Classic books every child should own
Take a look at the timeless children’s books you and your child will love for years to come...
By Linda Barnier
June 01 2016
What better way to revisit your childhood than to snuggle up with your little one and read them the stories you loved as a child…There are plenty of classic titles still in print – Good Night Moon (Margaret Wise Brown), Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak), Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carrol) – that have a wonderful sense of imagination and charm that still resonates with children today. Here are some old favourites, treasured by young and old...
Winnie-the-Pooh
Is there anyone who doesn’t know Winnie-the-Pooh? English author Alan Alexander (A. A.) Milne’s charming stories along with Ernest Shepard’s iconic illustrations have made Winnie-the-Pooh the world’s most famous bear. The original books, about the adventures of Pooh, Christopher Robin and all of the gang (Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo) from the Hundred Acre Wood are sweet stories best suited to four years and up. Winnie-the-Pooh was first published in 1926 and its sequel, The House At Pooh Corner followed in 1928. In the second book, Christopher Robin said goodbye to Pooh and his friends. Last year, and after an 80-year absence, the first authorised sequel, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, was released and sees Christopher return from boarding school for new Pooh adventures.
Peter Rabbit and friends
English author and illustrator Beatrix Potter has created some of the most-loved children’s book characters of our time. Her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was published in 1902. It was an instant hit and to this day Potter’s gentle stories and detailed artwork are much-read favourites. Potter went on to write and illustrate more than 23 books. Even after her death, many books have been published based on her stories, characters and artwork. The stories are a bit longer, so the target age group tends to be around three years and up. Last year, Penguin launched the Peter Rabbit… Naturally Better series that are made from recyclable, sustainable and ethically responsible sources. Titles include I Love You and Peekaboo! Peter Rabbit… Naturally Better Peekaboo!
Dr. Seuss
Theodor (Ted) Seuss Geisel, better know as the beloved Dr. Seuss, was an American writer and cartoonist. Born in the early 1900s, he started his career working on newspapers and magazines before finding fame as a children’s author. At the time of his death, in 1991, he had written and illustrated 44 children’s books, which were often characterised by imaginative characters, bold colours and wonderful rhyme and rhythm. In 2001, the US weekly trade news bible Publishers Weekly compiled a list of the best-selling children’s books of all time; of the top 100 hardcover books, 16 were written by Dr. Seuss.
Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton was one of Britain’s most treasured and prolific children’s authors. Her stories remain timeless classics, adored by generations. Her most well–known characters for littlies would be Noddy, the toy with the nodding head and his friend Big-Ears, the elf. Sure the series has attracted a bit of criticism – some called the books racist due to the Golliwog characters – nevertheless, they have sparked the imaginations of children the world over. Blyton is also known for her many, imaginative stories for slightly older Readers including The Magic Faraway Tree, the Famous Five series and the Secret Seven. Earlier this year Hardie Grant Egmont re-released a range of Blyton classics including a slipcase of three original The Magic Faraway Tree books (rrp $29.95). Enid Blyton has now become a global, licensed brand with new stories being published including new adventures for her Wishing-Chair series.
