I have read way too many picture books and children’s books as an adult that I truly enjoyed. So there are many books a younger me would have loved!! Limiting this list to just 10 for today’s top ten over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl was nigh impossible but here it is. I tried to stick to those books that were already published when I was much much younger (to give you an idea, Harry Potter was published when I was in my early 20s!)
Somehow, I never got a chance to read these as well growing up in India. I read Enid Blytons, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy series, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Poe, Oscar Wilde, and so much more. But I don’t recall seeing these as a little girl (though I might have seen a few when I was in already in college).
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr.Seuss (along with many other books by him)
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I have said it all here, like so many others have about this bok
The Phantom Tollbooth
I am guessing I read The Phantom Tollbooth because my son was reading it. And I am glad I did!
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Where the Sidewalk Ends had to be added here as well (along with Light in the Attic)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables. TBH, I don’t recall when I first read this series, but on the other hand, I do not have any childhood memories of reading this as well. If there were any, I most likely imagined those realities for myself!!
The Chronicles of Narnia
Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. I read this for the first time for my kiddos when they were little ones.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings. I think I watched at least one of the movies before I read this.
The Hundred Dresses
The Hundred Dresses (and a few other books that were required reading for my kids in elementary school, like Dear Mr. Henshaw and The Witch of Blackbird Pond) were books I know I would have loved reading when I was that young…
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, what are your favorite books written for younger audiences that you wish you had read when you were that age (assuming you did not read those then, for whatever reason)
Great list, I’d add A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. This was my granddaughter’s favorite book when she was in 2nd grade and she still has the copy her teacher gave her over 17 years ago.
What a great list.
My post .
Great list! I soo want to read Anne of Green Gables and The Lord of the Rings. They have been sitting on my TBR for way too long. Here’s my TTT
Amazing list! I still haven’t read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, even though I’ve been wanting to read it for years! I really need to tick it off my list 🙂
I read the Narnia books as a child but didn’t discover Lord of Rings until a college roommate introduced me to them.
What a great selection. I love Roald Dahls books. I think I nearly have all his work.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorites. I’ve been slowly collecting Roald Dahl books for my kids 🙂