I love reading books to my kids. And though there are many amazing ones these days, there’s something so magical about classics for kids. The gone-by world, the soft, slow-paced plotlines full of great themes, the emphasis on nature and adventures and outside play, all of that is something I want for my kids, the kind of childhood I want to give them.
So, as you can imagine, we go through a lot of these. And below I’ve rounded up the classic books my children have loved best, the ones they enjoyed the most. I hope you have fun with them too!
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley, an imaginative and spirited orphan, is mistakenly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert on their farm in Prince Edward Island. Although they originally intended to adopt a boy, Anne gradually wins them over with her lively personality, endless imagination, and determination. My eldest daughter absolutely loved Anne, and I cannot wait to continue with the series as she grows older. I would recommend this book for kids who are nine or older, though I personally read it at eight and was a big fan.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary Lennox is a lonely and spoiled orphan who is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy English manor after her parents die. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden and begins restoring it with the help of her new friend Dickon. When Mary also discovers her sickly cousin Colin, the children work together to bring the garden and their own lives back to health. We got the new graphic novel so my middle and youngest could enjoy and follow as well, and it was an amazing experience to read together.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
This is one of the most heartwarming stories you’ll ever read. In it, a spider named Charlotte works very hard to save a pig named Wilbur from slaughter. It’s all about friendship, loyalty, and saying goodbye, and it’s suitable for just about everyone. I read this to my daughter when she was 7, and she really liked it, so I would recommend trying it out for kids that age.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
You probably already know this story, but if you haven’t read the book, give it a try, you won’t regret it. It’s a story about four very different sisters, whose father is at war and their mother working to support the family. So they build a world of their own and this book follows them as they grow up and apart into their different fates. We’re going through Little Women little by little (heh) but both my eldest and my middle love it very much for different reasons.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Mole, Rat, Badger, and the reckless but charming Mr. Toad live in the English countryside. Their adventures range from peaceful days by the river to wild escapades caused by Toad’s obsession with motorcars. When Toad’s reckless behavior lands him in serious trouble, his friends must come together to help him reclaim his home and learn some responsibility.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Heidi was one of my favorite books when I was a child and I loved sharing it with my kids. A cheerful orphan girl is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps and she quickly grows to love the mountains, her grandfather, and her friendship with the local goatherd Peter. When she is taken to Frankfurt to keep a lonely, disabled girl named Clara company, Heidi struggles to adjust to city life and longs to return to the Alps.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain records her life in a journal while living with her eccentric family in a crumbling English castle. When the wealthy American Cotton family inherits a nearby estate, Cassandra and her siblings become entangled in their world, bringing romance, jealousy, and new possibilities into their lives.
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Silas Marner is a lonely weaver who becomes a bitter recluse after being falsely accused of a crime and betrayed by his closest friend. Living in isolation, Silas finds comfort in the gold he secretly saves until it is stolen from him. His life changes when a young orphan girl, Eppie, comes into his care, helping him rediscover love, trust, and a sense of belonging.
Final Thoughts
These have been my absolute favorite classic books for young readers. My own kids love them; the eldest is partial to Heidi, the middle one to Pippi Longstocking, and the youngest is still a baby who doesn’t quite care yet. But love of reading is a wonderful thing to cultivate in your children from a young age, and trust me, they’ll appreciate it (well, some day if not right now).
