If you were a reader as a child, you treasure many stories in your heart and mind. And you may notice that today’s children don’t know the old classics unless they’ve been made into a movie. So while they may be aware of Winnie and Pooh and Stuart Little, they’ve probably never heard of many of the stories we enjoyed as children.
Who better to introduce them to the adventures and delights of well-written older books than you? Here are some older titles (ancient in your grandchildren’s view) you may want to read aloud with your grandkids. Choose a time when they’re with you for an extended time or when they visit on a regular basis. They’ll be clamoring for the “next chapter.”
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, written in 1908. This is the story of four animal friends and all their adventures on the bank of a river in the English Countryside.
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink, written in 1935. Follow the story of an eleven-year-old tomboy growing up on the Wisconsin frontier.
The Borrowers by Mary Norton, written in 1953. Meet a family of miniature people living in the floorboards of an old country home, right along with the humans living overhead.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, written in 1987. In this adventure a young boy survives a plane crash and is stranded alone on a wooded island.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, written in 1989. This is the story of ten-year-old AnneMarie who helps shelter her Jewish friend during the German occupation of Denmark.
For complete lists of classic children’s literature see the following:
Wikipedia List of Children’s Classics
