Today is International Children’s Book Day (2 April) and, to mark it, we’ve been pondering our favourite children’s literature here at Your East Sussex HQ.
The sense of nostalgia has got the better of us and there’s been lots of reminiscing about the classic kids lit, perfect picture books and beautiful illustrations that captured our imaginations as children. For some of us there is the added dimension of reading books with our own children, bringing forward a whole new list of family favourites.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the Your East Sussex team’s favourite children’s books. Why not check them out yourself using the East Sussex library service?
Laura H’s choice: The Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh by AA Milne
“A classic with all your favourite furry friends – and I loved the map of the Hundred Acre Wood at the start of the book! Plus with the Ashdown Forest being right on our doorstep, a trip to go and play pooh sticks was always a treat!”
Phie’s choice: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
“I can put my love of reading down to the Harry Potter books that I read as a child. I waited eagerly for each book to be released, and would spend hours on end engrossed in their magic. Twenty years on I still love to re-read them and I can’t wait to share them with my own children in a couple of years’ time.”
and: You Choose by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt
“The You Choose series by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt have been the most fantastic discovery for my pre-school children. They’re beautifully illustrated and each page asks the reader one question such as ‘if you could go anywhere, where would you go?’ to encourage the development of ideas, language, imagination, questions and storytelling.”
Karen’s choice: Zog by Julia Donaldson
“Zog is a story by Julia Donaldson about a young dragon who tries to be the best student in dragon school, but things just keep going wrong. I love this book because it is full of positive messages for children. There’s accident-prone Zog who is desperate to do his best and, despite a series of set-backs, never gives up, and Princess Pearl who has turned her back on the traditional princess role and has ambitions of becoming a doctor. With its clever rhymes and amusing illustrations, it’s the perfect book to read to and with your child.”
Sam’s choice: Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough
“My children are slightly older now for this book but it was one of their favourites when they were younger. It’s a beautifully written and illustrated book about believing in yourself – it’s so lovely!”
Laura G’s choice: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
“I read this book as a teenager and it’s still one of my favourite books of all time. Pullman is a beautiful writer and he creates a totally believable world where you are immediately drawn into the adventures of Lyra and all the colourful characters she meets on her journey. Years after reading it, I still want my very own daemon.”
and: Matilda by Roald Dahl
“Matilda is one of those books I can open at any page and continue reading quite happily. Whether you’re five or 50, it’s hard not to love Dahl’s witty portrayal of the clever and feisty young Matilda, the formidable Trunchbull and the gentle Miss Honey. I read it with my daughter too now and it’s lovely to see her falling in love with it in the same way I did as a child.”
Listen to the E-audio here (read by Kate Winslet!)
If you’d like to discover some more great children’s books, why not check out our library collections? There’s a great group of read-along books, as well as this collection supporting Booktrust’s Bath Book Bed campaign.
We’d love to hear about what your favourite children’s books are! Let us know in the comments below so we can have a read.
