My girls LOVE to read. Honeybun and I often argue because I won’t just let her sit up in her room and read all day (I’m an even meaner mommy now because I make her do other things like play outside and eat!) And I love that they are eager readers and I don’t want to change that for anything in the world but we often argue about what they should be reading.
I don’t usually tell them what to read (or what not to read) but I have to admit that since starting our homeschooling journey, figuring out what books my kids should read in their lives has been difficult. I have scoured the internet for a list of the best books for kids and have come up empty-handed.
We go to the library regularly and I allow each of the older kids to pick pretty much any books they want (though I do usually require them to pick at least a few non-fiction books each visit) and when there a few days ago I spotted a bunch of colorful pages titled “Favorite Books” and divided into different age/grade levels and I was so excited. Finally, the list of best books for kids I’d been dreaming of!
I began looking them over when we got home and was instantly disappointed. Not only was I unfamiliar with most of the titles (aside from a few that are part of popular series or some of the toddler/preschool ones) but I didn’t even recognize any of the authors!
The list of best books for kids that I’m envisioning is full of the latest fad stories about popular culture or series with little substance, I want a list that encompasses the BEST books for kids that every child needs to read. The books that I read. The books that my parents read. The books that have stuck with me, changed who I am, the books that created me, the person. Books like The Giver, Heidi, Bridge to Terabithia, The Giving Tree, The BFG, The Cat in the Hat and The Boxcar Children (book 1). Books that have stood the test of time and are still good.
So I’ve given up on my search for a magic list of the best books for kids that I’ve been imagining and have decided to create my own. And that is where I need some help. I don’t remember all the great books I read. I don’t know which ones I may have missed growing up but that my children shouldn’t (and that I’m certainly not too old to love now!)
So if you’ve got a love for reading great classic literature like I do, then help me out and let’s create our own list of the best books for kids!
I’ve created a form where you can fill in your favorite children’s books (any and all ages welcome!) which I will then compile into a list over time. There is room on the form for 6 books and 3 series but feel free to fill out the form as many times as you need to get all your favorites on there! In addition to the list I’ll be adding in some of the “why this book is great” comments so if you’re a fellow blogger or business owner, leave your link at the bottom of the form and I’ll be happy to link back to you if I quote your selections!
Best Books for Kids Form
Pin it!
