Ten Enjoyable Literature Classics For Children

So you want to get your child interested in the Literature classics but you are not sure of where to start. You don't want something too complicated but you want them to get an appreciation for good books. Here is a list of books which I consider to be true Literature classics that children will enjoy.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

This is the story of a young orphaned girl who goes to live with her sickly cousin and Uncle. She discovers a garden that has been kept secret for a long time. The garden seems to work magic on all around it, for Mary's attitude changes, her cousin's sickness falls away and life on a whole takes on a new perspective.

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge

The first in the Katy series as I like to call it. The story traces the childhood of Katy and her five other siblings along with her Aunt and her Papa. Katy has many a dream and has her head somewhat in the clouds. Though her aunt is tough, she does mean well and when Katy does not listen she is forced to learn one of life's hard lessons.

What Katy Next by Susan Coolidge

Although there is a book in between called What Katy Did At School, What Katy Did Next falls in well with the continuation of Katy's life. Katy's next-door neighbor invites her on a trip to Europe and she is delighted to accept as she has always wanted to go (what young girl does not?) and she has a fine relationship with those who have asked her. On the trip she meets a certain young fellow who at first does not notice her. Katy, now grown-up does not see it as a great loss; she has grown quite unselfish. However she does get her happy ending.

Little Women by Louisa M Alcott

The well-loved tale of four sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and their time together. This book has everything in it. Love, sorrow, joy, fear and many a life lesson that will help children to realize the things that should be valued in life. Sometimes a book can finish the sentences you try to impress on your child's mind. When a child has heard it said by you and it is impressed upon them again in their favorite book, it is not a teaching that is soon forgotten.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

A book for boys and girls alike, no one can resist the mischievous yet charming Tom Sawyer. His tricks to get out of chores and leave off from taking medicine, leaves one highly amused and his adventures with his good friend Huck Finn keeps one at the edge of his seat.

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Alice goes on an adventure where she meets a white rabbit who is afraid of being late, a mad hatter and a caterpillar who gives her some strange advice. A somewhat nonsensical story, the book does present some sort of logic to it, in that the things which are said could be true if they were said in another way. Now I am talking as though I were in Wonderland.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

The famous line from this book says it all - all children grow up, except one. Peter is a boy who lives in Neverland a place where children never grow up. He takes Wendy, Michael and John with him to Neverland where they meet the Lost Boys and Captain Hook. They have a lot of adventures.

The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The story of a mole, water-rat , badger and toad and the adventures that they have. A well-written animal story that seems especially enchanted when it is read aloud. A great idea for bedtime perhaps.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

A prequel to The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, the hobbit is one of the best children's stories ever written, I daresay. It is about Bilbo, Frodo's uncle and how he came to go on an adventure. He meets elves, and dwarfs and even a dragon. He also comes upon the ring which is featured in the trilogy. I should say that it stands to reason that the next set of books to get after The Hobbit are The Fellowship of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of The King.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

It really is not fair that I cram seven whole books into number ten but you really can't read just one and your children, if they do like one will want to read all. This is the tale of Narnia, how it came to be and how it ended. Children feature in the books, namely, Edmund, Lucy, Peter, and Susan as well as Eustace and Jill. The creator of Narnia, Aslan is there as well as some others. A favorite series of mine that I highly recommend.

So there are the ten, really if I am honest, nineteen which really show writing done well. A child introduced to these books properly will have a love for books that will last their lifetime and possibly, their children's lifetime as well.

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