Children's classic books hold a special place in literature, serving as touchstones that inspire imagination, empathy, and moral growth in young readers. Cherished by generations, they blend captivating stories with universal themes, making them relevant for children and adults alike. Here are just a few of our favourite children’s classics and why we continue to love them...
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (6+)
A gentle, heartwarming tale of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte, Charlotte’s Web delves into life, death, and sacrifice. With memorable characters, the book emphasises compassion, loyalty, and the beauty of selflessness, teaching children about friendship’s lasting power and the inevitability of loss.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (9+)
In The Secret Garden, young Mary Lennox discovers not only a hidden garden but also a path to healing and personal growth. This book weaves themes of loneliness, resilience, and transformation, showing readers how nature and friendship can mend broken hearts. It encourages children to nurture kindness, and to find beauty in new beginnings.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M.Montgomery (9+) Introducing readers to the red-headed, optimistic and imaginative orphan with a knack for getting into scrapes, Anne of Green Gables is a celebration of individuality, perseverance, and the value of family and friendship. Anne’s vibrant personality and endless curiosity inspire readers to appreciate their own unique qualities and embrace life’s ups and downs. For younger readers there is a beautiful new Illustrated edition published by Nosy Crow, abridged by Katherine Woodfine.
Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D Taylor (9+) A powerful and moving story about Cassie Logan and her family’s struggle to hold on to their land as an African American family living in Mississippi during the Depression, this is a story packed with emotion and feeling. The Logan family demonstrates how pride, love, and integrity can help combat racism, inequality and social injustice.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (3+) A timeless picture book about a toy's journey towards becoming real through the love of a child, this lovely tale is a testament to the power of love and imagination.
The Railway Children by Edith Nesbitt (9+) The classic story of the adventures of three children and the friends they make when they move to a cottage by the railway, this book has a primary message about the importance of friendship and helping others, but also touches on the themes of gender identity, race, wealth and status.
Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian (9+) When eight-year-old evacuee Willie Beech first arrives on old Tom Oakley's doorstep, neither are quite sure what to make of each another. Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, this is a beautifully told, deeply moving story about the power of friendship, kindness, hope and love, set in the English countryside during WWII.
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (3+) Madeline’s adventures in her ‘old house in Paris’ have inspired countless young readers to be brave and adventurous. With catchy rhymes and a memorable heroine, this book is a wonderful choice for fostering courage and independence in young children.
Which classic stories are your favourites? There are many accessible versions of these book and other classic literature available now, for younger readers or those who prefer highly illustrated versions. They allow allow younger students to enjoy the charm and adventure of the classics in a more concise or more easily accessible format, and to learn about different settings, historical events, and cultures too. A few examples include the Nosy Crow Illustrated Classics, Anne Of Green Gables, A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, Usborne Graphic Novels, and Sweet Cherry Publishing's Children's Classics Collection.
