Top Five Classic Children's Books

Reading has always been a favourite pastime. Remember as a child, when you were sent to your room as punishment for misbehaving? In actual fact, being cooped up for an hour or two was bliss - the perfect excuse to cosy up with your favourite book!

This brings me to today’s post. I’ve compiled a short-list of my most well-loved children’s books, the stories that   I read and re-read over and over. Everybody enjoys a hearty dose of nostalgia, right?

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Malory Towers Series - Enid Blyton

I enjoyed all of her books, The Famous Five, The Magical Faraway Tree and so forth. They were all wonderful. However, I was particularly fond of the Malory Towers Series, which follows the story of a group of girls and their six years at boarding school. As a reader, you share in their achievements, their challenges and the numerous adventures that they experience along the way.  

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

A children’s literary classic, it follows the story of a ten-year-old girl named Mary. A spoilt child, recently left orphaned after losing both her parents to illness. Mary moves to live with her uncle in a beautiful but miserable and isolated mansion in the countryside. Here, she unintentionally embarks upon a journey of discovery; both of herself and of her surroundings.

Danny the Champion of the World - Roald Dahl  

Roald Dahl is fantastic. He wrote so many wonderful children’s novels, Matilda, The Twits, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach (the list goes on) but there’s a special place in my heart for this particular story. It follows the life of young boy named Danny and the relationship he has with his father, William. Though the focus primarily revolves around their mutual love of poaching, Dahl’s true intention for this book is particularly poignant. His final message reads: “A stodgy parent is no fun at all. What a child wants and deserves is a parent who is sparky.”

Little House On The Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder

An entire series of books that follows the life and experiences of its author, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her family. From a feisty, good natured schoolgirl navigating her way through the joys and hardships of living as part of a small, tight-knit community on the prairie to a kind, wise and successful woman, overcoming whatever life may throw at her. As readers, you follow Laura’s journey every step of the way.

The Worst Witch - Jill Murphy

I absolutely loved this book series. The story focuses on adventures of Mildred Hubble and her years at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, a magical boarding school. Though she had mostly good intentions, the title is quite indicative of the experiences and predicaments that Mildred so often finds herself in. The books work so well because Jill Murphy creates characters you can relate to, characters that as a child, seem familiar.

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In all honesty, I could have sat here all day and listed off my favourite children’s books - there are just so many. Charlotte’s Web, Heidi, and anything by Beatrix Potter and Jacqueline Wilson; it’s ongoing! In many ways, the books we read as children help shape our perspective and the way in which we view the world around us. Reading is so, so important. I’d love to know the books you loved to read as a child?!

If you’ve enjoyed this short (but ever so sweet) blast from the past, you might want to check out our vintage children’s mini library: a selection of vintage classics that are now available to buy on our website!