Classic children’s books written prior to 1975, particularly those which appear timeless, and not outdated due to language and culture.
Published: 1950 Theme: Overcoming Handicaps Best for: 5th grade and up, classroom/home school "...he would learn all the ways of knighthood. He would learn how to be of service to his liege lord, how to be courteous and gentle, and at the same time, strong of heart." This Newberry Medal winner is a well-crafted historical fiction children's book set in medieval England, complete with knights, plagues, and cloistered monks...
Published: 1990 Theme: Survival, Resilience Best for: Classroom use, Home School, grade 5 and up "Everyone in our tribe had two names, the real one which was secret and seldom used, and one which was common, for if people use your secret name, it becomes worn out and loses it's magic." This work of historical fiction, about a young girl left alone on an island, chronicles the ways she managed to survive..
Published: 1961 Theme: Wisdom Best for: 10 and up Five Stars "Of course there are a few of us whose feet never reach the ground no matter how old we get, but I suppose it's the same in every family." This timeless classic is so filled with humor and wisdom that each reading makes it feel new. A must-have...
Published: 1948 Theme: Fairyworld Best for: 5-9 "It is autumn in Moomin Valley, for how else can spring come back again?" This quirky little children's book captured my interest right away because I'm in the midst of teaching phonetic skills to second and third graders...
Published: 1923 Theme: The Unseen World Best for: All ages "The Being passed very near her mountaintop, moving slowly, as to unheard holy music. But as he passed, he turned his face and looked down at Gentian, standing still and small on the mountain top. She ...was lost in awe." This unusual book defies categories. It isn't fantasy, the way most people understand fantasy. The closest word I can use to describe it is mystical. There is something very true about the book...
Published: 1942 Theme: Independence Best for: 5- 8 "In front of the boxcar, a pretty little brook ran over the rock, with a waterfall in it." The book leaped off the shelf when I was in the library, and the title sounded so familiar, that I had to take it home and read it. However, I read it before I even got home...
Published: 1944 Theme: Power of Thoughts Best for: 5- 8 "I am Quillow, the teller of tales," said the toymaker, but unlike the others he did not bow to the giant. This is a funny children's book, but you must be attentive! The humor sneaks up on you. That's James Thurber. ...
Published: 1960 Theme: Friendship Best for: 8-10 Here's a delightful children's book that is just plain fun to read. The imagination delights in the possibility of a cat, a mouse, and a cricket, all good friends, living in the subway of New York City. It is as if we are totally in their world, and it is a wondrous one...
Published: 1900 Theme: Good Always Wins Best for: Read-aloud, 5-8 The Book of Dragons is one of Nesbit's earliest children's books, written as a collection of short stories, eight to be exact, each about a different kind of dragon. Each tale is...
Published: 1902 Theme: Be Careful What You Wish for! Suitable for: all ages Five Stars From the very opening pages, Nesbit has us, the reader, firmly in her grip. Right away, you picture the children so eager to be free of the confines of their city life, and you know something interesting will happen...
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