For our latest on site poll we quizzed you for some recommendations on children’s books that have a good message for adults too. We counted almost a thousand replies and from those we have a list of 50 children’s books all adults should read.
Of course we don’t want to dictate what you should read, but from your votes we have a list of fifty children’s books that you recommended! We’re sure many of you will have your own suggestions too, feel free to add them in the comments.
The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The book with the most votes, by far is The Little Prince. There’s good reason why it’s the world’s most translated book and it clearly strikes a chord with many of you.
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
The Giving Tree from poet Shel Silverstein is a beautiful lesson in giving and love, written for children with a message that can be appreciated by adults too.
Harry Potter Series – J. K Rowling
The tale of the boy wizard is loved by all ages, through the generations. Harry Potter is a personal favourite of both myself and my children and many of you think adults would love it too.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone US
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone UK
The Velveteen Rabbit – Margery Williams
The Velveteen Rabbit is so loved, he’s had his fur all rubbed off but it’s this that makes him real in this beautiful story, perfect for all ages.
Oh the Places You’ll Go – Dr Seuss
Every child needs to know that they have the whole world in front of them, but sometimes adults need to hear it too! This was one of several Seuss books recommended for this poll.
The Chronicles of Narnia – C. S Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was a favourite of mine as a child and this perfect tale of love and morals is perfect at any age, with many of you agreeing.
Anne of Green Gables – L. M Montgomery
Anne with an E was always a favourite of mine and even as an adult this lovely book series is well worth a revisit.
Wonder – R. J Palacio
Wonder is a beautiful story of acceptance, about a boy with a serious facial disfigurement. Currently being adapted for movie, it’s one of those stories with lessons for adults too.
The Secret Garden -Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is classic children’s literature that really does appeal to all ages. Despite being written over a hundred years ago it’s full of plenty of lessons for today too.
Charlotte’s Web – E. B White
Charlotte’s Web is a beautiful story about an anthropomorphised pig and spider, and while it might be written for children it’s a beautiful story about love, loss, and the meaning of life.
Winnie the Pooh – A. A. Milne
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Caroll
Watership Down – Richard Adams
The Lorax – Dr Seuss
A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
Where the Red Fern Grows – Wilson Rawles
The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Graeme
Not Now Bernard – David McKee
The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster
Matilda – Roald Dahl
The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton
Are you There God, it’s me Margaret – Judy Blume
The Giver – Lois Lowry
Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo
Where the Sidewalk Ends – Shel Silverstein
Love You Forever – Robert Munsch
Little Women – Louise May Alcott
Little House Series – Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch
The Wizard of Oz – Frank Baum
Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
Ferdinand the Bull – Munro Leaf
Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain
13 Reasons Why – Jay Asher
A Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crocket Johnson
Out of My Mind – Sharon Draper
The Butter Battle Book – Dr Seuss
Danny Champion of the World – Roald Dahl
A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket
Pippi Longstocking – Astrid Lingred
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Coraline – Neil Gaiman
A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness
Haroun and the Sea of Stories -Salman Rushdie
When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit – Judith Kerr
10 of 2024’s Most Anticipated Reads
The For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2023
Are You Willing to Unite Against Book Bans?
Roald Dahl Censorship Creates Grotesque Versions of Classics
For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2022
Love this list, but where is your creator of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-duck, Beatrix Potter?