1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. 1937 BritLit kid fantasy adventure classic. Prequel to LOTR (and actually the only book of that series that I found truly enjoyable). A hobbit's journey and adventures with a wizard and dwarf troupe. Don't recommend the movie adaptations.

sturlington: My son preferred the graphic novel adaptation. The full text was a little too slow-going for him. He loves the movies.

sturlington: An all-time favorite.

aulsmith: Read as an adult and hated it.

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. Multiple award winner. The 1998 book that started it all, first of the 7-book series. Harry Potter learns he's to be a student wizard at Hogwarts and so escape his awful Muggle relatives. Despite the dire predicaments his new status brings him, he is buoyed up with new friends and a wizard mentor. If you read one, you'll end up reading them all ... aulsmith: You have this listed as recommended book #67. Perhaps you might wish to delete if from your list if you hate it?

: Has hidden messages of racism, antisemitism, segregation, etc.

aulsmith: I missed a lot of what this book was about as a child.

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. 1908 BritLit kid classic animal adventure story. Great fun for all. Equally appealing to boys & girls. Free ebook at Gutenberg.org. If you're buying a hard copy, get an edition with one of the best illustrators: Michael Hague, Inga Moore, Charles Van Sandwyk, Ernest H. Shepard

PitcherBooks: JF. 1963 Multiple Award-Winner. KidLit fantasy classic written & illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Naughty Max is sent to his bedroom. His bedroom transforms to a jungle and he sails to the Island of the Wild Things but then decides to return home. Equally appealing to boys & girls. Every kid needs a copy. Totally skip the horrendous movie.

PitcherBooks : An interesting adventure book & movie but wouldn't place it in my top 1000. No explanation by others on what makes this particular edition a must-read.

sturlington: Great adventure story that had both me and my son enthralled.

PitcherBooks : I know this is extremely popular tale of a rabbit society fantasy. Did nothing for me. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read. So tell me why you love it.

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. 1950 BritLit kid fantasy adventure classic. Equally appealing to both boys & girls. The first and best of the seven book Narnia series. ... Of course, if you or your particular kid doesn't like it, give it a thumbs down. "sturlington: I have read a lot of these books. I decided to use this list to track books I have read with my son. I'll thumbs down books I wouldn't read with my son or that didn't work for him." Which makes me discount most of sturlington's ratings and comments as limited and anecdotal.

sturlington: I have read a lot of these books. I decided to use this list to track books I have read with my son. I'll thumbs down books I wouldn't read with my son or that didn't work for him.

PitcherBooks : Fun PopLit but not a top 1000. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : I love SF&F and Le Guin. But this isn't on my top 1000 list. Why is it on yours? No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : One of the few books in which I found the movie more appealing than the book. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

aulsmith: Again a very adult book.

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. Politically-Correct CHILDREN's VERSIONS AVAILABLE. 1884 Kid classic adventure story. Sequel to Adventures of Tom Sawyer and just as entertaining. A childhood favorite. Free ebook at Gutenberg.org. I still recommend the original rather than re-write history. Discuss the book with your child after s/he reads it. .... Of course, if you or your particular kid doesn't like it, give it a thumbs down. "sturlington: I have read a lot of these books. I decided to use this list to track books I have read with my son. I'll thumbs down books I wouldn't read with my son or that didn't work for him." Which makes me discount most of sturlington's ratings and comments as limited and anecdotal.

sturlington : This is a great book that is appropriately introduced in college with the historical context to demonstrate its importance in the canon. Not a book I think a lot of children would understand or enjoy these days.

PitcherBooks: Multiple Award Winner. JF, YA, All Ages. After his family is murdered, a baby is raised to boyhood by the departed denizens of the local graveyard. Interesting concept. Fun read. Equally appealing to boys & girls.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read. I know it's popular but it didn't do a thing for me.

sturlington : For teens perhaps, but not children.

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. JF, YA, All Ages. CHILDREN's VERSIONS AVAILABLE. 1886 KidLit Historical Fiction Adventure Classic. A "Boy's Novel" but girls enjoy it too. A childhood favorite. Picture Book versions available for the younger set. Original Title: Kidnapped: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: How he was Kidnapped and Cast away; his Sufferings in a Desert Isle; his Journey in the Wild Highlands; his acquaintance with Alan Breck Stewart and other notorious Highland Jacobites; with all that he Suffered at the hands of his Uncle, Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws, falsely so-called. Free ebook at Gutenberg.org. ... Of course, if you or your particular kid doesn't like it, give it a thumbs down. "sturlington: I have read a lot of these books. I decided to use this list to track books I have read with my son. I'll thumbs down books I wouldn't read with my son or that didn't work for him." Which makes me discount most of sturlington's ratings and comments as limited and anecdotal.

PitcherBooks : Fun PopLit but not a top 1000 read. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

sturlington: Love the Edward Gorey illustrations.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

sturlington: We listened to the audio version. Great.

sturlington : I really hate reading this book aloud.

aulsmith: I don't think this book is for children. It's actually about very adult things.

PitcherBooks : Definitely not JF but fine for YA. I think the moderator needs to make clear whether s/he considers YA part of children's books or not.

sturlington : Best introduced at the earliest in the teen years.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

sturlington: This is just a beautifully written and illustrated book. A favorite.

PitcherBooks : Just another PopLit genre series. I enjoyed Shan's City trilogy better but even so not a top 1000 must-read. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top pick.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read.

aulsmith: Nesbit was one of the first writers of domestic fantasy. I had a lot of trouble finding them as a child and would hate to have them disappear again.

PitcherBooks : E. Nesbit was never a favorite of mine but she has many fans. All of her books are in public domain and free downloads are available at: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=e.+nesbit http://manybooks.net/authors/nesbite.html

sturlington: I found portrayals of girls and Indians a little troubling. My son enjoyed this and requested a reading of the sequel.

cej1027: Except the last chapter, which you can skip most/all of.

sturlington: Really beautiful picture book and a terrific story.

PitcherBooks : I know Pullman's a popular author but no explanation from anyone on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a must-read. Having read it, I don't place it in my top 1000.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

PitcherBooks : Not a top 1000 read by me. No explanation on what makes this particular edition a top 1000 must-read for the world.

sturlington: A lot of fun to read aloud. My son loves it.

PitcherBooks: JF. PictureBook. Humor Classic. An absolutely wonderful pairing of author and illustrator. Heide set this trilogy in the 1970s-1980s (unlike Edward Gorey's preferred Edwardian era) but demonstrates her own brand of wry, understated, off-the-wall wit that shows she's a master of comedic writing in her own right. Each book is an absurdly deadpan little gem of surreal humor and fantasy. The hero of all three books is a young boy named Treehorn. Each book takes "a day in the life" wherein, despite the total mundanity of Treehorn's young life, a fantastic and inexplicable magic event occurs to him which he must figure out (ah, the mystery!). He always seeks his parent's insight first but, alas, his very busy parents barely notice him or his predicaments. Treehorn appears so used to his parent's bland and blatant though benign neglect of him that he does not fuss or pout but accepts it as the normal course of his life and goes calmly about his business. 1. The Shrinking of Treehorn. The poor lad wakes up one day and discovers he can no longer reach a shelf in his closet and his clothes are now all too large. Hmm. Mom? Too bad, dear, I hope this cake doesn't fall. His parent's take when they finally do notice? Why would our son want to do that? And everyday he's a touch smaller. His best friend's opinion is that shrinking is a stupid thing to do. On the school bus, in class, during recess, at the Principal's office ~ no one gets excited over this startling turn of events. Least of all, Treehorn. Of course, he eventually figures out the wonderful bit of whimsy which is both the cause and the cure. (But I'm not gonna ruin it for you :-) 2. Treehorn's Treasure. Treehorn thoroughly enjoys comic books and the treasures listed in them that can be purchased with a coupon and a bit of change. Come to think of it, Dad owes him his allowance today. Does he? Dad is all about adages and proverbs. Save your money, son, it doesn't grow on trees. Reluctantly, Treehorn agrees. And deposits his dollar bill in a hole in their backyard tree for safe-keeping. Apparently a dollar bill placed in the interior of a tree will inspire it to quickly produce leaves that look just like dollar bills. Treehorn notices that some are ripe for the picking while other are still growing. Of course, he mentions this in turn to his mother, the house painter, the candy shop clerk, his Aunt Bertha and his father to little notice. A phlegmatic bunch to say the least. However, $26 buys a lot of comic books and candy. All good things must come to an end. How, when and why? Does it matter? Treehorn lives in the moment, takes life as it comes, has no regrets ... and a bunch of new comics :-) 3. Treehorn's Wish. It's Treehorn's birthday and hope springs eternal. He clears a space in his closet, just in case, to store all the many presents he might receive. He might get a TV today. Dad has to pay bills. Mom has to buy a new hat. Treehorn wonders if his parents might have a dog or a horse for him. When he heads outside to check all he finds is an old dirty jug. As he cleans it, a genie appears who Treehorn mistakes for the meter reader. His first wish... a birthday cake. Voila. And he has two more. Decisions, decisions. As usual, he shares the story of the genie and his pending wishes with all and sundry to little avail. Treehorn's tales of the marvelous are consistently and bizarrely underwhelming to his listeners. And therein lies the humor. Delightful reads all :-) ... Not a list duplicate, Sturlington, please check again. This is a boxed trilogy.

sturlington : List duplicate

PitcherBooks: JF, YA, All Ages. 1812 Swiss KidLit Adventure Classic. A Swiss family (Mom, Dad & 4 boys) shipwrecks in the tropical East Indies en route to Australia. The family scavenges the shipwreck to build a wonderful tree house and make a great life for themselves on their island. Some quibble over the improbable collection of plants and animals on the island but it's still a great adventure story. A childhood favorite. Picture Book versions available for the younger set. Free ebook at Gutenberg.org. .... Of course, if you or your particular kid doesn't like it, give it a thumbs down. "sturlington: I have read a lot of these books. I decided to use this list to track books I have read with my son. I'll thumbs down books I wouldn't read with my son or that didn't work for him." Which makes me discount most of sturlington's ratings and comments as limited and anecdotal.