Top 10 Books for Kids – Children’s Classic Reads

We start with an enchanting story about Wilbur the farmyard pig and the relationship he has with a barn spider that goes by the name of Charlotte. When word gets out that Wilbur is in danger of ending up on the farmer’s plate, Charlotte does everything she can to save him. Without wanting to give too much away, she hatches a plan that involves getting creative with web design to persuade the farmer to spare Wilbur. You’ll have to read it cover to cover to see if it’s a plan that worked. A fabulous tale that deserves its place here.

Next, we look at a classic from one of the greats of children’s literature, Roald Dahl. The story follows a little girl with many hidden talents and special powers that has possibly the worst parents going. They’re rude, money-grabbing, and don’t seem to care too much about Matilda’s welfare, but Matilda is more than capable of looking after herself. The fun starts when Matilda crosses paths with a school bully who also happens to be a teacher called Miss Trunchbull. Terrorizing everyone in the class every day, it’s down to Matilda to teach this bully a lesson and Trunchbull gets much more than she bargained for. A wonderful read for adults and children alike.

Whilst this macabre novel by Thomas Harris would be equally at home in the horror section, the Silence of the Lambs also has a deeply intricate web of mystery and intrigue to it, as FBI agent Clarice Starling tries to track down a prolific serial killer named Buffalo Bill. The twist with this one is that she ends up having to enlist the help of deranged cannibal, Dr Hannibal Lecter. Experience the intense relationship between Starling and Lecter in this compelling tale of good versus evil. If you haven’t read this one before, we recommend you do!

The fantasy theme continues with our next entry, the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis which follows a group of 4 siblings that are sent to the countryside during the mass evacuation during World War Two. Exploring their new temporary home, the tale takes a funny turn when Lucy, the youngest of the group, finds a mysterious wardrobe. Looking inside, rather than finding the back of the wardrobe, as you would expect, it turns out to be a door to another world called Narnia. After meeting Mr Tumnus, a half man-half goat creature, she and her siblings encounter an incredible journey and battle an evil White Witch who’s turned Narnia into perpetual winter. A fantastic read with action on every page.

We’ve saved a space at the end of our list for a more modern tale that involves no fantasy or magical powers. It follows Greg, an 11-year-old school boy who’s finding middle school tough, with everyone in his year being bigger, taller and meaner than he is. The story is written through Greg’s diary and tells you all about the hazards of growing up before it feels that you’re quite ready to. Told in a funny and heart-warming way, complete with accompanying doodles, you’ll enjoy this one from start to finish.