Good children’s stories are the jewels of a book collection. You know the ones — the worn-out volumes that are tucked in your attic, the ones your mom would read aloud over lunch while your seven-year-old self ate cookies and milk, the treasured books you would read on your tree fort’s hammock on summer afternoons.
These are, in many ways, the most important stories, because they shape us and our growing imaginations. This week, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite read-aloud children’s books of all time (listed in no particular order) …
“Wind in the Willows” | Kenneth Grahame (1908)
This beloved book follows the many adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger and company. This combines witty humor and daring adventures, eloquent writing and mystical tales. It’s more of a collection of short stories than anything else, which make it perfect for reading aloud; features a mysterious wild wood, a warm and cozy homecoming Christmas feast, an out-of-control automobile-obsessed toad, and a quest to reclaim a home from the dreadful weasels and stoats.
“The Complete Beatrix Potter Collection” Beatrix Potter (1902-22)
My mom always put on the short film editions of these stories when I was sick or just tuckered-out from swim lessons. For that reason, I have always vaguely associated them with comfort. The tiny little books remind me of pleasant afternoons, and furthermore, they inspire me to watercolor. Like many children’s stories, this book is a compilation of short stories about a plethora of talking animals (mice, rabbits, squirrels, pigs, and kittens, to name a few), including the dearly loved Tale of Peter Rabbit. If you want to know more about the life of Beatrix Potter herself, there is a wonderful movie called Miss Potter that I would highly recommend.
“The Complete Brambly Hedge” | Jill Barklem (1980)
While we’re on the subject of talking animals in pastoral settings, how could we not mention Brambly Hedge?! This book, which narrate the tales of a hamlet of mice, was meant to be flipped through and savored, allowing long moments in quiet to soak up every detail of these exquisite illustrations. They are arranged around each season, so there are stories for any mood.
“Winnie the Pooh” | A.A. Milne (1926)
This list would not be complete without a nod towards the well-loved tale of the Hundred Acre Wood, a fictional place based on Ashdown Forest in England. I confess: Pooh was a longtime childhood obsession. The only thing that is possibly more nostalgic than a Sunday afternoon watching Winnie the Pooh cartoons is a lazy afternoon spent flipping through this charming story, which manages to be simple and profound all at once, like all the best children’s books are. Do yourself a favor and sweeten your tea with “hunny” in honor of the occasion.
“The Velveteen Rabbit” | Margery Williams (1922)
When you’re a kid, this is a good story. When you’re older, this is a great story. The titular stuffed velveteen rabbit is gifted to a young boy, and over the course of the story, the stuffed rabbit becomes the boy’s dearest companion. Everyone experiences a time when their stuffed animals are Real and their imaginations run wild with strange and wonderful things, and this story brings those memories back with heartwarming nostalgia.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” | Roald Dahl (1964)
The young Charlie Bucket, who comes from an extremely poor family, miraculously finds a golden ticket in his chocolate bar that allows him to join four other children on a tour of Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. Not only is this story deliciously creative, there is also something fantastic about exploring a legendary chocolate factory and all its secrets that I always liked.
“Charlotte’s Web” | E.B. White (1952)
If you thought that a friendship between a bear and a pig was likely (I’m looking at you, Winnie the Pooh), then a friendship between a pig and a spider shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Charlotte’s Web is a wonderful story about a pig named Wilbur, who befriends a barn spider, Charlotte. Since he is intended for slaughter, she weaves messages into her webs that astonish the farmer and make Wilbur into something of a local celebrity.
“A Little Princess” | Frances Hodgson Burnett (1905)
This story always reminded me a little bit of a youngster version of a Charles Dickens novel. The heroine, Sara Crewe, attends a boarding school and, despite her wealth and privilege, befriends several outcasts. I shan’t spoil too much, but the story focuses on how imagination can transform our daily lives into something magical.
“The Tale of Desperaeux” | Kate DiCamillo (2003)
Do not judge the book by the movie. Alright, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s go on to discuss the countless merits of this delightful little book. In a kingdom where soups and spoons are forbidden (for reasons that are later disclosed to the reader), this story follows four central characters (whose paths will eventually converge) and centers on Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who dreams of becoming a knight. This story is intriguing and enjoyable for any age, but it’s especially fun as a family read-aloud.
“Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” | Robert C. O’Brien (1971)
In writing this, I am noticing the especial attention paid to talking animals. This appears to be a trend. It will come as no surprise to you, then, that the final book on this list is one that my mom read aloud to my family one summer, a story which features … you guessed it, talking animals. Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, is forced to seek the help of the mysterious Rats of NIMH and learns the secrets. And remember how I said not to judge the book by the movie? This is another one of those cases.
Alright friends, I hope you found some new treasures and remembered some old ones. I am certainly feeling inspired to dig out my old favorite children’s stories from the back of my bookshelf and dust them off for a good read. May children’s stories always have a special place in our hearts!
<3 Olivia Grace
