Twelve Classic Children’s Books That Aren’t Just For The Under-Twelves

Ever read a book when you were a kid and then re-read it years later? Today is International Children’s Book Day and to mark the event we have put together a list of our favourite children’s books that are not just for the kids... Be honest, we’ve all read these again in our adulthood.

1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Possibly one of the greatest classics of all time, The Secret Garden revolves around the story of Mary Lennox, a little girl who is moved to her uncles’ house in Yorkshire following the death of her parents. With time on her hands and little attention paid to her by anyone in the house, Mary discovers the beautiful gardens surrounding the Estate. Her uncle has kept a Secret Garden from her and when she discovers the key, begins to tend the garden. However, the garden is not the only secret her uncle has kept.

2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The novel follows the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, four sisters who are growing up with their mother while their father is away at war. The book is based loosely on Alcott’s home life with her three sisters, her health issues the reflection for the character of Beth. Little Women demands revisits and it will make you sob. We are warning you... You might need to put that book in the freezer.

3. The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

One particular Her.ie staff member who we shall not name on this occasion was particularly disgusted when it took her one year to finish The Lord of the Rings while her younger sibling, who was still attending school, flew through The Hobbit in a matter of weeks. Tolkien’s imagination knew no bounds, creating civilizations and even languages for his wonderful characters. The trilogy and its prequel are simply essential reading.

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

It was too difficult to choose any one of the amazing Harry Potter series, so we have just included all of them. The classic fantasy novels about the world of a young school-going wizard could easily rival any of the amazing Tolkien novels. To create a universe so rich in detail and character is an unbelievable achievement and Rowling pulls it off ridiculously well, so well in fact that even the films found it difficult to eclipse their source.

5. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Well, if you weren’t crying with Little Women, the tears are going to come with Charlotte’s Web! The beautiful innocent work by E.B. White tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. Poor Wilbur has been lined up for dinner along the way, but Charlotte writes messages in her web every day that convinces the farmer the pig may be smarter than he thinks. The amazing illustrations ensure the book is the masterpiece many consider it to be...

6. The BFG by Roald Dahl

It would be nearly impossible to just pick out any of Roald Dahl’s books (just read all of them, ever) but the BFG is one of the favourites here at Her.ie towers. The plot is about a little girl named Sophie who cannot fall asleep one night and is carried off by a giant who reaches in her window and takes her to Giant Land. Named after Dahl's own granddaughter, the beautiful tale has gathered a huge fan base over the years of adults and children alike.

7. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Dating back to 1865, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland really fits the classic credentials. After falling down a rabbit hole, Alice finds herself in a different world and encounters the strangest creatures. The novel itself has been hugely influential over the years and has amassed wonderful film adaptations like the animation from Disney.

8. The Narnia Books by C.S. Lewis

Although the big screen adaptations were impressive but not brilliant, nothing compares to the original Narnia books. Having sold over 100 million copies worldwide, the seven books in the series have been named as some of the greatest classics of all time. Set in the fictional land of Narnia, the story revolves around various children who play important parts in the history of that world.

9. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Contrary to popular belief, the original Wizard of Oz book was part of a series of thirteen books created by author L. Frank Baum. The stunning piece of literature has gone on to become films and musicals and even a TV series. Set in the wonderful land of Oz where Dorothy finds herself after a hurricane, the book follows the young girl’s adventures as she travels through the land, meeting the strangest of people. The book also serves as a political allegory with each of the characters representing a different industry, like the Tin Man stands for Industrialisation.

10. The Giver by Lois Lowry

A modern American masterpiece, The Giver tells the story of Jonah who lives in Utopian society which is controlled by a council. No person has a memory of what has occurred before, the world has no colour and there are only flat surfaces throughout the land. Jonah has been selected by the Council to inherit the memories of the past but when he begins to learn of the world that existed before, he is not sure if he agrees with the world in which he exists.

11. Under the Hawthorn Tree by Marita Conlon McKenna

It’s fair to say that everyone, everyone, that went to primary school in Ireland has read Under the Hawthorn Tree, the heartbreaking tale of three children and how they will survive during Famine times. The siblings, Eily, Michael and Peggy, leave their family home after their parents do not return in the hopes of finding their aunt and possibly some food. Eily tries to keep the family together and prevent them from being admitted to the dreaded work house. There is no question here, Under the Hawthorn Tree is essential reading.

12. The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton

Arguably one of the greatest children’s authors of all time, it was difficult to pick just one Enid Blyton book for the list, but we had to include the Famous Five Series. Revolving around Julie, Dick, Ann, George and Timmy the dog (we know you are humming the theme now), the books were a series of adventures for the young investigative team. Blyton eventually wrote 21 books in the entire series, the famous sisters and brother combo spent years solving mysteries on their school holidays.