Classic children’s books written prior to 1975, particularly those which appear timeless, and not outdated due to language and culture.
Published: 1967 Theme: Faery Best for: 7 - 10 "There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away for those with long legs. Wootton Major it was called because it was larger than Wootton Minor..." A truly magical yet profound tale of the skeptic world and those who 'do believe in fairies'...
Published: 1998 Theme: Fantasy Best for 8 and up "Not every old man with ragged trousers is a bad old man: ... a few, a very few, are wizards prowling round on a holiday looking for something to do. This one was a wizard, the one that now walked into the story." Early on, Tolkien crafted several short novellas out of stories that he made up for his own children, and Roverandom is one of them.
Published: 1975 Theme: Loyalties Best for: 6th grade "Of all the stupid things he had ever done, this was the worst by any measure. He had completely humiliated his kind father in front of Yoshida - the man upon whom all their livelihood depended." This compelling children's book has so much going for it that the best advice is to read it. In fact, that's what the sixth grade class does in our Waldorf school, and I hope parents read along.
Published: 1947 Theme: Childhood Behavior Best for: 5 to 8 "Pretty soon down the stairs came a terrible old witch with a long black dress, a tall black hat and a big gnarly black cane. Mary Lou was very scared until she saw the sparkly eyes of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle under the black hat." Everything about this children's book reminds me of Mary Poppins, and a spoonful of sugar with the medicine...
Published: 1954 Theme: Space Travel Best for: boys 8 and up "Wanted: A small space ship about eight feet long, built by a boy, or by two boys, between the ages of eight and eleven...An adventure and chance to do a good deed await the boys who build the best space ship." In this delightful early science fiction children's book, we are introduced to space travel, impossible in 1954, and of course, becoming quite possible only a decade later...
Published: 1975 Theme: Historical Fiction Best for: 12 to 14 "Why, people ask, why did Leonardo da Vinci choose to paint the portrait of the second wife of an unimportant Florentine merchant when dukes and duchesses all over Italy and the King of France as well, were all begging for a portrait by his hand? Why, they ask, why?" This is quite a lovely way to introduce older children to the world of Leonardo da Vinci, and his painting of the Mona Lisa, and history of the Renaissance.
Published: 1972 Theme: Cultural Survival Best for: 9 and up "Miyax pushed back the hood of her sealskin parka and looked at the Arctic sun. It was a yellow disk in a lime-green sky; the colors of six o'clock in the evening and the time when the wolves awoke." Part of the fifth grade Waldorf curriculum, this authentic story allows a glimpse into a world where people were one with wild nature.
Published: 1963 Theme: Diversity is Good Best for: 5 to 8 "All the other Tatrajanni ...had glittering white hair like snow crystals, and the eyes of every one of them, without exception, were the color of light shining through ice: a cool greenish hue." This book steps out of the mold of Enright's other books. It is pure fantasy, with an imaginary land, animals, and people...
Published: 1976 Theme: Myths and Magic Best for: 9 and up "Something was coming, Peter knew it, and he was pretty sure he was going to be involved in it. Against his skin the Key felt hot. There was no vibration as yet but... Peter was afraid and yet he couldn't take it off.. he was drawn to it." This is a challenging book to read, but it is worth putting the effort in, as it takes us into the myths and magic of the Welsh people, traveling back in time, and merging with the present...
Published: 1938 Theme: Growing Up Best for: 8 to 11 "When she had reached the highway, her anger began to turn into a feeling of excitement. Eric's stories of hitchhiking were still fresh in her mind. I'll try it anyway, she thought, and stopped at the roadside." This book is a great antidote to today's cries of "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." We experience the olden days on a farm...
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