The Secret garden (1911) tells the story of orphaned Mary Lennox who comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors and finds it full of strange secrets. The hous eis full of locked rooms and she rarely catches a glimpse of her uncle. Most frightening of all, she hears the sound of somone crying at night. She spends her days exploring the garden and longs to find out what is beind the mysterious walled-in, locked garden. So, what happens when she finds a key?
Our favourite classic books for children
Pride and Prejudice is the classic novel by Jane Austen. It was first published in 1813 and since then has become one of the most lauded and cherished books in the English language. The story follows the Bennet sisters and their rather silly mother as they try to deal with issues of manners, upbringing, love and marriage in 19th century England. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy is one of the most famous of love stories and one which your teen will devour.
Beatrix Potter's tales have been enchanting generations of children with their charming illustrations and cautionary tales of naughty animals. The complete woks include such favourites as The tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Two bad Mice, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck and The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse.
This is the first novel in the famed series, The Chronicles of Narnia (1950. The novel is set during World War II and follows the Pevensie siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy who are sent to live with Professor Kirke in the English countryside. While they explore the Professor’s house, Lucy uncovers a wardrobe that leads into Narnia, a mystical world of talking animals and magical creatures.
Little Women (1868) is a coming of age drama that focuses on the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March.
J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel is a classic and sure to be popular with your young bookworm. The Hobbit is a great read-aloud for parents to share with children aged 8 and older. The Hobbit follows the journey of hobbit Bilbo Baggins who loves his home-comforts but finds himself on a dangerous journey in a bid to win a share of the treasure guarded by a fire-breathing dragon.
Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908 and since then has been beloved by children of all ages. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to take in an orphan boy to help them on the farm, but they never imagine they will end up with a girl called Anne Shirley. Anne is a fiesty redhead with a terrific imagination and a knack for getting herself into trouble. Anne manages to charm her new guardians and most of the town of Avonlea.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the children's novel that was turned into that very famous film, and was published in 1900. The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy in the Land of Oz, after she is swept away from her home in Kansas with her dog Toto.
The idea of Peter Pan as the boy who couldn't grow up has become a timeless symbol of childhood. Written in 1911 it tells the tale of a cheeky little boy who has the ability to fly, his adventures on the island of Neverland who can fly, and his adventures on the island of Neverland with Wendy and her brothers, the fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys and the infamous pirate captain Hook. This really is a book that appeals to all ages.
This collection of classic fairy tales is a must for any budding young bookworm inlcuding some of the most beloved of the Grimm's fairy tales, such as such as "Snow White", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Hansel and Gretel. The fairy-tales originate from Germany and were first published in 1812. This collection makes the perfect introduction to children's literature.
