The Best Kids’ Books Ever

New York Times ^ | July 4, 2009 | Nicholas D. Kristof

[reaganaut1]

...

A mountain of research points to a central lesson: Pry your kids away from the keyboard and the television this summer, and get them reading. Let me help by offering my list of the Best Children’s Books — Ever!

So here they are, in ascending order of difficulty, and I can vouch that these are also great to read aloud.

1. “Charlotte’s Web.” The story of the spider who saves her friend, the pig, is the kindest representation of an arthropod in literary history.

2. The Hardy Boys series. Yes, I hear the snickers. But I devoured them myself and have known so many kids for whom these were the books that got them excited about reading. The first in the series is weak, but “House on the Cliff” is a good opener. [...]

3. “Wind in the Willows.” [...]

4. The Freddy the Pig series. Published between 1927 and 1958, these 26 books are funny, beautifully written gems. [...]

5. The Alex Rider series. These are modern British spy thrillers [...]

6. The Harry Potter series. [...]

7. “Gentle Ben.” [...]

8. “Anne of Green Gables.” At a time when young ladies were supposed to be demure and decorative, Anne emerged to become one of the strongest and most memorable girls in literature.

9. “The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be.” [...]

10. “Little Lord Fauntleroy.” [...]

11. “On to Oregon.” [...]

12. “The Prince and the Pauper.” [...]

13. “Lad, a Dog” [...]

[conservative cat]

I loved Trixie Belden, too. I read about 3 Nancy Drew’s, but I owned all of the Trixie Belden, books.

[mathluv]

I had mine in a storeroom that flooded, so they are just a memory.

[wildlybamboozled]

Harry Potter, we all know who wrote those and what they’re about,

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, a series of fun and enjoyable books from and up to strong-willed princesses volunteering to work for dragons to eight-feet-tall blue floating donkeys. (that will be explained in time.) I enjoy them even at my age.

The Knights of the Silver Dragon by various authors. Again, fun books about three unlikely friends, Kellach, Driscoll, two brothers who are the sons of the chief of the police type people there, teaming up with Moira, daughter of the most disreputable but friendly thief in Curston, a bit of a thief herself.

I have some good memories about when I was really young with The Winnie of Pooh, although I don’t read them anymore. They teach basic morals as well as helping you learn reading and some tidbit information. Great for kids just learning to read or who like stories at night.