5 Must-Read Books for Children
Today I want to list out 5 Must-Read Books for Children. Before I move on to the list I would just like to say that there is no hard and fast rule for the type of books children should be reading. As long as the book does not contain inappropriate content, you are good to go. It is important that you choose different genres and types of books for children. It is always a good idea to let your children explore the literature of varying kinds, this sparks curiosity and the will to learn more about new things. It also goes a long way in the overall development of children.
So here is a list of a few books for children that I feel will be great for beginning their literary journey:
1. The Room on the Roof – Ruskin Bond
About the book:
Rusty, a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy, is orphaned and has to live with his English guardian in the claustrophobic European part in Dehra Dun. Unhappy with the strict ways of his guardian, Rusty runs away from home to live with his Indian friends. Plunging for the first time into the dream-bright world of the bazaar, Hindu festivals and other aspects of Indian life, Rusty is enchanted and is lost forever to the prim proprieties of the European community.
I had to begin this list with Ruskin Bond. He has such a magnificent manner of weaving together a story. My summer vacations were full of his enchanting stories.
2. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
About the book:
Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into a new year and a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving. Desperate to prove his new found maturity, which only going up a grade can bring, Greg is happy to have his not-quite-so-cool sidekick, Rowley, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s popularity to his own advantage. Recorded in his diary with comic pictures and his very own words, this test of Greg and Rowley’s friendship unfolds with hilarious results.
A hilarious take on what every child goes through in school. It is a highly engaging and relatable series.
3. Grandma’s Bag of Stories – Sudha Murty
About the book:
Who can resist a good story, especially when it’s being told by Grandma? From her bag emerges tales of kings and cheats, monkeys and mice, bears and gods. Here comes the bear who ate some really bad dessert and got very angry; a lazy man who would not put out a fire till it reached his beard; a princess who got turned into an onion; a queen who discovered silk, and many more weird and wonderful people and animals.
Grandma tells the stories over long summer days and nights, as seven children enjoy life in her little town. The stories entertain, educate and provide hours of enjoyment to them. So come, why don’t you too join in the fun?
As every Indian kid knows, grand ma’s stories are the best way to step into adventures and magical kingdoms. Sudha Murty brings to us beautiful stories from her treasure of such evergreen stories.
4. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls – Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
About the book:
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is a children’s book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world. This book inspires girls with the stories of great women, from Elizabeth I to Serena Williams.
It is about time that our bedtime stories move beyond a knight in shining armors. This is a brilliant collection of women breaking barriers and fighting back.
5. The Harry Potter Series – J K Rowling
About the book:
Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the life of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry’s struggle against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as the Ministry of Magic, and subjugate all wizards and muggles, a reference term that means non-magical people.
This list would not be complete without a fantasy fiction series. It is important to introduce this genre of fiction to children at a young age. Fantasy fiction books for children help them see beyond black and white, encourage creativity, and provide a different perspective. Especially this one.
That is it on this list! I am sure there will be similar lists coming in the future. There is just something about children’s literature that fascinates me. We have already discussed why it is important for children to read, we need to to do our best to encourage the young ones to appreciate the written word.
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Happy reading!
Bookish Brat
