It is often said that children have active imaginations, and nothing appeals to the imagination more than reading fiction.
Continuing from the Guide to Classic Children’s Literature, ranging from the ordinary to the extreme this diverse collection of twentieth century novels, stories, and poems offers something for all literary appetites.
A – Anne of Green Gables (1908) by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Red-headed adolescent orphan Anne “with an e” Shirley is sent to an aging brother and sister farmers in the Prince Edward Island community of Avonlea.
Since the death of her parents, Anne has been deprived of care and mistreated by a succession of foster families, causing her to escape into books and imagination. Although the Cuthbert siblings were expecting to adopt a boy, who would help with the farm, they decide to keep Anne, and soon come to love Anne as a daughter.
The intelligent and goodhearted Anne tends to get into trouble throughout the stories of the book, as she matures into a young woman.
B – The Borrowers (1952) by Mary Norton
This fantasy novel tells of the adventures and experiences of a family of tiny people, who live in the walls of a house owned by “big” humans, and borrow no longer wanted ordinary things to cleverly create a miniature home sweet home.
The popular and acclaimed novel was further followed by a series of novels featuring the same loveable characters.
C – Cheaper by the Dozen (1948) by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
This anecdotal book recounts amusing stories about the real-life Gilbreth family of the 1920s, and the methods used by efficiency-experts Frank and Lillian Gilbreth in raising their twelve children.
The brother and sister authors followed this book with a sequel entitled Belles On Their Toes (1950). Both popular books were adapted into motion pictures during the 1950s.
D – Dirty Beasts (1984) by Roald Dahl
Dahl is widely known for writing dark humor children’s novels such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda.
Similar to the typically surreal writings of Dahl, this collection of children’s poems tell the unusual behavior of a series of animals.
E – Eloise (1955) by Kay Thompson
Eloise is a mischievous small child, who resides in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The series of books, famously illustrated by Hilary Knight, record the misadventures of the “poor little rich girl,” who is left in the sole care of her nanny.
Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Hound of the Baskervilles, All Creatures Great and Small, and more…
Continuing with G-K Twentieth Century Children’s Literature, the pages of the following books tell of adventures from the schoolroom to the vet’s examination room, and from sickly farm animals to a ghostly mysterious dog, these varied stories have become enjoyed reading.
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