This post has been a looooooong time coming. It’s actually a follow up to a post in which I wrote about my daughter’s top ten favourite books. The ones that (I think) inspired her avid love of reading. After writing about Flora’s choices, I thought it would be fun to share my own top ten favourite childhood books as well. Originally written as a guest post, which is no longer live, I wanted to update and repost it on my own blog. But life happens, seasons change, seas run dry, and here we are, some 3½ years on from the original post! Regular readers will spot my beloved old boy, Jester, posing in some of the pictures 🙂
Favourite childhood books that I loved as a child
I should say that my choices may not resonate with every adult and child. While some of them are among the best selling children’s books of all time, others would struggle to make it onto a children’s books list today. Indeed, Flora would think I had gone mad if I tried to get her to read The Famous Five. James and the Giant Peach on the other hand, as with all Roald Dahl books for children, she has read repeatedly and with great enjoyment. Anyway, here are 10 of the best children’s chapter books from my childhood.
1. Black Beauty – Anna Sewell *
There can’t be many people of my age (!) who don’t know the story of the black horse and his adventures. Written from Beauty’s perspective, the novel covers Victorian England from the upper classes down to the knacker’s yard. It’s a very cleverly written and accessible tale about having consideration for others, and animals in particular. And I absolutely LOVED Ginger, a feisty mare who didn’t suffer fools gladly.
2. Watership Down – Richard Adams *
A band of rabbits leave their warren in search of a safe new home and encounter all sorts of dangers along the way. Each rabbit has their own personality and Adams also created a beautiful accompanying rabbit mythology, and a really cool seagull. It’s been described as a WW2 analogy but I think there’s so much more to the book than that. I re-read it recently and loved it all over again – do give it a go if you’ve only ever seen the animated film, you won’t be disappointed.
3. Finn Family Moomintroll – Tove Jansson *
The tales of Moomintroll, Sniff, the Snork Maiden, the Hemulen, Snufkin, and a whole host of other creatures living in Moominvalley have become classics. The Moomins are like small fat white hippopotamuses who keep having adventures in their own utterly charming and magical world. Fun fact: Hattifatteners become electric after a lighting storm!
4. The Famous Five – Enid Blyton *
I feel very nostalgic about these books as I read them all, cover to cover, time after time. My favourite was Five Go To Mystery Moor but they were all good, albeit of their time. Maybe rather too much ginger beer, and sometimes I wanted to thump Julian for being so bossy, and Anne for being wet, but who couldn’t love Timmy? And not a mobile phone or computer game in sight either.
5. The Little White Horse – Elizabeth Goudge *
Another firm favourite: a family feud, a brave and stubborn heroine, heroes and villains, some magic, and a unicorn. The tale might be a little old fashioned for children’s book tastes today, but the story is one that still resonates with me years later.
6. My Family and Other Animals – Gerald Durrell *
The first book in The Corfu Trilogy, that formed the basis of the successful ITV The Durrells series. The books are SO MUCH better though. How Gerry introduced various fauna into his family villa on Corfu, and how his long suffering family coped (or not) always made me laugh out loud. A must read trilogy, and still relevant for children today.
7. James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl *
Really, what is there to say about James and the Giant Peach that hasn’t already been said? The characters are just so brilliantly written and the descriptions of the peach juice, the Cloud Men, and of course, Aunts Sponge and Spiker, are without compare. Dahl was an absolute genius who knew exactly how to appeal to children!
8. The Hobbit – J R R Tolkein *
Recommended as one of the best children’s books by age 9, I did in fact I first read The Hobbit around the age of 9, and loved it straight away. Not as daunting as The Lord of the Rings, it’s a classic fantasy tale with dwarves, elves, goblins, wizards, trolls, SPIDERS, men, and of course, hobbits. I entered into Tolkien’s world completely and never wanted to come out again. And although the Peter Jackson films are wonderful, for me they can’t do justice to the language and imagination of the original text.
9. The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry *
Not just for children, the story is such a sweet one, and the illustrations are beautiful. It’s one that always crops up on the lists of classic children’s picture books. As children, we all have huge imaginations and see things in very simple terms, but these facilities seem to slip away from us as we grow up. The Little Prince teaches us the most essential lesson: to remember what’s really important in life and to let the rest go. A re-reading of this book has reminded me I have my own Rose: Flora.
10. The Dark Is Rising – Susan Cooper *
This is a series of five fantasy books, drawing on the legend of King Arthur, and centring on the age old battle between the Dark and the Light for the Pendragon’s heir. Merriman (Merlin) and his warriors help some modern day children follow clues and collect Signs. These then allow the hidden future boy king go back to regain his lost kingdom. Reading that back, I think I’ve made it sound rubbish but, I promise, it’s not! There’s folklore, history, magic, time travel, extremes of beliefs, adventures in spades, and (for a change) a really good female role model. If you saw the truly dreadful 2007 American film, then please banish it from your memory (as I’m sure Susan Cooper has tried to do) and give the books a go. They are the real deal.
What are your favourite children’s books?
So, these are my top ten favourite childhood books, some of which I’ve re-read regularly throughout my adult life. Because the magic of books is that when something inspires you, it stays with you too. And if I had to pick just one to take on a desert island? It would be my number 10, The Dark Is Rising series, and then I could daydream about Bran and Cafall coming to rescue me 🙂
Do you recognise any of your favourite childhood books? Which tales do you fondly recall from your childhood? Would you still read them and love them as much now, do you think?
* This post features affiliate links (please see my Disclaimer).
I haven’t read all of these books but some of them were key books from my Childhood. I loved sharing Roald Dahl with my son when he was younger.
Now I have to force him to read! I miss the days of reading together.
We’ve been reading the Hobbit with the girls and that was a new experience for me as I have never read it before and I have some how managed to avoid the films as wel!
Great post Lisa x
Roald Dahl is such a classic, he knew just how to hook children as well as adults. An amazing talent – and that’s lovely to be coming to The Hobbit, I hope the girls are enjoying it! x
What a blast of nostalgia this post has given me. I love so many of these books especially The Famous Five. My MIL gave me her original set not so long back and I can’t wait to reread them all! I have never read Watership Down this is one I must add to my TBR!
I would add Secret Seven, Nancy Drew and the What A Mess books!
It’s a real trip down Memory Lane, isn’t it?! I couldn’t get on with the Secret Seven unfortunately but yes, do read Watership Down!
This is such a great post and love to see some of the books I used to love! My absolute favourite used to be ‘George’s marvellous medicine’ by Roald Dahl. It was the first book my sister and I read together. Thank you so much for sharing, I will check some of the rest out x
Thank you so much! Roald Dahl is such a popular children’s book author, I’m not surprised to see him popping up in everyone’s favourites 🙂 x
I grew up on Enid Blyton books. One of my favourite book series, when I was growing up, was the Chronicle Of Narnia books, I would definitely read them to my children
I loved the Narnia Chronicles too, but I came to them a little later in life 🙂
When I was little, I was OBSESSED with Black Beauty. The book came with me everywhere, even on holidays!
I can’t wait for the future where I can read to my children!
I’ve just started re-reading the Harry Potter books and they are just wonderful
Rosie
OMG, Beauty came away with me too, haha! I’ve just started re-reading the His Dark Materials trilogy, it’s even better than I remember 🙂
I used to love The Famous Five and Secret Seven. I also loved The Little Princess and a lot of the Jaqueline Wilson books 🙂 xx
Yay, a fellow Enid Blyton lover, The Famous Five are such classics! xx
Wow lovely collection, most of them I didn’t hear. I was reading Heidi, 5 friends,
Petit Prince of course. And mostly some local books..
Oh, yes, I remember Heidi too, such a classic kids book!
Oh I love this Lisa! I was a huge reader as a child (obviously still am). I was that kid in school always taking part in the Summer reading challenges in the library and buying a shed load of books at the book fairs that used to come to the school haha! I loved Sheltie the Shetland Pony books despite having zero interest in horses. Anything by Jaqueline Wilson was a MUST xxx
Thank you, Jenny, you and I have SO much in common! And I’d forgotten about Sheltie, I’ll have to look into those for Flora, who IS horse mad, haha! xxx
I’m surprised to see that I’ve only read two of these books. My daughter and I read series together, and we loved The Shadowhunters series this past year. It is amazing.
I love Cassandra Clare too but I think her books are a little too adult for Flora as yet – even though she’s a very mature almost-11 year old!
So many great children’s books on this list. I’m so glad you included Black Beauty in this list. It’s by far one of my favorite childhood books and read it almost every year. Watership Down is another fantastic book. I really need to reread it at some point and then read the sequel. There are a couple of books on this list I have never heard of, so now you have me curious about them. I also never quite understood how The Hobbit was a kids book, I always saw it as an adult book.
There’s a sequel to Watership Down? Wow, I need to check that out ASAP. And I know what you mean about The Hobbit, but I think the story is so appealing to kids and their imaginations – I had a VERY vivid picture of what everyone looked like and the landscapes!
Wonderful list! Thanks for sharing:)
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I actually do not think I have read any of these books you suggested. I remember when I was really young I read a Micky mouse book that was part of my Disney collection of books and higher up in primary school I read kenzuki’s kingdom(not sure on spelling) I think my littlest sister has that book still. Thank you for sharing Lisa.
Lauren
That’s amazing that Mickey Mouse has stayed with you after so long, and I will definitely checkout Kenzuki’s Kingdom too, thank you for the recommendation! x
It’s surprising how many of these classics I haven’t read! I used to love Jacqueline Wilson books growing up, they were always my go to books and I adored reading them x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I’ve heard really good things about Jacqueline Wilson, I’ll have to look into those for Flora! x
I read a lot as a kid, but most books i remember is from age 10 and up. My mom used to read me these fantasy monster books from a danish author that I loved, and I very much loved the classics (in child appropriate language) like the three musketeers, the count of monte christo and cinderella. I also read the three detectives, and Agatha Christie. That love never died and I still have so many of my childhood books lying around.
That’s so good to hear you still have a lot of your childhood books – Flora thinks some of mine are museum pieces (!) but others she’d enjoyed very much. I remember the Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers too, great choices 🙂
Lovely list! I really enjoyed Little House on the Prairie when I was a kid and would totally get it for my littl’un.
I watched the TV series and loved that too – so wholesome!
Wow, a lit I’d these I don’t know! Thanks for the titles, always good to have 🙂
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
James and the giant peach was one of my faves!
It’s such a classic 🙂
So many of my favorite books are on this list, I had to smile! I remember loving the quirky illustrations in my Roald Dahl books, though Enid Blyton is an all-time favorite author of mine. I loved (and still love) her Six Cousins at Mistletoe Farm book. Not many people still mention Enid Blyton so it was special to see her name here!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh that’s great to hear – and yes, I know what you mean about Enid Blyton (although I’m probably showing my ages by including her!) 🙂
I love this list! There’s some here I haven’t even read! But also some of my favourites I will be reading to my future children. Me and my partner are always talking about books we loved and kept hold of in order to introduce to our children. Its so important to keep these books alive!! Xx
Yesssss, it’s so important to keep the classics alive, that’s why I hung on to so many of my childhood books (even if Flora has different tastes!) x
I love this, so many great books! I can’t remember the last time that I read Watership Down, but now I’m thinking that I need to pick it back up just for that fun walk down memory lane. That being said, looking at your list, the one that really brought back memories was Le Petit Prince. Thank you for sharing this!
Oh do re-read Watership Down, it’s such an amazing book. The rabbit mythology is just fantastic! Glad you’re a fellow Petit Prince fan too, so many good memories 🙂
Great list! I have to say I haven’t read any of them though. I had a lot of Disney books and Dr.Seuss books as a child then when I could read more myself, my starting novels were Geronimo Stilton 🙂 Thanks for sharing x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Dr Seuss was a favourite too – Green Eggs and Ham is a complete classic! x
I stopped reading for a long time that I almost forgot the books. However, recently, I’m catching up with books and stories. The Dark Is Rising looks interesting and I haven’t read that. Great collection, Lisa!
If you’re into Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table you’ll love The Dark is Rising, I’m sure. Brilliant books, especially Greenwitch 🙂
I’m nowhere near having children yet but I can’t wait to read them Roald Dahl books! He was a close friend of my family so I’ve always grown up with his books so it’ll be a very special moment when I get to pass them down!
Also, I had no idea there were books on The Durrells!
Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com
Oh that’s amazing to have Roald Dahl as a family friend, what a fabulous provenance for your books, wow!
I read the caption, and I asked my self, what’s one of my favourite childhood books?
Black Beauty was the first to come to mind. So imagine my delight when I started reading and saw it was the top of your list.
Oh that’s amazing, I’m so thrilled, what good taste we both have!
Oh Lisa this is just wonderful 😍🤗 there are some truly fabulous children’s books here and ones I too have read and enjoyed. Oh I loved this post so so much ❤️😍😊🤗💕💜 xoxo
Thank you so much, Sarah, that’s just lovely to hear! x
Lovely to read about the books you liked as a child. I know many authors, but I didn’t read books by them.
I loved Black Beauty as a child, but I can’t say I remember a lot from it. Maybe I should buy it and re-read it. I also know The Little Prince, a book we learned passages from at school, for our French classes. I hated it, of course, like most children do when they have to read something for school. I was a bit older when we had this and that might have had an impact too.
Funnily enough I read The Little Prince in French first as well, but I loved it so much I asked for the English translation 🙂
This is such a cute post idea, there are so many childhood classics that I’d love to share with my future children- especially novels such as Ballet Shoes and Little Women. I’m not sure if they would be as interested as me though, I was definitely an avid reader when I was little! Thank you for sharing these suggestions x
Confession, I’ve never read Little Women – maybe that’s something to rectify now that Flora’s the right age! x
Interesting read. You have described your favorite books vividly and with simple honesty. I didn’t read any of these. I will love to check them.
Thanks for sharing them!
Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you to say so.
I’ve only read James and the Giant Peach & The Hobbit from your list 😱🙈. My childhood fave was The Wishing Chair series by Enid Blyton – wow that’s really thrown me back to my mum reading me a chapter or two a night 🥰
I feel robbed, I was never read The Wishing Chair! Glad you recognised a few titles though 🙂
Thanks for taking me down memory lane with some of these books! My son is an adult now, but his favourite book was called Stone Soup or anything in the Mr Big series. I will keep your suggestions in the event I need to buy a book for a young child one day.
Nothing like a bit of nostalgia is there? 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the choices!
Ahh I love this! I used to have a cassette story tape of one of the famous five books and I loved it. I’m still meaning to read watership down… one day I will. Great post!
Cassettes! Now there’s another trip down memory lane 🙂 Hope you enjoy Watership Down when you do read it!
Dr, Seuss books – I had so many of them and I loved them
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (and I love the 1939 movie starring Shirley Temple)
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
When I got older, around 8 or 9, I got into books by Judy Blume.
Dr Seuss are classics, aren’t they? And yes, The Velveteen Rabbit is a lovely tale too.
Love these books! I loved Roald Dahl books as a kid, especially Matilda!
Roald Dahl always tops any list!
What a great list! I love the Little Prince and James and the Giant Peach! Those are such wonderful books! As a child, my favorites were The Mouse and the Motorcycle and anything else by Beverly Cleary, Ann M. Martin, or Judy Blume. As a first grade teacher, I enjoy reading books by Chris Van Allsburg, Kevin Henkes, and Mo Willems. 🙂
The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a GREAT title, I’ll have to look that one out for sure, thank you!
You’ve included so many great books that I remember enjoying when I was little. My nan used to read The Famous Five to my dad when he was a child and then he did the same for me. Its one of those series that I think never ages.
Ah, that’s a lovely family tradition – the power of a really good book, or books!
My kid is a fan of Roald Dahl. He is small so I read it to him but very soon he will start reading it on his own. I will do check the other books also which you have shared here. Thanks for sharing this post
Roald Dahl is such a favourite with all children – I think you can get picture books with less text on Amazon, to encourage him to read on his own too 🙂
I don’t have kids but I remember some books of your list… Thank you for sharing !
They are such classics, aren’t they? 🙂
This is such a great list and I love that you can still remember which ones you loved so dearly! I hadn’t known that The Hobbit is a kid’s book. Of course I know The Little Price – since it is always the first go to book when you want to read something in another language for the first time 😉
PS: congrats on having a cat who is such a cooperative little model ♥
Thank you, Susanne! Glad to find a fellow Little Prince fan 🙂 And yes, Jester was always super chilled and co-operative, bless him ♥
The Little Prince was a favorite of mine and I still have my copy 🙂
I have two, one in English and one in French 🙂
My kids love all series of harry potter. Thanks for sharing some more.
Thank you, glad you like the list.
Thanks for sharing, your favourite, most of these are my favourites to 🙂
Great minds, Nic, that’s good to hear!
Loved this! My favourites growing up were definitely Enid Blyton followed by Jacqueline Wilson as I got older. The magic faraway tree was probably my all time favourite
I do feel robbed, I never experienced the magic of The Faraway Tree!
Oh this makes me so nostalgic. I loved Tolkien when I was young and still do. From when I was very little the hungry caterpillar, Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter books. Siobhan ♡
Oh yes, Beatrix Potter was an early favourite, as well as Winnie (my fave was Eeyore!).
I love Black Beauty! I don’t even know how many times I read that book and watched the movie! Such a great list!
Thank you – and yes, Beauty is the absolute classic 🙂
Well, I have to say I was not a reader when I was younger. I started reading during my adolescent years. But looking back, the book I fancied when I was a child was Little Red Riding Hood. I think I have 3 books at that time. I forgot the other 2. 😉
Better late than never 🙂 And Little Red Riding Hood is such a classic fairy tale with so many twists!
My childhood was filled with books by Richard Scarry, Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Judy Bloom.
Oh, you were lucky, what great authors!
I haven’t read most of these books (unfortunately), but The Little Prince is one of my all-time favourite books. It’s just so good!
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
It’s such a wonderful tale, isn’t it? 🙂
What a great idea for a blog post! Some real classics here. My favourites would have to be: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge and The Naughtiest Girl in the School by Enid Blyton : )
Thank you – and yes, The Secret Garden was one of my favourites too, such a wonderful story, so many things to discover on every re-read!