blyton or Astrid Lindgren, too).

I was wondering if anyone else shared my love of children's (or young adult's) literature. Besides being quite entertaining, I find reading a children's book to be a great opportunity to improve my vocabulary.

[Helga]

as a kid I read everything by Blyton I could find and Astrid Lindgren, I read Lindgren to my boy now. I love children's literature I even took a class a few years back that was all about it. I also love The Moomins (I think that is their English name) and I read them for my boy too. I am also a big fan of fairy tales and here on the ice we have so many stories about trolls and elves and more mystical creatures I love to read about, not just for my kid.

[Buh4Bee]

I have a deep love of children's literature. If I ever write a book, it'll be young adult.

Cynthia Voigt- Dicey's Song (Newbery Medal, 1983 American Children's Literature) Great story that I still remember in the back of my mind. Dicey was a real character that I felt walked beside me when I was suffering as a pouty adolescent.

[aliengirl]

I LOVE children's literature. My favorites are The Wind in the Willow, The Prince and the Pauper, and The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. Roald Dahl's works are also a great favorite and yes, Kipling may not be admired for his racist views but The Jungle Book is one of the best books ever. Looking up at my shelf I just saw Treasure Island by R.L.Stevenson and recalled what a thrilling read it is. And last but not the least I love 'The Hobbit'.

I don't only like to read children's stuff, I also love to share them with kids. Story telling is a very fascinating activity and it helps you befriend the kids.
My five year old nephew is going to visit us soon. Any suggestion for the little fellow? I don't want him to sit before TFT screens whole day.

[MystyrMystyry]

Five years old may be difficult to please due to the attention span differential. They'd have to be short, and probably in the Grimm's/Anderson/Thousand And One Nights collections.

I've just dug up an old copy of The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper - the best in the series - and then I'll read Elidor and The Owl Service

There are quite a number - The Mouse and His Child by Russel Hoban, and Leon Garfeld's books are fun (there's one which is very much like Treasure Island, but more about the time on the ship), and one which every lover of Wind In The Willows should read: The Wild Wood by Jan Needle (it tells the story of Toad Hall from the ferret's perspective - really good!)

[Paulclem]

as a kid I read everything by Blyton I could find and Astrid Lindgren, I read Lindgren to my boy now. I love children's literature I even took a class a few years back that was all about it. I also love The Moomins (I think that is their English name) and I read them for my boy too. I am also a big fan of fairy tales and here on the ice we have so many stories about trolls and elves and more mystical creatures I love to read about, not just for my kid.

I really loved the Moomins, particularly A Comet in Moominland. The Hattifatteners had a great unspecific threat about them.

I also liked Dr Doolittle stories. Really exotic.

Winnie the Pooh stories would be good for a five year old and Paddington Bear.

I agree that there's some great kids books. I read and enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory whe I was 21. It's a pity that the neither of the films did it justice. James and the Giant Peach was a crap film of a great book. The Witches though was well done.

[Buh4Bee]

I just read the Wind in the Willows out loud to by kid and it was the best even as an adult.

[Helga]

I actually read Don Quixote for my son and he loved it. thought it was very funny.

[renukakkar2004]

Hello, I had lost the link of this site which I had joined in 2010.. Luckly, I managed to find it when I did a google search of myself :)

I have loved children's books ..was a die hard fan of Enid Blyton in school days and then Nancy Drew.. I still read my kids books when i have the time :)

I wrote a book for children called 'Granny's return from heaven as an Incredible Car' It has been published by Author House and am writing a blog about it here shortly in case anyone is interested

[TheFifthElement]

I've just dug up an old copy of The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper - the best in the series - and then I'll read Elidor and The Owl Service


Surely you meant The Grey King as the greatest of the DiRS ;)

Actually your list just sent me shivering back to my 12 year old self. I loved all of those books.

Hang on to your copy of The Dark is Rising. I intend to suggest it as the Christmas read for the Litnet book club this year. It's perfect for it. Steeped in darkness and mystery, the strange, dangerous wonder of snow, myth, legend and magic. What more could anyone ask?


I second the recommendation of Moomintrolls here. Comet in Moonimland and Finn Family Moomintroll are great reads for kids.

Did no one mention Roald Dahl? If we're talking 5 year olds then The Enormous Crocodile, or The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me are great (or the Magic Finger, or the Fantastic Mr. Fox)

[aliengirl]

Five years old may be difficult to please due to the attention span differential. They'd have to be short, and probably in the Grimm's/Anderson/Thousand And One Nights collections.


The five years old tend to ask a lot of questions too. You have to be careful not to use too many new terms which lead to many other questions. Roald Dahl is quite good for small kids and I think I might use some of Anderson's stories.

Has no one here read Ruskin Bond? His stories are mostly about childhood and coming of age. Some of my favorites are The Night Train at Deoli, The Adventures of Rusty and The Room on the Roof. He writes pretty scary ghost stories too and the wonder is that they are so short.

[Helga]

any book by Mauri Kunnas is worth getting, I had one as a kid and my son has it now, if I see anything by him in stores I buy it. Love his stories and the pictures are so great too!

[Chris 73]

For smaller kids then Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Fungus The Boogeyman by Raymond Briggs as well.

Loved The Chronicles Of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin
and The Hobbit by Tolkien. Always prefered that to Lord Of The Rings.

[Buh4Bee]

Always- Where the Wild Things Are and The Hobbit.

[wee_ragamuffin]

Where the Wild Things Are was my favourite book as a kid; still got the copy I had when I was a wee nipper. As for young-adult authors, you can't really do better than Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy; his prose is as flowing and lucid as any modern 'grown-up' writer, and his stories are incredible. I owe my love of Milton and Blake entirely to him.