25 Children's Books (and Series) that Adults Will Enjoy

A list like this is by its very nature subjective, and subject to criticism. People like different things. But I hope to stave off some of the criticism by pointing out that I'm not saying that these are the only children's books that adults will like. Or even the best ones. The idea is to provide a starting point. I welcome your feedback.

1. Watership Down by Richard Adams
2. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
3. The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs
4. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
5. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
6. The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
8. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
9. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
10. From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
11. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
12. The Narnia Books by C. S. Lewis
13. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
16. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
17. The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini (Eragon, Eldest)
18. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
19. The Complete Adventures of Curious George by Margaret and H. A. Rey
20. The Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling
21. Holes by Louis Sachar
22. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
23. The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
24. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
25. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Bonus book: As I started sharing this with people, several immediately complained about the absence of The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster. Since people never publish "top 26 lists", we'll just call it a bonus book.

I'll be starting an email newsletter on Children's Books for Adults sometime in the near future. It will contain further recommendations, as well as discussion by adults reader's of children's books. If you are interested in being notified when sign-up begins, send me an email.

(c) 2005 by Jennifer K. Robinson

Comments

[Dana Robinson]

The site looks great! And I love the Top 25 list, I agree with you 100%. Keep us the great work sis!

Dana

[Library Lady]

Like your list except for the "Inheritance" books, which are basically "Star Wars" with the names changed and a few fine details adjusted.

I'm NOT a literary purist--I've been reading fan fiction and its offshoots for (gulp) 30 years or so, but that doesn't mean I consider it to be quality fiction or want to put it in the library. In fact, I didn't even buy "Eldest" for my branch. The others have it, but I would rather spend my money on something GOOD!!!

[miranda]

I was going to write you a reply about how you can't actually GET "The Velvet Room": it was unavailable for a really long time. I think I finally paid about $60 for my copy.

However, now I see that it's available again.
Oh, how I wish I hadn't paid $60 for it several years ago! ;)

[Jen Robinson]

I have 3 copies of "The Velvet Room", Miranda, because I can never pass it up when I run across it in a used bookstore. They aren't fancy copies by any means, but I treasure them anyway. And I'm happy that it is available again. Thanks for the feedback!

[Shirley]

Great list! Good mix of genres to choose from. I'll say this - I love to read, both children's and adult books, and I never have enough time to read all the good ones.

Thanks for the help on the locating the next MUST-READ for my list.

[Becky]

I was thinking about tutoring online and ended up here with you. I just love this sight and can't wait to share..I am a lover of children's literature...esp. the Newberry winners. I am a certified teacher but got ill in the last few years and had to quit. I just miss it so much and it would be great to have to share my love of the many books I personally read, the ones I used in my classroom, and the books the students liked the most from K to Gr. 8...Chat with you soon and I hope I am understanding your site correctly...Becky in PA

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for visiting, Becky. I don't actually post reviews by other people on my blog, but I welcome comments. So, if you have feedback on any of the books that I've reviewed, I would certainly be interested to hear it. And I do link to tons of other blogs where children's books are discussed, too. Welcome!!

[Jane Glen]

This is my first visit to your site and I"ve added you to my Google Reader. As a teacher-libraian, part of my job is to read kid's books. And what a privilege that is. I often think of all the wonderful books adults are missing out on. I also review children's and young adults' books on my book blog and appreciate reading other points of view. I like your top 25 list- many of them are favourites of mine as well.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much for visiting, Jane! I've added you to my Google reader, too. I certainly agree with you about the joy of reading kids' books. There are so many great titles to choose from. This list represents a particular point in time from 3 years ago - I would doubtless change it today, though some of these books would still make the cut. Anyway, thanks so much for visiting!

[Heidi]

May I also suggest "The Great Brain" books. Adults will get a huge kick out of them too!

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for commenting, Heidi. I haven't re-read those as an adult (though I loved them when I was in elementary school). Glad to hear that they hold up well!