World Book Day is back and to celebrate we are reflecting on some of the most famous children’s reads
It is that time of the year again when we get to celebrate illustrators, authors, books and, of course, reading for an entire day. Yes, World Book Day (WBD) is here!
WBD encourages children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. With the arrival of this noteworthy occasion, we couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about the fantastic places books took us to when we were children.
So, sit back, relax and take a trip down memory lane with our pick of the top nine childhood books.
1. Paddington Bear
You may have recently seen this marmalade sandwich-lover make a pretty realistic appearance on our screens. However, our furry friend first appeared in A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond in 1958. Paddington sets out on an adventure from his home in darkest Peru to London. Along the way, the Brown family discover him lost at Paddington station – the location he is later named after – along with a tag saying “please look after this bear.” So, they welcome him into their family the same way many children have as they read about this bear. Bond has written more than 20 books featuring Paddington.
2. Famous Five
Remember Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy (yes, the dog) who took us on exciting adventures when we were kids? One of the most iconic childhood series by Enid Blyton features a group of five friends – a group we all longed to be a part of – who go on adventures together. Set in their summer holidays, the five do everything from camping in the countryside to discovering lost treasure on an island. Throughout her series of 21 books, which started captivating audiences in 1942, Blyton brings every child’s imagination to life. No wonder kids – and adults – still love these adventures today. In fact, Ladybird released humorous parody titles aimed at adults such as Five on Brexit Island in 2016.
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“I’ve got a golden ticket” – when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was first published in 1964, little did author Roald Dahl know how popular this line would become – to the point where it is now instantly recognised by millions. The timeless classic sends the young Charlie Bucket on an adventure inside Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory following his discovery of one of five golden tickets which were placed in Wonka Chocolate Bars. The tale of a fantastic journey which becomes the envy of every child who reads it – did you ever open a chocolate bar and wish you would be magically transported into a world of chocolate?
4. The Gruffalo
Written by prize-winning author Julia Donaldson, The Gruffalo features a mouse going on a stroll through a deep dark forest where he encounters a range of woodland animals, but most scarily – a Gruffalo! The excitable fear this book generates in the pit of your stomach was brought to life by award-winning illustrator Axel Scheffler. First published in 1999, it has since sold over 13.5 million copies worldwide and been translated into 60 languages.
5. Make way for Noddy
Fictional wooden doll Noddy, or rather the boy in the little red and yellow car, was first introduced to children by Enid Blyton in the 1949’s Noddy Goes to Toyland. Running away from the woodcarver, Noddy makes a new life for himself in Toyland. Along the way, we meet the likes of the wise Big Ears and Noddy’s best friend Tessie Bear as well as market stall seller Dinah Doll. Noddy was later made into a television adaptation from which he is most recognisable today.
6. The Wizard of Oz
Originally published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz follows Kansas-born Dorothy along the yellow brick road and into the land of Oz where she makes friends with a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who desires a heart and a Lion searching for courage from the powerful Oz. Together they fight the Wicked Witch of the West to fulfill Dorothy’s own wish to find her way home. Though we may not have realised it at the time, as children we learnt a lot from this story about the importance of bravery, love, knowledge and most of all that “there’s no place like home”. Now, more commonly known as The Wizard of Oz, it continues to enchant audiences and has been re-created as a film and musical.
7. Winnie-the-Pooh
“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.
Winnie-the-Pooh volume, A.A. Milne
Warming words uttered by another lovable bear who continues to capture the hearts of children through tales worthily named after himself. If Pooh bear isn’t off exploring with his best buddy Piglet, or getting stuck in a tree on his search for honey in the Hundred Acre Wood, then he is probably seeking advice from wise Owl or at home in Pooh Corner. He first struck fame in A.A. Milne’s 1926 classic with the second volume The House at Pooh Corner continuing the wonderful world of Winnie-the-Pooh in 1928. A.A. Milne’s own son was the basis of the fictional boy, and friend to Pooh, Christopher Robin in the stories and in two books of poems. Winnie-the-Pooh: The Best Bear in All the World was published two years ago to mark the series 90th anniversary.
8. Mr Men and Little Miss
From Mr Happy and Mr Greedy to Mr Messy and Mr Lazy, there was a Mr Men character we could all relate to as children throughout this hit series of 50 children’s books. Mr Tickle became the first to make his way to the page and they have been bookshelf favourites for over four decades. The Little Miss range closely followed with 42 more amusing and lively stories by the same author which introduced us to the female characters like Little Miss Naughty and Little Miss Princess. British author Roger Hargreaves has been entertaining children with these colourful tales shaped by personality traits since 1971.
9. All of Dr Seuss
There have been so many wonderfully unusual and successful stories written by Dr Seuss that we couldn’t just pick one! The American author has written about the strangest of things under his pen name, which children’s imaginations seem to thrive off! The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Green Eggs and Ham and Horton Hears a Who are amongst the most popular. All told in rhyme with eye-catching artwork, the range has been translated into 30 languages. Nearly 30 years after his death, Seuss’ iconic characters are a lasting influence on generations of children and adults.
