The Best Kids' Books Ever?

[sdelmonte]

On Saturday, NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff, in an effort to encourage kids to read during summer vacation, presented his list of the best kids's books ever. By which he means books for kids who can read, as opposed to picture books. His list strikes me as a bit pedestrian (though is there any chance that any list of this sort will not include Harry Potter any time between now and 2100?). Wisely, he invites readers to make their own suggestions at his blog, which over 2,000 have done so far.

Personally, I think that any list of this sort needs The Phantom Tollbooth and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. I would throw in the Young Wizards series (which I am only making my way through now). And I don't care if Kristoff left off picture books - I have to include the collected works of Maurice Sendak and William Steig.

Given who reads my blog, I am sure that many of you have your own opinions. So feel free to opine here. Or go to Kristoff's blog and tell him directly what you think.

Comments

[kali921.livejournal.com]

Wow, almost NO books with girls as lead characters or with PoC in any prominent role. What a white and male-centric list. And no books teaching kids about the wonderful diversity of flora and fauna on the planet? And no SFF?! No A Wrinkle in Time?


I'd recommend Margaret Wise's unforgettable Wait Till the Moon is Full - that is probably the book that made me want to go out and read on my own as a little girl. It's a lovely tale about a baby raccoon and his mother, and the tales she tells him each night.

What about the Babar books and the Nancy Drew series? Babar is problematic, though, because a sophisticated kid will probably get that they don't date well in terms of post-colonial theory. But the anti-hunting stance in the early books is a powerful one.

Ferdinand the Bull is another childhood favorite of mine. And the Richard Scarry Busytown books! Talk about being fun, hilarious, AND educational. I read them to my little brother constantly.