Contrary to popular beliefs, being a kid can be highly difficult sometimes. There are many activities that kids have to incorporate into their lives, like adhering to daily routines, doing homework, developing new habits, and whatnot! Nevertheless, being a kid brings us joy and lets us celebrate even the smallest of achievements. One of these achievements is the development of good habits. Developing good habits from a very early age is crucial as these habits help kids become better adults. And reading is one such habit. To become a person who is informed and enlightened, reading is one of the fundamental habits that kids must incorporate into their lives. There is a long list of books that every kid must read. So, where to start from? Don’t worry! we have got your back. We have created a list of books (children’s edition) that every kid must read. Reading has many benefits. It is known to increase knowledge bank and strengthen vocabulary and literary skills. In addition to these benefits, there are other numerous benefits kids gain when they start reading regularly. For example, it instills a sense of empathy, enhances attention span, and improves memory, creativity, and imagination. Few kids might find it difficult initially to develop a regular habit of reading as they prefer audio and visuals over text. However, once motivated, kids start loving their daily reading routine and reap the benefit of this highly fruitful habit.
Here are 10 books that every kid must read between the age of 6 to 12 should read to heighten their interest in reading books and explore the imaginative worlds.
1. Alice in Wonderland
Written by Lewis Carroll, the story follows Alice Kingsleigh as she begins her journey of exploring a whimsical topsy-turvy world by falling into a Rabbit hole. In the wonderland, she encounters and befriends fabulous and different inhabitants. Her journey in the wonderland takes a turn for the unexpected when she becomes aware of her destiny to end the tyrannical reign of the Red Queen. What happens next sets the plot for the story. Alice in wonderland is jam-packed with morals and open to the reader’s interpretation. It is fun-filled, creative, and inspiring. This is why every kid should read Alice in wonderland.
2. Pippi Longstocking
It is a series of books penned by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. The books take you through the adventures of Pippi Longstocking, a redhead who is a playful, imaginative, and strong girl. She constantly looks out for adventures and possesses the courage to explore the unknown by herself. She truly loves herself and exudes confidence in places where it is needed the most, and kids can learn a lot from this quality of Pippi. It is truly remarkable how she celebrates even the little things in her life and cherishes her companions in her journey of adventure- her pet monkey, pet horse, and two best friends, Annika and Tommy. This book tells about the importance of independence, self-realization, friendship, generosity and playfulness.
3. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Written by Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is about Mr. Popper, who is a painter and lives with his wife and two children. He is an avid dreamer and often reads and thinks about explorers and their expeditions to faraway places. The book explores his adventures with his 12 penguins and how he fulfills his dream of visiting a polar destination with Admiral Drake. The silly antics of the troop of Mr. Popper’s penguins will delight the kids as the story is full of entertaining gimmicks. The adventures of Mr.Popper and his penguins will bind kids from the beginning. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is one good read to include in kids’ lists as it teaches about the sense of responsibility and the power of hope.
4. Emil and the Detectives
Written by German author Erich Kästner, Emil and the detectives follows the journey of ten-year-old Emil, who is visiting Berlin by train. During his journey, he comes across a pickpocket and gets his money stolen by him. What follows next is a cat and mouse chase, that ends up with various surprises. During his pursuit, Emil befriends many people and solves the mystery associated with the pickpocket. The novel is humorous, mysterious, and full of structural quirks. This book is a must-read for kids as it will make the kids go through and develop an understanding of fleeting emotions, conscientiousness, solidarity, and the power of goodness.
5. A Long Way From Chicago Series
This novel series focuses on the adventures of two siblings, Joey and Mary from Chicago, who visit their grandmother every summer holiday. Written by Richard Peck, A long way from Chicago takes place between 1929 to 1935. The theme of the novel is family, relationships, and growing up. Every kid should include this series in their reading list as it offers lessons about life’s realities and different creative ways to deal with them. These venturesome tales of Mary and Joey will teach kids the importance of never giving up in the gravest situations.
6. The Little Prince
Primitively written in French by aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The little prince is a story about friendships and the intricacies of human relationships. The story is about a little boy called The Prince, who is from the planet Asteroid 325. He becomes friends with the narrator of this story, who happens to be a pilot from Earth. What unfolds next is an adventurous ride that helps the little prince unravel the mysteries of human nature. The best thing about this novel is the representation of relationships, appreciation of responsibilities, and beauty of exploration. Undoubtedly, kids can learn a great deal about the importance and value of relationships through this novel.
7. Charlotte’s Web
A story centered on the theme of loyalty and friendship, Charlotte’s Web is a children’s book written by American author E.B White. This story is so heartfelt that it will stay with the kids as they grow up. Here, animals are the ‘heroes’ of this story who will make kids believe in the possibility of magic. The protagonists of this story are Wilbur, a livestock pig, and Charlotte, a barn spider. The wholehearted tale of how Charlotte saves Wilbur’s life and does not expect anything in return will teach kids about the quality of selflessness and the importance of true friendships. Charlotte’s web is a story that emphasizes the significance of attributes like courage, kindness, loyalty, and love and must be a part of kids’ reading lists.
8. Tom’s Midnight Garden
A personal favorite, Tom’s Midnight Garden is a fantasy novel by Philippa Pearce. The protagonist of the story, Tom, is a young boy who lives with his aunt and uncle and travels back in time at night. He travels to a magical, mysterious garden where he befriends a little girl called hatty. Along with Hatty, Tom explores the magical and mysterious world and understands the true meaning of friendship and the sense of belongingness. This novel should be a part of kids’ reading lists as it is full of imagination and mysteries. This novel teaches the importance of time in one’s life and often displays instances of warmth and friendliness. The story of Tom teaches us that friendship is beyond time, age and gender.
9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This novel tells the heartwarming and quirky tale of friendship between Charlie Bucket and secretive Willy Wonka. The book by British author Roald Dahl is funny, virtuous (in parts!), and straight out of fairy tales. Charlie lives in poverty and wishes for a better life for his family. His wish for a miracle comes true when he finds a golden ticket that will give him access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. What unravels next is a series of adventurous blunders and a wholesome experience for Charlie. This novel should be a part of kids’ reading lists as it teaches a lot about the importance of never giving up, optimism, Karma, gratefulness, and bravery.
10. Winnie the Pooh
Written by A.A. Milne, the theme of this book is long-lasting friendships. This novel consists of different chapters with an episodic narrative structure. Every chapter has a new story that tells the tale of Pooh bear and his friends Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Eeyore, Rabbit, and Tigger. Pooh is a goofy bear who often finds himself stuck in sticky situations, and with the help of his friends, he finds unique solutions to problems. Kids can learn the importance of having good friends, believing in themselves, unity in diversity, and kindness.
