Classic children’s books written prior to 1975, particularly those which appear timeless, and not outdated due to language and culture.
Published: 1963 Theme: Historical Fantasy Best for: 8 and up "The only thing a cat worries about is what's happening right now. As we tell the kittens, you can only wash one paw at a time." This time-travel, historical fantasy stands out through the heart-felt and accurate portrayal of cats and their behavior, sharing traits that are often missed by non-cat lovers.
Published: 1960 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: ages 8-11 " One sheep does not think. He does this and he does that and there is no sense to it. But the flock thinks. And what the flock thinks each and every one sheep in the flock knows at once and altogether. It is strange but it is so..." I was surprised and enchanted by this children's book from start to finish. It is a quick read, compelling, informative, and even moving at the end...
Published: 1953 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: Boys 11-12 "San Ysidro is the patron saint of our village of Los Cordovas...He keeps an eye out special for Los Cordovas...For as long as I can remember, there have been no complaints about how San Ysidro has handled things for our village." Miguel is twelve years old, a middle child in a large family of shepherds who have lived on the New Mexico lands for hundreds of years. Somehow he has a way of muddling everything he tries to communicate...
Published: 1918 Theme: Nature Spirits Best for: 5 - 8 "Ivra was different. Because she was only half-fairy, any human could see her whether his eyes were shadowed or not, if he would only look hard enough...When a human did see her, he was likely not to believe in her. He would just think he was day-dreaming." Here's a children's book that understands and loves the unseen folk: the fairies, the tree sprites, the good witches, and more. Ethel Cook Eliot was a master storyteller...
Published: 1955 Theme: Historical Fiction Best for: ages 10 and up "The troops from Andover appeared in there dashing red uniforms, every button shining, leather gleaming...The church bells chimed. Then a great shout went up. For there was President Washington – a tall, commanding man, riding horseback to enter the town." Here's a children's book that is so informative, it's a little hard not to compare it to a dull textbook that might teach the same subject. The subject matter is navigation, discoveries, and life at the time of the American Revolution.
Published: 1943 Theme: Self-Reliance Best for: 9 to 12 "Dick was there, of course, but, with his mind on the new boat, or on birds, or on cutting up wood in a scientific way, he did not seem to realize that they were going to sleep in a hut in the wood with nobody in it but themselves, a hut with holes in its roof and no glass in its window." Each of Ransome's books carry the excitement of: children out on their own, creating wild adventures in nature, having close calls that are always resolved, and learning absolute self-sufficiency and resilience...
Published: 1930 Theme: Magic of the Ordinary Best for: 9 and up "Night putting her arms around the sea. No helping wizard. Just the earth going to bed the same as it had done for a million years.. .Were no more wonders worked since sprites and fairies left the haunts of Man? Yet it was magic too, this...the sun sinking in the sea at dusk and rising on the land at dawn." This children's book is about belief in the unseen worlds, and learning to see the magic that is also possible in daily life. The characters in the book are fascinating, and unlike those we might meet in other books...
Published: 1880 Theme: Healing Power of Nature Best for: all ages "Soon all the lively goats came leaping up the mountain, the nimble Distelfinck bounding ahead of the others. Heide was at once in the midst of the flock, which pushed her hither and thither with loud, stormy greetings." It has been far too long since I re-read the classic children's book, Heidi, and once I picked it up, it was impossible to put it down...
Re-Published: 1997 Theme: Kindness to Animals Best for: 5-8 "After a while, with the parrot's help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand everything they said. Then he gave up being a people's doctor altogether." The fantasy that is outlined in this edited versionis fabulous. Not only can the animals talk, but they do wonderful things for this kind man who takes care of everyone and everything...
Published: 1917 Theme: Chivalry Best for: ages 10 and up "Be not robbers to any who are poor and who are good fellows--having only their poverty against them. Be kind to those who help you, but exact toll as heretofore of all who come through the greenwood. The rich to pay in money, and blood--if it be necessary." Given how riveting the tale of Robin Hood is, I surely hope others don't wait as long as I did to finally read this masterpiece of children's literature. It is everything I had hoped it would be...
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