Some you know, some you don’t, some you should… All are literary masterpieces that kids of all ages can appreciate, courtesy of wonderful British authors.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
First published in 1968, this short children’s story is adorable and lovable. The meat of the plot is in the title, really. It’s about a little girl named Sophie, who, while enjoying tea with her mum in the kitchen, is joined by a tiger, who eats and drinks everything. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Kerr herself and is just a fun story to read with the wee ones. It’s actually one of the bestselling children’s books of all time.
Available at chapters.indigo.ca for $10.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
This one’s a wonderful classic, no? Officially published in 1902, this book was widely used to convince little ones to listen to their mothers. It’s a tale about a mischievous Peter Rabbit who, against his widowed mother’s wishes, sneaks into the garden of the evil Mr. McGregor to munch on some vegetables and is caught in quite the pickle while he’s at it. Ah, Mr. McGregor, the nightmare of all children. This book is a gem of not only children’s literature but also British literature as a whole. A definite must-read for the kids.
Available at chapters.indigo.ca for $9.
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The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
This one is a relative newcomer to the world of children’s literature, published only in 1999. It’s a clever tale of a cunning mouse who escapes being eaten by several woodland animals by threatening them with a made up creature named the Gruffalo (half grizzy bear, half buffalo). All goes well until the little mouse encounters a real gruffalo. It’s funny, colourful and well written. Younger kids will definitely enjoy it, and you’ll be amused too!
Available at chapters.indigo.ca for $10.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
This 1972 heroic fantasy novel contains so much depth and richness, it’s bursting at the seams. Centred on a culture of rabbits with their own folklore, language and customs, the story’s been characterized as “the Aeneid of the rabbits” due to its epic poetry traits. It tells a story of a rabbit named Fiver, who foresees the destruction of his warren and sets out to find another home with his brother, Hazel, and a small group of the willing. Danger and hostility follow them, of course. It’s a great book with phenomenal writing and is permeated with philosophical concepts. An older child will probably love it a bit more than petite ones will, but young kids will still enjoy it as well. Fun fact: The title refers to Watership Down in Hampshire, England, the area where the author grew up.
Available at chapters.indigo.ca for $14.
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