My Fave Kiddie Reads

As mentioned before, my mom has largely been fuel to the fire of my passion for reading. She loves finding books that I will enjoy, and most often she is right.

She was one of the people who contributed to me learning to read at such a young age; by teaching me to read the names of Snow White’s seven dwarfs (among others).

Thus, as hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, here is my Top Ten Childhood Faves:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Quite possibly the first book I remember taking out from the library (I assume age 6) and Dahl was possibly my first ever favourite author. The vivid imagery fueled my imagination and I quickly devoured his other books.

The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Adventure and survival definitely appealed to me. I devoured this book and its successors.

Animorphs Series by K.A. Applegate

These books scared me to death (they were likely the first books I read about aliens) and yet I could not put them down. I think the most annoying part was that my library did not have all of the books for some reason, so I never got to read some important parts in the series.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I think this may be the only classic I have ever read. My aunt brought it to me from the states and I recall enjoying it very much, despite the vocabulary being a little different to what I was used to.

Sweet Valley Twins by Francine Pascal

I always loved the idea of twins – in fact, when I was about four years old I asked my dad in front of many of his friends why he didn’t plant two seeds in mum’s tummy so that I could be part of a twin. I loved the trouble the twins got themselves into.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I was one of the first kids at my primary school (if not the first) who got hooked on Harry Potter. I enjoyed the escape that these books offered. I read the first four in Afrikaans though.

Malory Towers Series by Enid Blyton

Blyton’s books were entertaining in general, but the mischief at an all-girls’ boarding school appealed to me most.

A Patch of Blue by Elizabeth Kata

Perhaps one of the first books to inspire me – perhaps because my father, practically blind, also inspires me so much.

MEL by Liz Berry

I enjoyed A Patch of Blue because of my dad, and MEL because of my mom, a social worker. Again inspiring.

I am David by Anne Holm

History fascinated me for as long as I can remember. For some reason I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed Anne Frank. It made me sad, but I read it over and over again. That might be telling.