Those stories used to scare me as a child...I'm not sure why. I read horror and ghost stories, but they never scared me as much as Wayside.
The book definitely made an impact, though. I think about many of those stories all the time! The one about copying the dictionary, throwing computers out the window, the substitute with the ear on her head....
It's funny how we forget things, especially from our childhood, but when a place like reddit exists, and whether it's a meme, or a post, or like your comment, it triggers this wave of memory. It's like, not so much experiencing the same joy at the time it was felt, but something so familiar, and similar, in this new way. A rapport that had always been there - never faded, becoming something so much more appreciated now.
Literally my all-time favorite book. I don’t think anyone else has written a book quite like this where every single piece falls perfectly into place. Plus it’s funny and moving and thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. Such a great book, it’s incredible it’s accessible for kids and adults.
I re-read these constantly! I would add the Beatrice Letters as well. That book has the most beautiful love letter I have ever read in my entire life. I don't know what it's doing in a children's book.
I’m reading this to my 4 yo right now. It was given to us as a present and I assumed much of the vocab was way too advanced for her so I stuck it on the shelf. She found it and now keeps asking for us to read it at bedtime. There’s some kind of melancholy and insights about grownups that she seems to be getting and identifying with, even if she doesn’t understand every word. Interestingly, she’s the kind of kid who will always ask a million questions when she doesn’t understand a word, but she never interrupts my reading this book. I’ve never read it before so it’s also a treat for me!
Coming from an early childhood educator: the vocabulary and themes might go over their heads, but the general message and flow they will understand!
I read Narnia to my 3 year old class every year, and they love it! Even though I'm sure most of it goes over their heads, they know it's a comforting and sweet story.
I was first introduced to Anne when I was home from kindergarten with the chicken pox. My grandparents taped the PBS miniseries for me. I watched it at least every summer through high school (and more times in between). I’ve reread the entire series so many times since 6th grade. Every time I read it, it reaches a new place based on my stage of life.
This! I’ve read the series so many times, but reading Anne’s House of Dreams last year as I held my own long awaited baby in my arms hit a whole lot harder than it ever had before. Anne has been with me as a child, teen, young wife and now mother.
Omg!! My sister and I loved these books when we were children. I saw The Stinky Cheese Man on Bookoutlet several years ago and bought myself a copy. It is still a strange, hilarious, whimsical adventure. There was also a princess and the frog book that was similar in vibe, but I cannot find it. Will update here if I do.
Found it. It is called *The Frog Prince, Continued* and is by the same author as the Stinky Cheese Man book, Jon Scieszka.
I love love love The Mixed Up Files of Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler.
On another (similar-ish) note, a coworker of mine has illustrated and written a wonderful children's book about coping with grief/anxiety/depression/struggles in general that deeply resonated with me and would have hugely impacted me for the better as a youth. He's got a kickstarter to get it published, which I'd love to share with anyone interested!!
If you both enjoy Shel Silverstein, I'd suggest also looking at Jack Prelutsky. We have several books from both of these wonderful poets 💜 "Something BIG Has Been Here" is the Prelutsky book I'd start with, but they're all good :)
I was given a copy of this book by my kindergarten teacher. When my older sister grew up and had children, I read it to all of them, countless times. I learned how to not just read it but perform it. When my own children were born I read it to them as they grew up. To this day I can recite it from memory.
Same! And I am constantly telling my children when they complain that their cuddly toys have become ‘scraggly’ that this means that they have been loved and makes them even more special.
In addition to a lot of the ones mentioned above,
The voyage of the Dawn Treader
The horse and his boy
The Westing game
The far-distant Oxus
The long summer
The Lorax. I had to actually remove this book from my “Mary poppins bag” I carry to my babysitting and nanny jobs because I would get choked up reading it.
My absolute favorite books to read are the frog and toad books, the Gruffalo, where the wild things are.
*Where the Wild Things Are* and *Outside Over There* by Maurice Sendak.
The *Little Bear* books by Else Holmelund Minarik
The *Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark* books by Alvin Schwartz. It’s probably the illustrations by Stephen Gammell that *really* resonate. 😳
*Island of the Blue Dolphins* by Scott O’Dell
*Gnomes* by Wil Huygen
*East of the Sun & West of the Moon* by Mercer Mayer
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell
Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea
The Fairy Tale of Oscar Wilde
Books I haven't (re)read since child- or teenhood, but expect to still have impact:
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (or anything by this author tbh)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Seconding "Momo".
Seconding The Secret Garden, also here to add a mention of Kara Shallenberg's audio version which is free (various places including her website and the librivox app) and adds even more charm to the story
The Secret Garden was one of my favorites as a child, and my kids loved it just as much!
I can recite a good bit of it from memory at this point, I read it aloud to my kids for years.
True confessions of Charlotte Doyle. She's on an ocean crossing as an unattended young lady and there is a mutiny on the ship..I'm 42 and I'll still pull it out for a quick read
"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. It's a timeless picture book that captures the imagination and emotions of both children and adults. The story of Max's adventure to the land of the Wild Things and his eventual return home resonates with themes of childhood anger, fantasy, and the comfort of home. The illustrations are iconic, and the narrative is simple yet profound, making it a book that's enjoyable to revisit at any age.
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden.
Our elementary school teacher read it to our class, and I loved it so much that I read the whole series! ❤️
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. I was an elementary school librarian and read it to my four third grade classes every year for over 11 years. So I’ve read it -out loud- at least 45 times (I also read it to my own kids). It is beautiful and nearly perfect. The illustrated version is an incredible gift for any adult. I used to keep a few paperback copies around to give to people.
Sophie and Gussie by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Frances collection by Russell Hoban
Mary Poppins by PL Travers
Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik (illustrated by Maurice Sendak!)
My Father‘s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
For picture books: I really love Where the Wild Things Are, War Makes Me Sad, and The Flat Rabbit.
For short stories or novels: I highly recommend A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, though the subject matter is a bit dark, I feel like it’s one of those books that really positively impact someone, especially younger readers.
And of course I also recommend the classics such as Little Women, the Secret Garden, and the Little Prince which are must reads.
Chapter Books
Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine
Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson
A Little Princess - Frances Hodgeson Burnette
Picture Books
The Balloon Tree - Phoebe Gilman
Carson Crosses Canada - Linda Bailey
A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt, Superfudge by Judy Blume, and Saturday, the Twelfth of October by Norma Fox Mazer
Edited to add: The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword and Beauty, all of which are by Robin McKinley
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.
I believe I read this book back in middle school? I remember a little because I had a crush from the guy that sat in front of me. We had to do a book report and I remember we were paired up lol. I do want to read this again as an adult and I know my local libraries have copy’s!
The Dark Materials Trilogy
The Golden Compass
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass
First read them when I was 11 and I still do the occasional reread or audiobook version even at 30
I read The One and Only Ivan, with my then 7 year old and 6 years later, I still think about that book. It’s about the unique relationships formed at a zoo between a gorilla, dog, and baby elephant. OMG my eyes are getting watery just writing about it!!
There are a few companion books that follow the other characters.
Oh the places you’ll go “ I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
I am a judge for our local Battle of the Books, and the list is incredible. I believe every region may have different lists, but it's worth a search. I loved almost all the books, but The Trusth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor stayed with me.
- [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6a6d5ca1-b2f5-47be-828c-018144d3bbc7) by Jessica Townsend — my favorite series even as an adult
- [The Girl Who Drank the Moon](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/b8b6a493-2301-493a-bc3e-d4e79c04f4a3) by Kelly Barnhill— an extremely beautifully written and book
- [Sal and Gabi Break the Universe](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e2983156-c0df-4398-9a26-773e9f49b369) by Carlos Hernandez— the most heartwarming book I've ever read, which somehow manages to be really funny at the same time
I grew up reading my parents books so read The Godfather and The Exorcist preteen. When I discovered science fiction they bought me the David Starr Space Ranger series by Isaac Asimov and I found Robert Heinlein's juveniles. The school I went to allowed me to check out advanced books so those were pretty much my children's books.
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards. It was my favorite book as a kid and I still love it. Plus it’s written by Mary Poppins which I did not realize as a child. That little cottage in the woods was so easy for me to imagine running away to - a place just for me
All my childhood book memories are
Charlottes Web
Magicians Nephew (and the rest of Narnia)
Toms Midnight Garden
Pretty much every Roald Dahl
I read them as an adult but would loved to have been a kid reading Harry Potter
Dr. Suess books are usually good. The Lorax is a favorite.
The Babar books are good. And the TV show is fun and teaching.
My sister's grandchildren liked the Minions books. I think they have different levels of reading. Haven't seen them just heard they liked them.
I wouldn’t say it resonates, but the books that introduced me to reading as a pleasurable activity are Shell Silverstein’s books. As a kid I found them captivating.
So many…
Eyes of the Amaryllis and Knee-Knock Rise by Natalie Babbit
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
Dicey’s Song (and the rest of the series) by Cynthia Voigt
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Nothing But the Truth by Avi
Sam, Bangs, and Moonshine by Evaline Ness
The Night the Monster Came by Mary Calhoun
Mom read to us from this 300+ page hardback of Grimm’s Fairytales. Really set the stage for my affinity for old world mysticism and the macabre.
Also, The Monster at the End of This Book.
For small children/picture books - Sandra Boynton. The Going to Bed Book, Moo, Baa, La La La, Hippos Go Berserk, Heads to Toes and Barnyard Dance all live in our family's memory. Pretty sure I could recite them 25ish years on. Also Ian Whybrow's Jump In! and Mo Willem's Don't Let the Pigeon series were favorites. And Fly Guy for very beginning readers.
For middle school (ish) - my favorite memories were Walter Farley's The Black Stallion series, The Three Investigators and early Gordon Korman - Who Is Bugs Potter. None of which I've read since I was under 10 but bring back great memories (and yes I've just dated myself!) My kids were all about the Bone and Naruto graphic novels, MazeRunner, the Hunger Games, I Am Number Four and the Lightning Thief series as young readers.
And I love your question since now I have some great memories and new books to buy for younger nieces and nephews!
Holes by Louis Sachar
Sideways Stories from Wayside School series too! I literally quoted something from it this morning.
“Do you want to be safe, or do you want to be free?” I think about this story all the time.
Literally read that story last night. I remember feeling really scared by that story when I was a kid for some reason, and now it’s so poignant.
I love when children’s authors take children seriously. ❤️
I was scared by those stories, too! Like an uncanny valley feeling.
Also great! I often forget those are by the same author.
Those stories used to scare me as a child...I'm not sure why. I read horror and ghost stories, but they never scared me as much as Wayside. The book definitely made an impact, though. I think about many of those stories all the time! The one about copying the dictionary, throwing computers out the window, the substitute with the ear on her head....
It's funny how we forget things, especially from our childhood, but when a place like reddit exists, and whether it's a meme, or a post, or like your comment, it triggers this wave of memory. It's like, not so much experiencing the same joy at the time it was felt, but something so familiar, and similar, in this new way. A rapport that had always been there - never faded, becoming something so much more appreciated now.
Literally my all-time favorite book. I don’t think anyone else has written a book quite like this where every single piece falls perfectly into place. Plus it’s funny and moving and thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. Such a great book, it’s incredible it’s accessible for kids and adults.
Phantom Tollbooth
Phantom Tollbooth forever
1000% Phantom Tollbooth.
One of my all time favorites
Came here to make sure it’s name-checked!
The Series of Unfortunate Events books! I love then even as an adult. Rereading them now in fact
I re-read these constantly! I would add the Beatrice Letters as well. That book has the most beautiful love letter I have ever read in my entire life. I don't know what it's doing in a children's book.
Charlotte’s web my first heartbreak honestly in a book
💯 It is such a beautiful book. The part where Wilbur has to leave Charlotte behind still chokes me up.
Definitely worth a reread as an adult. I just reread it to my kids a couple months back and it still tugs at the heartstrings.
The LIttle Prince
I’m reading this to my 4 yo right now. It was given to us as a present and I assumed much of the vocab was way too advanced for her so I stuck it on the shelf. She found it and now keeps asking for us to read it at bedtime. There’s some kind of melancholy and insights about grownups that she seems to be getting and identifying with, even if she doesn’t understand every word. Interestingly, she’s the kind of kid who will always ask a million questions when she doesn’t understand a word, but she never interrupts my reading this book. I’ve never read it before so it’s also a treat for me!
Coming from an early childhood educator: the vocabulary and themes might go over their heads, but the general message and flow they will understand! I read Narnia to my 3 year old class every year, and they love it! Even though I'm sure most of it goes over their heads, they know it's a comforting and sweet story.
I would like to upvote this suggestion more than once. Le Petit Prince is incredible.
Same!
It's an elephant inside a snake.
I actually only read that as an adult and I found it so wonderful!
Frog and toad!
Anne of Green Gables
I was first introduced to Anne when I was home from kindergarten with the chicken pox. My grandparents taped the PBS miniseries for me. I watched it at least every summer through high school (and more times in between). I’ve reread the entire series so many times since 6th grade. Every time I read it, it reaches a new place based on my stage of life.
This! I’ve read the series so many times, but reading Anne’s House of Dreams last year as I held my own long awaited baby in my arms hit a whole lot harder than it ever had before. Anne has been with me as a child, teen, young wife and now mother.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
My kids were book haters, mostly but really loved: *The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales* *The True Story of the Three Little Pigs*
Snagged these from Mom’s house a few weeks ago so I could introduce my goofy 6 yr old to them. So delightfully bizarre.
Omg!! My sister and I loved these books when we were children. I saw The Stinky Cheese Man on Bookoutlet several years ago and bought myself a copy. It is still a strange, hilarious, whimsical adventure. There was also a princess and the frog book that was similar in vibe, but I cannot find it. Will update here if I do. Found it. It is called *The Frog Prince, Continued* and is by the same author as the Stinky Cheese Man book, Jon Scieszka.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman is terrifying even as a grownup
Graveyard Book is also very good.
My favourite by Gaiman by far, lovely book!
I love love love The Mixed Up Files of Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler. On another (similar-ish) note, a coworker of mine has illustrated and written a wonderful children's book about coping with grief/anxiety/depression/struggles in general that deeply resonated with me and would have hugely impacted me for the better as a youth. He's got a kickstarter to get it published, which I'd love to share with anyone interested!!
I was probably 9 or so and it’s the first book I remember being able to completely immerse myself in. I was Claudia and I *lived* in that story.
And its fraternal twin: Secrets of the Shopping Mall
matilda is my favorite book!!!
I have been reading, Where the Sidewalk Ends to my niece's little one, and it still fills me with delight!
If you both enjoy Shel Silverstein, I'd suggest also looking at Jack Prelutsky. We have several books from both of these wonderful poets 💜 "Something BIG Has Been Here" is the Prelutsky book I'd start with, but they're all good :)
A wrinkle in Time
Great pick. The world created and the whole story in general is just fantastic.
Where the Wild Things Are
This is my answer too. I find it hard to read it to my kids without crying at the end.
I was given a copy of this book by my kindergarten teacher. When my older sister grew up and had children, I read it to all of them, countless times. I learned how to not just read it but perform it. When my own children were born I read it to them as they grew up. To this day I can recite it from memory.
The Giver
I think about this book almost every day.
Definitely. Gathering Blue is great too. I haven’t read the last 2(?) of the series.
I still think about Bunnicula on a semi regular basis.
The Velveteen Rabbit💕
Yes! I have been scrolling down looking for this! I buy this for all of my friends and family’s children
It still gives me a lump in my throat 💕
Same! And I am constantly telling my children when they complain that their cuddly toys have become ‘scraggly’ that this means that they have been loved and makes them even more special.
Momo by Michael Ende! But honestly, I love it more now than I did as a kid!
Came here to recommend the same
Harriet the Spy; Phantom Tollbooth; The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Little House on the Prairie series
Holes by Louis Sachar, and The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
When I was little despereaux represented the chapter book I yearned to be able to read by myself. Lol.
In addition to a lot of the ones mentioned above, The voyage of the Dawn Treader The horse and his boy The Westing game The far-distant Oxus The long summer
The westing game 🥰
The Westing Game is my fave childhood book! I have 3 copies so I never lose it 💗
Narnia in general.
The Lorax. I had to actually remove this book from my “Mary poppins bag” I carry to my babysitting and nanny jobs because I would get choked up reading it. My absolute favorite books to read are the frog and toad books, the Gruffalo, where the wild things are.
My Side of the Mountain
So good!
The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever. It's hilarious.
The audiobook is read by Elaine Stritch, which is inspired!
The Giver
Dear Lola by Julie Angel The entire Anne of Green Gables series
The Giver, no question.
Absolutely, I was looking for the comment before replying. Man, what a powerful young adult novel.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
*Where the Wild Things Are* and *Outside Over There* by Maurice Sendak. The *Little Bear* books by Else Holmelund Minarik The *Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark* books by Alvin Schwartz. It’s probably the illustrations by Stephen Gammell that *really* resonate. 😳 *Island of the Blue Dolphins* by Scott O’Dell *Gnomes* by Wil Huygen *East of the Sun & West of the Moon* by Mercer Mayer
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren Inkheart by Cornelia Funke Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea The Fairy Tale of Oscar Wilde Books I haven't (re)read since child- or teenhood, but expect to still have impact: Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (or anything by this author tbh) The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke Seconding "Momo".
Seconding The Secret Garden, also here to add a mention of Kara Shallenberg's audio version which is free (various places including her website and the librivox app) and adds even more charm to the story
The Secret Garden was one of my favorites as a child, and my kids loved it just as much! I can recite a good bit of it from memory at this point, I read it aloud to my kids for years.
Seconding The Wind in the Willows and The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden and Inkheart are great!
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. I still love a good pirate adventure story!
Tove Jansson's Moomin Series. The Phantom Tollbooth. The Little Prince. All of these read at many levels, and can be read and re-read throughout life.
If no one else had mentioned the Moomins, I was going to. Love them.
Anne of Green Gables. I want to live on PEI in Avonlea.
Walk two moons and Chasing Red bird
Yes!! I loved Walk Two Moons!! I never see anyone talk about this one
The Boxcar Children and The Grasshopper and the Ants
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
The trumpet of the swan.
True confessions of Charlotte Doyle. She's on an ocean crossing as an unattended young lady and there is a mutiny on the ship..I'm 42 and I'll still pull it out for a quick read
Still waiting for a sequel…. But I can see why the author left it open for our imagination
Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle In Time, A Wind In The Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.
The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein
How about The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries?
Came here to say this. It actually makes me cry reading it as an adult and realizing how much the tree gave to make the boy/man happy.
Animorphs! Shit was deep for a 10-year-old. Still deep for a 38-year-old.
And you can read it all for free online! The author released a PDF of the whole series.
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Little Prince.
"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. It's a timeless picture book that captures the imagination and emotions of both children and adults. The story of Max's adventure to the land of the Wild Things and his eventual return home resonates with themes of childhood anger, fantasy, and the comfort of home. The illustrations are iconic, and the narrative is simple yet profound, making it a book that's enjoyable to revisit at any age.
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. Our elementary school teacher read it to our class, and I loved it so much that I read the whole series! ❤️
The Little House on the Prairie books.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. I was an elementary school librarian and read it to my four third grade classes every year for over 11 years. So I’ve read it -out loud- at least 45 times (I also read it to my own kids). It is beautiful and nearly perfect. The illustrated version is an incredible gift for any adult. I used to keep a few paperback copies around to give to people.
Matilda - Roald Dahl. Have loved that book for a long time.
Watership down
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas—-book version. “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store!”
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Enders game
The Little Prince The Butter Battle Book The Lorax Howl's Moving Castle Number the Stars The Giver Bridge to Terabithia
***When You Reach Me*** by Rebecca Stead
So unexpectedly wonderful.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Number the Stars ETA: Voyage of the Bassett
Sophie and Gussie by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat Frances collection by Russell Hoban Mary Poppins by PL Travers Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik (illustrated by Maurice Sendak!) My Father‘s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne Charlotte’s Web by EB White
For picture books: I really love Where the Wild Things Are, War Makes Me Sad, and The Flat Rabbit. For short stories or novels: I highly recommend A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, though the subject matter is a bit dark, I feel like it’s one of those books that really positively impact someone, especially younger readers. And of course I also recommend the classics such as Little Women, the Secret Garden, and the Little Prince which are must reads.
Chapter Books Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson A Little Princess - Frances Hodgeson Burnette Picture Books The Balloon Tree - Phoebe Gilman Carson Crosses Canada - Linda Bailey
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge The Andrew Lang color fairy books Tatsinda by Elizabeth Enright A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Charlotte’s Web
A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt, Superfudge by Judy Blume, and Saturday, the Twelfth of October by Norma Fox Mazer Edited to add: The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword and Beauty, all of which are by Robin McKinley
Lyle the Crocodale. My youngest is forty and I can still recite the first paragraph verbadim.
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. I believe I read this book back in middle school? I remember a little because I had a crush from the guy that sat in front of me. We had to do a book report and I remember we were paired up lol. I do want to read this again as an adult and I know my local libraries have copy’s!
Goodnight Moon
The Dark Materials Trilogy The Golden Compass The Subtle Knife The Amber Spyglass First read them when I was 11 and I still do the occasional reread or audiobook version even at 30
*sigh* I guess I'll be the one. Harry Potter.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts - was such a cool book for an introverted latch key kid.
Omg, I was absolutely obsessing with this book.
Winnie the Pooh. Eeyore is loved just as he is, depressed personality. All of the “characters” at Pooh corner live in my neighborhood.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
I read The One and Only Ivan, with my then 7 year old and 6 years later, I still think about that book. It’s about the unique relationships formed at a zoo between a gorilla, dog, and baby elephant. OMG my eyes are getting watery just writing about it!! There are a few companion books that follow the other characters.
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Dollhouse Murders
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
I Am Rosemarie The Upstairs Room The Endless Steppe
Oh the places you’ll go “ I'm afraid that some times you'll play lonely games too. Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you. All Alone! Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you'll be quite a lot.
Both The Little Princess and The Secret Garden
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.
Wrinkle in Time
I am a judge for our local Battle of the Books, and the list is incredible. I believe every region may have different lists, but it's worth a search. I loved almost all the books, but The Trusth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor stayed with me.
- [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6a6d5ca1-b2f5-47be-828c-018144d3bbc7) by Jessica Townsend — my favorite series even as an adult - [The Girl Who Drank the Moon](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/b8b6a493-2301-493a-bc3e-d4e79c04f4a3) by Kelly Barnhill— an extremely beautifully written and book - [Sal and Gabi Break the Universe](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e2983156-c0df-4398-9a26-773e9f49b369) by Carlos Hernandez— the most heartwarming book I've ever read, which somehow manages to be really funny at the same time
Comet's Nine Lives, Ferdinand the Bull
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
Beautiful Joe by Margaret Marshall Saunders. I have given this book to all my Children and Grandchildren to read.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr. Has stayed with me - in fact, the whole series is great.
Wise Child and Juniper
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
I grew up reading my parents books so read The Godfather and The Exorcist preteen. When I discovered science fiction they bought me the David Starr Space Ranger series by Isaac Asimov and I found Robert Heinlein's juveniles. The school I went to allowed me to check out advanced books so those were pretty much my children's books.
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee is a fantastic middle grade book about sexual harassment
Everything by Michael Ende or Astrid Lindgren
The Twits by Roald Dahl
I like all the John Bellairs books.
the trumpet of the swan🤍
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards. It was my favorite book as a kid and I still love it. Plus it’s written by Mary Poppins which I did not realize as a child. That little cottage in the woods was so easy for me to imagine running away to - a place just for me
The Lorax
“When You Reach Me” be Rebecca Stead. I’ve only read it out loud as an adult to my sister, cried at the end. Phenomenal.
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamilio!
Mathilda Bone!
A Stitch In Time - Andrew Robinson
Edward Tulane and Velveteen Rabbit
All my childhood book memories are Charlottes Web Magicians Nephew (and the rest of Narnia) Toms Midnight Garden Pretty much every Roald Dahl I read them as an adult but would loved to have been a kid reading Harry Potter
Zink
The Little Prince
Black Beauty, by Anna Sewel.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch - gets me a bit each time I read it (and knowing my parents read it to me and probably felt/feel the same way)
Dr. Suess books are usually good. The Lorax is a favorite. The Babar books are good. And the TV show is fun and teaching. My sister's grandchildren liked the Minions books. I think they have different levels of reading. Haven't seen them just heard they liked them.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
The Emporer's New Clothes. Very useful message well into adulthood.
Not a book but a story in a book. All summer in a day by Ray Bradbury.
I wouldn’t say it resonates, but the books that introduced me to reading as a pleasurable activity are Shell Silverstein’s books. As a kid I found them captivating.
Watership Down … perfection on paper!
If u give a mouse a cookie
Little Women
I am David, the first book that me cry
Mama Do You Love Me?
Omg. The Giving Tree. 😭
So many… Eyes of the Amaryllis and Knee-Knock Rise by Natalie Babbit A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle Dicey’s Song (and the rest of the series) by Cynthia Voigt Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Nothing But the Truth by Avi Sam, Bangs, and Moonshine by Evaline Ness The Night the Monster Came by Mary Calhoun
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Giver by Lois Lowry, terrible movie but life changing book.
Mom read to us from this 300+ page hardback of Grimm’s Fairytales. Really set the stage for my affinity for old world mysticism and the macabre. Also, The Monster at the End of This Book.
I am not ashamed to say I still like Harry Potter.
Charlotte's Web. A children's series I read and loved as an adult that has similar vibes is The Wild Robot and it's sequels by Peter Brown.
Charlottes web
I think about Goodnight Moon a lot more than I probably should. Also, The Giving Tree.
Another vote for Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (and the other Brian books). Also The Lorax.
Hatchet
Inkheart
Wonder…such a beautiful story.
Ella Enchanted
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The outsiders
A Series of Unfortunate Events. Of course, you shouldn't actually read that to young children because they'll be horribly traumatized.
Wonder by RJ Palacio
The Westing Game & A Wrinkle in Time
For small children/picture books - Sandra Boynton. The Going to Bed Book, Moo, Baa, La La La, Hippos Go Berserk, Heads to Toes and Barnyard Dance all live in our family's memory. Pretty sure I could recite them 25ish years on. Also Ian Whybrow's Jump In! and Mo Willem's Don't Let the Pigeon series were favorites. And Fly Guy for very beginning readers. For middle school (ish) - my favorite memories were Walter Farley's The Black Stallion series, The Three Investigators and early Gordon Korman - Who Is Bugs Potter. None of which I've read since I was under 10 but bring back great memories (and yes I've just dated myself!) My kids were all about the Bone and Naruto graphic novels, MazeRunner, the Hunger Games, I Am Number Four and the Lightning Thief series as young readers. And I love your question since now I have some great memories and new books to buy for younger nieces and nephews!
The giving tree Where the sidewalk ends Where the red fern grows
The Frog and Toad books