10 Books You Mustn’t Leave Childhood Without Reading

Oh, the joy and pleasure of a great children’s book! There is something so special about the books you read as a child. They often have a far greater impact on us than the books we read at any other stage of life. From enchanting picture books to cherished novels, from long ago to recent times, here is my pick of the time honored tales that have captured children’s hearts decade after decade.

 Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

What can be more exciting for a child than a tour of a chocolate factory? But imagine a chocolate factory that is staffed by Oompa Loompas, has rivers of chocolate, crazy inventing rooms, experimental chewing gum, squirrels working in a nut room, and is overseen by the zany Willy Wonka. Little Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa have the experience of a lifetime at Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

Quote: “Whipped cream isn’t whipped cream at all if it hasn’t been whipped with whips, just like poached eggs isn’t poached eggs unless it’s been stolen in the dead of the night.”

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

“Where’s Papa going with that Ax?” is one of the most famous opening lines of any novel. Here it introduces us to Fern, a little girl who lives on a farm and takes a small pig, the runt of the litter, under her wing. We fall in love with Wilbur the pig, and his dear friend Charlotte, a kind and clever spider. Immersed in the gentle rhythm of farm life, the beauty of the changing seasons, and daily miracles of life and death. Accompanied by exquisite black and white drawings by Garth Williams, Charlottes Web has rightfully earned its place as one of the most beloved children’s stories of all time.

Quote: “Why did you do all this for me?” he asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’

You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.”

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

When Beatrix Potter first jotted down the story of Peter Rabbit, expanded from a letter she wrote to the 5 year old son of her former governess, I bet she never imagined her mischievous little rabbit would strike such a chord with readers and still be as popular today as it was more than 100 years ago.

Quote: “Don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

For good reason this is often referred to as the perfect picture book. Rich with symbolism, and ripe with deeper meaning, it is the story of a boy who has a tantrum and escapes into his imagination. Feeling liberated, he visits his ‘wild’ side, only to return home to his belief in parental love, and a supper ‘still hot’. All children feel a rush of emotions sometimes, and here we see how Max balances his feelings of anger, fear and comfort.

Quote: “And Max, the king of all wild things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.”

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

This is the most recent book on the list and already a modern classic. This is the exquisite story of a boy, a penguin and their friendship. It shows how we can all feel lonely at times, and the redeeming joy of a true friend. In 2008 it was made into a superb BAFTA winning short film – whose music never fails to melt my heart every time I hear it.

Quote: “Then the boy realized, the penguin wasn’t lost, he was just lonely.”

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

There is so much to love about this classic tale of moral growth and friendship. When you read The Wind in the Willows as a child, its characters and their English river life, will stay in the hearts of readers well into adulthood. You will always remember Mole, Ratty, wise Badger and the pompous and ridiculous Toad with affection.

Quote: “After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.”

Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson

This is the original swashbuckling pirate story that started it all. Featuring cryptic clues, X marks the spot, treasure maps and tropical islands, it’s an exciting race to get to the treasure before the evil Long John Silver. This adventure novel has it all and is one of the most dramatized stories of all time.

Quote: “Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It’s the glory of the sea that has turned my head.”

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

The bear of Very Little Brain and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have charmed and delighted generations of children the world over. Pooh’s simplicity and observations are surprisingly profound and when coupled with EH Shepard’s original line drawings, it makes for a delightful and beautiful reading experience.

Quote:  “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling

Also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, this is the first story in the boy wizard series that took the world by storm. In this book Harry finds out that he is really a wizard, takes an exciting train journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, meets his best friends for life, and battles arch-nemesis Lord Voldemort. Thrilling stuff! Thank you J.K. Rowling for making reading cool again.

Quote: “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

This is a touching story about a Mother and her son over the course of the boy’s life. Poignant, sweet, funny and achingly beautiful – this is an affirmation of a parent’s love for their child, an undying love, generation after generation. It will bring tears to the eyes of anyone who has ever loved a child.

Quote: “I’ll love you forever,
 I’ll like you for always,
 as long as I’m living,
 my baby you’ll be.”

What is your favorite book from childhood?