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The children’s book you remember best

(518 Posts)
MawtheMerrier Tue 22-Mar-22 09:36:25

There are so many wonderful children’s books these days, from The Gruffalo to Amelia Fang, Gangsta Granny to Alex Rider.
But is there one book which made a special impact on you as a child?
For me it will always be Charlotte’s Web. It was read to me when I had Scarlet Fever , maybe not the ideal choice as I cried and cried, but for me a story I will never forget.

MaggsMcG Wed 23-Mar-22 11:30:42

I couldn't possibly name one. I read so many books by so many authors from 7 to 16. One series that stood out for me was The Chalet Scool.

Ailidh Wed 23-Mar-22 11:31:52

Gosh, lots of these!

I think the one that had the most impact on me as a child was Black Beauty. I couldn't read it now because of the animal cruelty (that was the author's purpose to highlight) but at the time it seemed just right that BB had a happy ending and smug Ginger hadn't.

Altissimma Wed 23-Mar-22 11:32:49

Gosh, so many memories of lovely books! One of my earliest memories of a book that would be totally unthinkable now! It was Little Black Sambo and I know I loved it!

jane1956 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:33:59

loved the Malory Towers books and have to admit to buying the new series written by Pam Cox to see how good it was. She has smashed it writing about darells sister and their adventures.

geeljay Wed 23-Mar-22 11:34:53

Rupert the Bear. Loved reading him.

springishere Wed 23-Mar-22 11:34:55

"What Katy Did" and "What Katy Did Next". "Anne of Green Gables". All Angela Brazil.

Willow68 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:34:57

Mrs pepper pot, I still
Remember it being read to us in junior school …

Lindylou23 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:35:10

Heidi was given to me one Christmas, I have loved books ever since. Also all of Enid Blytons.

Mine Wed 23-Mar-22 11:35:47

Absolutely loved the Secret Seven series of books by Enid Blyton.....This started my lifelong journey of reading every night before I go to sleep....

Shandy57 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:36:51

I remember the mother in The Family from One End Street ironing and ruining the petticoat - it's the only bit I remember!

NotSpaghetti Wed 23-Mar-22 11:37:27

The Little Grey Men
by B.B.
The Wierdstone of Brisingamen
By Alan Garner
And
The Wizard of Earthsea
By Ursula le Guin

inishowen Wed 23-Mar-22 11:39:37

My first book was an illustrated book of The Waterbabies. I was 3 or 4 and it was a Sunday school prize. I loved it so much I tore the cover off as I was convinced there would be more pictures underneath.

Moggycuddler Wed 23-Mar-22 11:40:34

I remember The Phantom Tollbooth. And a lot of Enid Blyton books (now very non PC) and David Copperfield's animal stories. And My Friend Flicka.

Gin Wed 23-Mar-22 11:41:45

My sister has just reminded me how I loved the Dimsey books about a girls boarding school, I cannot remember thexauther. No idea whey they appealed to me!

Re ‘The Box of Delights by John Masefield’, such an imaginative captivating story, who remembers being enthralled by the pre Christmas radio dramatisation on Children’s Hour? It was spellbinding.

Ksb65 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:41:48

Famous five and Secret Seven by Enid Blyton. Also Kizzy, the orphaned traveller, Swallows and Amazons. These area few of mine. They paved the way for my love reading though out my life.

Memo777 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:42:21

I am so regret about it, but my childhood was absolutely close to the TV sad I just found this article essaylab.com/essays/the-effects-of-television-advertising-on-children/ where i understood all my bad Effects of Television on my childhood. But now i am reading a lot. And there is good book which i can recommend for every child. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by by Mark Twain. This novel break my heart, and i think every child will enjiy this book smile

grannybuy Wed 23-Mar-22 11:43:10

Loved all the Enid Blyton series, but moved on. What Katy Did, and Anne of Green Gables were my all time favourites though. I also enjoyed Malcolm Saville books, and the Chalet School ones. I could go on.

janipans Wed 23-Mar-22 11:44:34

When I was about 8 I had a huge book called "The Far East" and I treasured it. It was given to me just before we embarked of a 3 year stay in Singapore and it explained all the different peoples and cultures who lived in different parts of the world with lovely pictures. It "was lost" in transit - as were many things - (Mum and dad???) when we came back to the UK. I'd love to get a copy of that again.

When my kids were little (eldest will be 40 this year!) it was "The Quangle Wangles Hat" ... and I can still recite the whole thing!!! And actually, so can my eldest daughter as we did a Quangle Wangles Hat duet for my grandchildren not so long ago!

springishere Wed 23-Mar-22 11:46:10

I'm intrigued that no-one seems to have mentioned Beatrix Potter. I had never heard of her until buying books for my own children, so they were quite a revelation. Never heard of Arthur Ransome or C S Lewis either. All my reading as a child came from the local library and I raced through Just William and Enid Blyton. Popular but not classics there obviously.

Unigran4 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:47:15

My Mum never took much interest in my reading. I learnt to read quickly at school, but never had bedtime stories read to me. Then, one day when I was about 10 she suddenly said she had a book she thought I might like to read and produced "Anne of Green Gables". I dutifully began reading and was hooked! Even better when I finished it and she said the whole series was in the bookcase! That is my only memory of childhood reading until I went to senior school.

grannybuy Wed 23-Mar-22 11:47:55

Spring is here - you and I think alike.

Leedee Wed 23-Mar-22 11:49:28

Anne of green gables, this book was mentioned here before, it sparked my memory… there were a few editions, but managed to find the one of my younger years on eBay, read it through covid lock down, just as special now!

Socksandsocks01 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:49:58

I loved all of Enid Blyton. Was never away from library it was my escape. As an adult I loved Flat Stanley more than my son did. Haha

Lynda152 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:51:04

I have very fond memories of snuggling up to my Mum at bedtime and I would always ask for a book about Kandy the Koala bear. I would love to find a copy now. They were published in the 1950s and had brown covers with pictures. I think the books were illustrated by Mary Brooks who also did the Noddy illustrations I believe.

nahsma Wed 23-Mar-22 11:51:13

Pookie - I've never seen any copies except mine. It was a small series and I loved them. Also Heidi and the Arthur Ransome books when I was a bit older.