As a child, my mother loved reading to us. Not just simple picture books, but real chapter books. She loved the classics, especially British literature, and simply could not resist sharing these stories with us that meant so much to her. She continues to do this even now with my younger siblings. I do not think she will ever fail to choke up at the end of a beautiful story and have to pause before continuing her reading.
This habit inspired a love of books and early independence in reading with me. I am still obsessed with good stories, beautiful descriptions, and strong characters. I even believe that my mind has been shaped by this constant exposure to rich, culture-shaping stories. Reading to your child is an amazing habit that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. I promise it is not impossible and is worth the effort. Here are five amazing stories to get started with as you learn how to cultivate this habit.
The Ramona Series
“But also, as you go through life, you pick up shreds of things, and eventually you can fit them together” Beverly Cleary’s popular series was a fun and easy read. I transitioned quickly from being read the books by my mother to reading them myself. They were fun, easy, and simple, a great beginner for someone who wants a light read for their child.
Ramona is a happy-go-lucky, normal young girl. Her biggest problems go from having the plague of a big sister she does to more heavy topics like her dad losing his job. The maturity level she expresses and views her problems with is perfectly applicable to her age and an excellent introduction to harder topics for young audiences. Much of the story is simply watching her have fun or occasionally misbehave and bear the consequences. An easy, relatable series, it is perfect for young children.
The Chronicles of Narnia
“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.” My mother would read this series to us every summer. We all have read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. It is the ultimate classic. But are you as familiar with Prince Caspian’s journeys or the stories surrounding the Silver Chair? I grew to know these stories better than my own hands. They enriched my imagination and kept me entertained on long rainy days.
This series is rich with meaning. But if you stop at the first book, you lose a lot of it. It is meant to be one, comprehensive story. It is also perfect to read to children. The colorful, magical setting and characters that are introduced speak directly to a child’s imagination. The talking animals and children active in the story are right at home with a young kid’s mind. C. S. Lewis, as always, speaks with a tone that is relatable and hard to question. And these stories are rich with allegorical meaning. Even if a child cannot understand this deeper side right away, they will have these stories surface in the future as they grow in maturity. It is one of the best teachings on the relationship between God and man.
Anne of Green Gables
“Dear old world’, she murmured, ‘you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.” Especially as a girl, this book completely delighted me and I read it several times on my own after my mother read it to us. Anne’s sad origin story caught my interest and the way she brought so much joy into the world despite these hard experiences she had endured made me fall in love with her as many have since her publication. Her imaginative language and unique personality resonated with me greatly.
This book is an excellent lesson on behavior for children. It is a great example of keeping joy and positivity even in dire circumstances. And yet it also shows that it is ok to be upset sometimes. Anne feels emotions deeply and while she never fails to look on the bright side, she can get quite upset about the things that are important to her. Having a flighty personality, she can make little mistakes accidentally quite often. However, she “never makes the same mistake twice” and is a great example of fixing someone’s mistakes. It is a very uplifting story because of this.
Alice In Wonderland
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.” I have carried on the tradition with this one (a personal favorite) and read it to my siblings myself. It is another fun, imagination-raising one. It is also a little shorter, making it great for those just starting the practice of reading to their children. Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a world of nonsense. The characters seem to have none of her classic, British logic and instead enjoy running around making confusing situations for Alice to fall into.
The book is full of double meanings, riddles, and quips. It is an excellent way to introduce wordplay to your children. They will get many of the jokes that Alice never understands. It is guaranteed to make somebody laugh at any point. And you may find that parts of the story make more sense to your kids, surrounded by a world of imagination and strange assumptions, than it does to you. They will be delighted with the fun twists and turns.
The Hobbit
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near him.” I think this may be my mother’s favorite. There is something to be said for a book known all over the world with three movies to its name. However, you probably do not hear this used as a bedtime story for children often. While I would suggest that it is better suited for kids who are a little older, it is perfect to be read aloud to young people. The imaginative world and wise-cracking language are excellent for entertaining them.
This book is a great one to grow attention spans and increase the mind. Its long, descriptive passages and clever words require your mind to work and see what is happening. The story is uplifting and in many ways similar to real life. The characters face a long, tiring journey toward a specific goal. They face many obstacles along the way but find that their greatest hindrance towards harmony with each other and finding the treasure is their own temptations. Does this not sound like something we all go through?
These books hold many special memories for me. Their stories have stuck with me through many years and various stages of life. I pray that they do the same for your children. They are imaginative, entertaining, and carry valuable life lessons. Your children’s minds and hearts will be forced to grow with all of the delightful stories they hear. Your relationship with your child will strengthen considerably as you share these special experiences. I hope you enjoy the gifts of language well together.