
Today’s 10 Things list was put together by Renee Anne. An Australian artist, Renee compiled a list of great children’s novels she read as a young girl and considers to be worth of passing onto her kids someday. Renee also created a lovely print to share with you as well. You can see it below and even click here for a free printable version! Yay! You can see more of her work on her blog and in her Etsy Shop.
If you have your own idea for a great 10 Things list and want to put one together yourself, send me an email.
Ten great children’s novels for big & little kids - by Renee Anne
- The Witches – Roald Dahl
- The BFG – Roald Dahl
- The Twits – Roald Dahl – I know this list is a “top ten” and including three books by the same author seems a little unfair. But seriously. These three books would have to be the best books of my childhood. End of story. (But you agree don’t you?!)
- Goosebumps books – R.L. Stine – Sorry I don’t really have a specific title, but I think I read over 100 of these books. Pick one, and I am sure you will be spooked. I think the whole “I-am-being-naughty-because-I-am-reading-a-scary-book-how-tough-of-me” is the appeal of these books.
- Animorphs – K.A. Applegate – Again, other “series” style of book, so pick a title any title. I guess the romantic undertones in these books appealed to the teenager-hitting-puberty in me. And I mean, what could be sexier than boys and girls transforming into animals. Woah.
- Puberty Blues – Lette, Kathy / Carey, Gabrielle – Speaking of puberty, how could I pass up an opportunity to mention this one. For anyone under the age of 18, definitely a sneaky read for under the covers when parents aren’t looking. All I can say is, HOT!
- Tomorrow When the War Began – John Marsden – A book (and series) to appeal to your smarter side of the brain. This one extends into the “hard core grown up novel” category due to its thickness and smaller font. I felt very smart reading this one at a young age. Lots of great serious issues like war, love, family. Quite possibly my most favourite book ever? Could it be?
- Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter – Hang on, with all this seriousness, we best not forget one of the childhood classics. If I could say that anything subconsciously lead me to love illustration, this book would quite possibly be it. A beautiful classic.
- Quirky Tails! – Paul Jennings – Paul Jennings would take you places you thought no one talked or thought about. I always loved the “this is wrong but I want more” element.
- The Harry Potter Series – J.K Rowling – You thought I had forgotten hadn’t you. Like the way I started this list, I really really don’t think this one needs explanation. All around-best-book-series-ever. Seriously.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE PRINTABLE VERSION!








































5 Comments
I love all of the Roald Dahl books. My list would also include Pippi Longstocking and the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series. And for a slightly more sophisticated kid, the “His Dark Materials” trilogy by Philip Pullman.
One of my all time favorite books from when I was a child was The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
My favorite books to read to my daughter are all the Robert Munch books. They are really great and Fia loves them. I also love The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
Those are just a few of my favorites.
I love that someone else has read Tomorrow When the War Began. Such great books!
I’d just like to add the Gaia Girls & Midnighters series to the list. Both are great tween book series that I really enjoyed reading as an adult! (Only the first two Gaia Girls books are out yet though.)
Definitely love all the Roald Dahl books, the BFG was one my all time favorites.
Leave a Comment