There is nothing like the feeling of diving into an incredible story that transports you to another world. It only takes one book to captivate a child and give them a love of reading that can last a lifetime but it’s finding that one book that can be the biggest challange.
I have complied my Top 10 children’s book that I feel can transport your child whether they read alone or you read aloud to them. Children up to the age of 11 should be read to everyday by an adult to support with their literacy development so I hope you and your child enjoy this list.
1. Little Women
Louisa May Alcott (1832-88) wrote Little Women in 1868. The story is of the four March sisters who couldn’t be more different. With their father away at war, and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on one another. They had such fun together but always wondered if their father would ever return home.
2. Madeline
Ludwig Bemelmans was a famous illustrator Author and painter. Madeline is a rhymed picture book about a Parisian schoolgirl who becomes the envy of her classmates when her appendix is removed. He write 15 children books in total and this one has wonderful illustrations.
3. Goodnight Mr Tom
Michelle Magorian wrote goodnight Mr Tom about an evacuee (will) leaving London and finding a new life in the countryside. This book goes far deeper than a simple story in the country and uncovers some harsh realities of Will’s childhood. It is a beautiful story.
4. The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett was published in 1909. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary but she is also horribly lonely. One day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years. When a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine.
5. The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis wrote a series of books the first being The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe published in 1950. It’s about four adventurous siblings―Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie― step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.
6. Charlotte’s Web
First published in 1952 by E.B. White Charlotte’s web is a poignant, humorous story of a pig, a spider and a little girl. Wilbur the pig’s life has already been saved by Fern, but when he is sold to her uncle, he realises his life is in even more danger. Enter Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider. Charlotte is determined to keep Wilbur from the chopping block, and comes up with an ingenious way to do just that.
7. The Magical Faraway Tree
The Enchanted Wood is the first magical story in the Faraway Tree series by the world’s best-loved children’s author, Enid Blyton. When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to a new home, an Enchanted Wood is on their doorstep. They take many adventures and meet many friends as they climb up the faraway tree.
8. The Borrowers
Written by Mary Norton in the 1950’s. The Borrowers live in the secret places of quiet old houses; behind the mantelpiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock. They own nothing, borrow everything, and think that human beings were invented just to do the dirty work. Arrietty was an only child her father broke the rule, and then something happened which changed their lives. She made friends with the human boy living in the house.
9. Swallows and Amazons
Written by Arthur Ransom in 1930. John, Susan, Titty and Roger sail their boat, Swallow, to a deserted island for a summer camping trip. Exploring and playing sailors is an adventure in itself but the island holds more excitement in store. Two fierce Amazon pirates, Nancy and Peggy, challenge them to war and a summer of battles and alliances ensues.
10. Stig of the Dump
Written by Clive King in 1963 about a solitary little boy called Barney who likes to go wandering off by himself. One day he is lying on the edge of a disused chalk-pit when it gives way and he lands in a sort of cave. Here he meets ‘somebody with a lot of shaggy hair and two bright black eyes’ wearing a rabbit skin and speaking in grunts. He names him Stig. Of course nobody believes Barney when he tells his family all about Stig, but for Barney cave-man Stig is totally real. They become great friends, learning each others ways and embarking on a series of unforgettable adventures.
I hope you enjoy diving into these books with your children, make wonderful memories, and help them fall in love with Reading.
Katie x
Adapted Learning 
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