Great Books for Kids - Pre-schoolers to Teens
Christmas Gift Ideas for Children Who Love Reading
Nov 12, 2008
Books are a wonderful aid to kids learning, and the very best books for kids instill a lifelong love of the written word. Here are a few recommendations for great books to read with your children, along with gripping adventure stories for older children. Books they can read by themselves, in the old fashioned way, with a torch under the bed covers.
Good Books for Kids
Recommended reading from favorites old and new.
Dr Seuss (Approx Age 3+)
Reading books to children is an absolute joy thanks to Dr Seuss. These books may have been written fifty years ago, but the tongue twisting poetry is still a pleasure to read out loud. And very funny too. Dr Seuss' simple tales can also be deceptively educational. Kids learn about peace and tolerance, for instance, in The Sneetches, whilst still giggling at all the silliness.
- Green Eggs and Ham
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- The Cat in the Hat
- The Sneetches and Other Stories
- Horton Hatches the Egg
Shirley Hughes (Approx Age 3 -8)
Shirley Hughes books are beautifully written and illustrated and sometimes (particularly Dogger) so moving that parents might need to sneak a tissue to their eyes whist reading them.
- Dogger
- Alfie's Feet
- Alfie Gets In First
- Alfie Wins a Prize
Lauren Child (Approx Age 4 -8 )
Lauren Child's books are like a modern twist on Shirley Hughes – focusing on the same everyday occurrences in children's lives, but with a more dreamy, other-worldly quality that is emphasized by Child's remarkable illustrations. Her Charlie and Lola series is simply wonderful, with dual appeal for boys and girls.
- My Uncle is a Hunkle
- Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton Trent
- But Excuse Me That is My Book
- We Honestly Can Look After Your Dog
- My Wobbly Tooth Must Not Ever Fall Out
Roald Dahl (Approx Age 5+)
Roald Dahl's stories have a universal, magical appeal.
- James and the Giant Peach
- The BFG
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Fantastic Mr Fox
- Matilda
Books For Older Children
For older children, there are the gripping adventures of Harry Potter, of course, in JK Rowlings ubiquitous series of books. There's also the wonderful Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz which focus on the adventures of a teenage super-spy. And for the girls, the marvelous Skulduggery Pleasant books by Derek Landy should prove thoroughly entertaining. They're all about a 12 yr old sorceress who fights against evil with the help of a wise-cracking detective skeleton.
With so much choice, kids are bound to find at least one book they truly love. With a little luck, it might just be the one that Santa brings them this year.
Further reading: For more great gift ideas check out Top Toys of the Year or Best Toys for Boys or Most Wanted Christmas Toys for Girls.
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