10 Classic Children’s Books

We all have books from our childhood that we remember with a sweet fondness. If you are a parent you probably have a small library of books that you want to read and share with your children and many of those books most likely are found on this list. This top 10 list of books for children includes many classics you have heard of, but may not be our your bookshelves at home. Give them a look and perhaps your children can enjoy them next time you read a bedtime story or when you give them a book to read on their own.

The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

This story about a garden that transforms the lives of a group of children was serialized and then published as a whole in 1911. Orphaned Mary Lennox, a sickly child, is sent to live in England following her upbringing in India. At the house of her guardian Uncle, Mary discovers a neglected walled garden that no one is allowed to enter. Mary resolves to restore the garden with the help of her new companion, Dickon. Mary’s guardian’s son, Colin, another sickly and spoiled child, is also in on the secret. As the garden blossoms once more, the characters hope to physically and emotionally heal themselves. Burnett’s most acclaimed book was only popular after her death.

The Little Prince

By Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Many adults have discovered this book and been inspired by its observations on the values of the adult world. The author, a French aviator, also drew the illustrations. The story is of a pilot stranded in the desert, an event that actually happened to Saint-Exupery, and his meeting a small boy from a tiny asteroid. The Little Prince, as he is known, has been visiting other worlds including Earth and tells the pilot of his adventures and how his encounters with adults have formed his philosophy. Readers of different ages appreciate the story on different levels. Following its publication in 1943, Saint-Exupery disappeared over the Mediterranean on a wartime mission in 1944.

Grimms Fairy Tales

Collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Some of the most famous fairy tales in the world are in this collection. The tales, originating from Germany and elsewhere, were published in 1812. This book is the perfect introduction to children’s literature and an entertaining source for bedtime stories. The tales include Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the Elves and the Shoemaker, and Sleeping Beauty. Many families come across the stories for the first time as movie adaptations.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

By Roald Dahl

Best selling children’s author, Dahl, brought his love of chocolate to this fantasy tale, published in 1964. It tells the story of Willy Wonka, eccentric owner of a chocolate factory and Charlie Bucket, the boy from a poor family. Charlie and four other children win a competition to tour the factory. As the only child to behave well on the tour, Charlie receives another reward that is beyond his wildest dreams. The morality tale was illustrated by long time collaborator Quentin Blake (from 1998 edition). A film adaptation came out in 1971 starring Gene Wilder and a second one was released in 2005 with Johnny Depp. Dahl also wrote James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Matilda, and The Twits.

The Hobbit

By J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien’s imagination, inspired by his knowledge of ancient languages and folk tales, has enthralled children and adults since The Hobbit’s publication in 1937. We are introduced to some of the characters that were to feature in the epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. Home-loving hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, is persuaded to go on a treasure hunt with Gandalf the wizard and a group of dwarves. Their adventures lead to encounters with Smaug the dragon, giant spiders, trolls, and goblins. Bilbo also gets acquainted with a creature called Gollum and a certain ring.

The Winnie the Pooh Stories

By A.A.Milne

Winnie the Pooh and his friends have delighted each generation since the author was inspired to write characters based on his son, Christopher Robin, and his son’s toys. The first stories appeared in Winnie the Pooh (1926) and then in The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Earlier, Pooh Bear was the subject of a poem in Milne’s collection of verses, When We Were Very Young (1924) and in more poems in Now We Are Six (1927). Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their companions, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, and Owl etc. had various adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, illustrated by the celebrated artist, E.H.Shepard. Walt Disney brought the characters to the screen in a successful franchise.

Peter Pan

By J.M. Barri

Peter Pan evolved as a novel, published in 1911, from Barrie’s stage play. The boy who wouldn’t grow up has become a symbol of childhood. His adventures as the leader of The Lost Boys gang in Neverland lead him to escapades with Indians and pirates, his most dangerous enemy being Captain Hook. The Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael are plunged into this amazing world. There have been several adaptations of the story, most notably the Walt Disney animation in 1953.

The Wind in the Willows

By Kenneth Grahame

Grahame paints a reassuring world of comradeship, rural life, and “messing about on boats”. First published in 1908, the story of Mole, Ratty, Mr. Toad, and Mr. Badger has been adapted many times, on stage, and in film and TV. The rural idyll and everyday routine is interrupted by Toad’s escapades. One of the great characters of children’s literature, Toad is a lovable rogue but his conceit and restless nature leads him into trouble, requiring his friends to rescue him.

Alice in Wonderland

By Lewis Carroll

This tale is one of the most surreal and bizarre to enter the children’s literature canon. It began as a story to entertain three young sisters. Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (who published under the name, Lewis Carroll) invented the characters for the daughters of one of his friends. The book was published in 1865 and a sequel, Through the Looking-Glass came out in 1871. John Tenniel was the original illustrator and Arthur Rackham illustrated later editions. The characters of the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Queen of Hearts have entered popular culture.

The Harry Potter Series

By J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the USA), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

No one could have predicted the global sensation that these books would cause. The sales figures for the series in June, 2008 was over 400 million copies sold and the novels have been translated into 67 languages, including Latin and Ancient Greek. The first book appeared in 1997, introducing us to the inner world of wizards and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The movie adaptations successfully interpreted the stories for the screen. Children and adults delight in the complex plot and well-drawn characters and can relate to Harry, who faces the usual problems of growing up in addition to facing an evil foe.