5 Children’s Classics I Think You Should Read

Hello everybody! Happy weekend!

Today, I’ve decided to write about my top five children’s classics that I think everybody should read. I really got into classics a year or so ago, but over the past few months I’ve barely read any, so with this post I want to spread awareness of some amazing books, and also remind myself why I love reading them.

Let’s get started!

5. Five Children and It by E. Nesbitt– I read this on my summer holidays last year (or possibly the year before) and thought it was a great adventure story not unlike ones being published now. The characters were great (especially the Psammead), and if you enjoy this I’d also recommend Kate Saunders’ Five Children on the Western Front, which explores what happens to these characters years later during World War One.

4. White Boots by Noel Streatfield- this book is just as lovely and well written as everything else I’ve read by this author, but it’s much easier to identify with this than something like Ballet Shoes, in my opinion, as it mainly deals with the complications of friendship, jealousy and rivalry, all of which are still relevant to young people now. It’s an immersive story you can truly lose yourself in, and I highly recommend fans of contemporary middle grade to seek it out.

3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett- This was sent to me as a birthday gift, and I put off reading it for ages as I thought classics would be boring. How wrong was I? I picked it up when I was off school ill, and for a few hours I wasn’t in this world suffering from a chest infection (which I’ve had a quite a few of; they’re not fun), I was in Mary Lennox’s, meeting Dickon and Colin and discovering the secret garden. It’s a magical book, despite the unusual Yorkshire dialect,  and I think every child should read it.

2. Goodnight Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian – I can’t remember how I came to buy this book, but I read it a few months ago and spent the day in tears. The characters are still with me months on, and I definitely want to reread this soon. Willie and Tom’s relationship is so special, and this book powerful and moving, that I absolutely can’t recommend it enough, though I think most children would probably find it too upsetting at a young age, so would probably be best with a parent or being a bit older if reading independently.

I couldn’t choose between these next two- so there are two books in the top spot 🌟🌟🌟

1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B White- it’s been a while since I discovered this, but I absolutely adored it. It captures the farm setting so well, and even though he’s a pig Wilbur is one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read in any book, and I genuinely can’t find words to describe how much I love it and how special this book is. It’s completely perfect for anyone who loves animals, even though the ending will probably make you cry .

1. Also perfect for animal lovers is my other favourite classic The One Hundred and One Dalmatians. I read this a few years ago when I got into Disney films, before I watched the 101 Dalmatians film, and I fell in love with this book. It’s charming and funny and clever (and Cruella de Vil is one of the most EVIL villains ever) , and it was so good that I’ve still never seen the film as I’m worried it won’t compare well.

Do you have any favourite classics you’d recommend to me? What do you think of my choices? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl

Have a great weekend!

Amy x