OT: Children's books that adults enjoy too
Reading with my daughter is one of the most enjoyable parts of parenthood. We have been working hard together reading the classics like Winnie the Pooh, The Wizard of Oz and Dr. Seuss. I have now relived a lot of childhood memories and created new memories for the kiddo to share in the future.
But I'm running out of friggin' material. Going on a beer book run soon!
What are some of your books from your childhood that you would read or have read to your children?
I ask you guys and gals because we share common interests and humor. Also, there are just so many different people on the blog. I'm sure there are tons of books out there that you have read and enjoyed as a child that I haven't. Kid's love books and I have been a happier person since I have been reading children's literature again. Thanks for any recommendations!
Some carpenters can read, but only if the words are short enough and there are pictures.
August 2nd, 2015 at 10:19 PM ^
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are the "Black Cauldron" series by Lloyd Alexander. Excellent youth fantasy series, with Newbury Award winners scattered throughout:
The Book of Three
The Black Cauldron
The Castle of Lyr
Taran Wanderer
The High King
And if they like fantasy (it becomes more science-fictiony as it goes), you could do a lot worse than The Dragonriders of Pern and the associated Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey. If you like those, there are many more in the series.
Of course, it really depends on what they like and the level at which they like to read - my seven-year-old reads a lot and at a high level, but doesn't like scary stuff as much, so Harry Potter won't resonate with him yet.
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August 2nd, 2015 at 10:40 PM ^
Another author I loved was/is Jolly Roger Bradfield. My favorite was "Giants Come in Different Sizes." My husband also read these books as a child and his favorite was "The Flying Hockey Stick." My kids loved them, too. You can find them on Amazon. Great illustrations and imaginative, whimisical stories. I don't know how old your daughter is; these are for kids up to age 7 or 8, though you would like the stories as an adult.
August 2nd, 2015 at 11:13 PM ^
But I'm a big Neil Gaiman fan, he has a couple kids books that he markets as also being for adults. Coraline and The Graveyard Book
August 2nd, 2015 at 11:18 PM ^
August 2nd, 2015 at 11:32 PM ^
and all the other books by the same team (
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August 2nd, 2015 at 11:51 PM ^
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August 2nd, 2015 at 11:53 PM ^
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The Little Prince is an amazing book
Fun quick reads with lots of books in both series. My kids loved both. Cynthia Rylant is the author for Poppleton, Gertrude Chandler Warner for Boxcar Children.
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August 3rd, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
Like Matilda, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Also, Where the Wild Things Are, because the artwork is awesome
August 3rd, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
The answer to the OP's question depends a lot on how old the child in question is... anyway, some great suggestions above. I've got a 9-year-old and an 8-year-old who are both voracious readers (and an 18-month-old who's just now getting into books); here are some books we've enjoyed in our family (our taste tends to run toward older books):
* The Frog & Toad series by Arnold Lobel, mentioned above by a couple folks, are terrific short little stories for kids who are just beginning to read, and have a wry sense of humor that even adults can enjoy.
*Margaret Wise Brown's another wonderful author for very young children -- The Big Red Barn, Goodnight Moon, and so many more.
* Richard Scarry. Need I say more?
* All the old Little Golden Books -- still great.
* Everyone here with kids has probably overdosed on Thomas the Tank Engine, but I'll still put in a good word for the original stories by the Rev. W. Awdry. Can't vouch for any new stories that've been written after the films were made and the whole Thomas marketing machine grew up.
* I'm shocked no one above has mentioned E.B. White. C'mon, people! Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little -- two of the best children's books ever!
* Tomie DePaola's books are wonderfully illustrated and enjoyable reads. If you're Christian/Catholic, you'll enjoy his substantial output of books featuring religious/holiday stories.
* My kids are mystery buffs so they've loved the old Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books -- nothing profound there but still fun to read.
*Someone above mentioned Robert McCloskey, another great one -- particularly wonderful illustrations. Make Way for Ducklings, Time of Wonder, Centerburg Tales (Homer Price)
* Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig -- very funny illustrations and a touching story.
* Some stuff to show your kids how life was for kids before smartphones and TV and air conditioning -- Ralph Moody for boys, Laura Ingalls Wilder for girls.
So many more good ones, including many already mentioned by others above. Thanks to the OP for posting this question and bringing back many fond memories...
August 3rd, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned. Something for her and something for you.
I guess you could add Peanuts as well.
August 3rd, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
For toddlers / young children:
"Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak
anything by Sandra Boynton
For preschoolers / kindergartners:
The "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" series by Betty MacDonald
"Captain Underpants" series by Dav Pilkey
I consider the book "Alice In Wonderland" to be one of the best books. This is a wonderful book that I would love to read to my children. And I learned about it by accident when I was reading essays at https://studydriver.com/alice-in-wonderland/ and came across essays about this book. Then I became interested in it and I decided to read it.
This is a book I recommend to everyone. And if you are not sure that it will be interesting for you, you can read essays about it first. It will definitely help you.