Like many kids, Charlie and Olive love being read to, but now that they’re getting older I hope to cultivate an independent love for reading in them. The first two children’s novels I read to Charlie were Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlotte’s Web when he was 5. Now he’s old enough (7) to read novels on his own, and that means introducing him to some of my favorite childhood books and series is just around the corner! Whenever the kids ask me to buy them something, I’m going to require a book report.

I’m sure many of these titles, series and authors are nostalgic for you as well!

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The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar – Anything by “the world’s #1 storyteller” Roald Dahl is a winner. It’s no wonder that so many of his books have also been made into movies including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Witches, and Danny the Champion of the World. One of my favorite lesser known Roald Dahl books is The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar, which consists of 7 short stories, each more fabulously unbelievable than the one before it. I read this book so many times as a child, and I can’t wait to introduce it to Charlie.

The Far Side – I loved The Far Side and I could easily reread any of them today. Charlie loved The Essential Calvin and Hobbes and has always been a fan of the comic strip/graphic novel genre, but I think 7 is probably a little too young to get all the brilliant humor in The Far Side just yet.

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Choose Your Own Adventure – These books are still available and I can’t wait to get some!

The Neverending Story – I remember watching the movie version when I was 5 years old and my life was changed. The book is darker and for an older audience than the movie. For my Harry Potter loving son, this fantastic tale of magic and adventure is just up his alley.

Where the Red Fern Grows – This is one of my all-time favorite childhood books and I remember crying when I first read it. I know Olive, in particular, will love this book because she loves dogs as much as I do. It is equally heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time and stays with you forever.

Ramona – Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby series is a childhood classic and one of the first children’s novels I read. I’m sure many kids can relate to Ramona and the everyday challenges she faces as a younger sibling, starting a new school, bullies and more. Dear Mr. Henshaw is another Cleary classic that is not to be missed after the Ramona series.

101 Dalmations – I probably read this book at least 50 times because I loved dogs so much. This version by Dodie Smith is a little different from the Disney movie versions, and has a much more detailed story focusing on the dalmations. A must read for the little dog lover in your life!

Pippi Longstocking – We have a Swedish nanny and one of the kids’ closest friends is Swedish, so they are learning about all things Swedish — Ikea! Abba! H&M! and author of Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren. Who didn’t love Pippi — a strong, smart and funny little girl living alone with a horse and a monkey!

Nancy Drew – Nancy Drew was a smart, brave, young detective who could solve any case. I borrowed every single book in the series from the library and then moved onto The Hardy Boys, though I never loved them as much as I did Nancy Drew because I loved strong female protagonists. Since Charlie enjoyed The Magic Treehouse series so much, I think he would like these sleuthing stories as well. Other popular detective series I never got around to reading that might also be great include Encyclopedia Brown and Nate the Great.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret – I was first introduced to Judy Blume through her hilarious Fudge series. But it was her books targeted to tween girls that had the biggest impact on me. It was eye-opening to read about things like religion and boobs and periods in Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and then about sex in Forever. Are You There God? is a coming of age classic that I’ll be giving to a tween Olive!

Anne of Green Gables – What little girl didn’t love this series about the life of an orphan named Anne who comes to live at Green Gables? This timeless classic is over 100 years old, and I would love to reread it as an adult!

The Babysitter’s Club – Several of The Babysitter’s Club books have been republished as graphic novels, and given that my children enjoy that format, I’m excited to check them out. I love that each of the girls have distinct personalities and strong friendships with one another.

A Little Princess – I instantly fell in love with this book when I first read it (and reread many times) in fourth grade. The 1995 movie version is a stunning adaptation. I subsequently read Frances Hodges Burnett’s other classic, The Secret Garden, and fell in love with that as well. Both books, over 100  years old, are beautifully written and still remain fresh today.

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What books from your childhood are you excited to share with your kids?