LaughingCat Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 If you could ONLY read (or have them read) 5 classic books to your kids from K-8 - what would they be? and as an addendum if you wish, what are the top 5 stories you think your child must know (by this I mean, know the general story but doesn't necessarily have to be in the original/classic format) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 The Wizard of Oz Alice in Wonderland Little Women A Christmas Carol The Hobbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobeknofret Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Wizard of Oz 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Beowulf Frankenstein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 The Odyssey (the Iliad can wait until 9-12) A Midsummer Night's Dream The Wizard of Oz The Phantom Tollbooth Harry Potter and the Philosophers' Stone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Wind in the Willows The Cricket in Times Square My Side of the Mountain The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Lassie Come Home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplemom Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Charlotte's Web Little Women A Christmas Carol maybe Pilgrim's Progress (or Little Pilgrim's a Progress, I will let you know after I actually read it in the next couple of years!) maybe To Kill A Mockingbird somewhere around 8th grade (this may need to wait for high school for some, I just remember reading it in 8th grade and being personally moved by the story) Decisions, decisions....it's hard to narrow down when I didn't read classics growing up. I enjoyed Charlotte's Web even as an adult reading it to my kids for the 1st time 2 years ago. I loved it so much I reread it to them just one year later. For stories maybe not in the classic format I would choose the summaries of MLK/civil rights movement, Helen Keller, and the story of Pocahontas or Squanto with early US history. I haven't made it to 5 must know stories yet, because my kids are still young and I am learning as I go along. You didn't ask about High School, but I was fascinated by the movie The King's Speech recently, and have newly planned that as a must know story before high school graduation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Not a classic, but . . . one we HIGHLY enjoy is A Year Down Yonder (by Richard Peck). It's by no means one of the top 5 classics in children's lit, but - at my kids' request, we listen to it at the kick-off of every single home school year, and still howl laughing and THEN have really meaningful discussions about character afterwards. <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonK Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Winnie-the-Pooh The Phantom Tollbooth The Hobbit Charlotte's Web The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe This is very tough. If I post again in an hour I might change my mind on one or two. :confused1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Assuming that they have already heard Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter: Charlotte's Web The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe The Hobbit Little House The Secret Garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 The Mysterious Adventures of Edward Tulane The Velveteen Rabbit The Secret Garden Heidi Harry Potter series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Winnie the Pooh --of all the books I have, I have made sure each of my children have at least heard this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 1 of the best Dickens novels, 2 major Shakespeare plays, The Odyssey, 1 book of collected great poetry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 K-8 is a huge age range, so I'm picking things that are meatier appeal to older kids if I only get to choose 5. The Odyssey Beowulf Lord of the Rings Series (they were written as one book) The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe I'll have to think about #5 and get back to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrale Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 This is tough so I will choose my son's favourites. He is an advanced 4 year old. So in the younger age range. Wizard of Oz Alice in Wonderland A Little Princess Little House Mr Popper's Penguins or Heidi or Charlotte's Web Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelleblue Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I agree with many already listed here, but want to add, Anne of Green Gables, since I didn't see it mentioned already, and it is a favorite of our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 One that hasn't been mentioned is Pinocchio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SierraNevada Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Why just five? Just to consternate us all for the day;) ? Little Britches Phantom Tollbooth Charlotte's Web Caddie Woodland Hobbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathie in VA Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 This is so timely for me as I'm looking for these great books to focus on this year. hmm this is difficult with a large age range ... and you asked two different questions stories that they should be at least familiar with (then again, hard to say as I haven't even read the originals...) Wizard of Oz Pinocchio Alice in Wonderland Charlotte's Web Little House For reading, I like: Winnie the Pooh Narnia Phantom Tollbooth Lord of the Rings Teddy's Button (Lamplighter books... also liked A Peep Behind the Scenes) <gonna hit post before I second guess this again!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 A Patchwork Child The Ship That Flew A Child's Garden of Verses Winnie The Pooh Bamboo Hats and a Rice Cake I know some of these may be unfamiliar to you, and that is the point. They are all special gems I would want the kids to be exposed to. Other gems already listed they will likely run across anyway (especially in my house), but these are too magical to chance. I'd also include Tall Tales like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Top three: The Little White Horse The Chestry Oak Understood Betsy Everything else: The 101 Dalmatians The Secret Garden I can't include the Chronicles of Narnia because that's a whole series, and I wouldn't want to stop with just The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, although I consider the whole series to be a must-read. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaughingCat Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Wow, great lists! I picked the number 5 because I normally give choice for read alouds - pick out of this pile. And yet I have along list of 'must reads' and those books are passed over again and again. I don't want to stop giving choice most times so I want to create a short list of 'must reads' to slip in every now and again. Plus I think 5 really makes me think about how important is it really. Here is my list (currently lol!): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe A Christmas Carol The Secret Garden Alice in Wonderland The Hobbit (tentatively) for stories, so far: Robin Hood Fairy Tales Greek Myths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprilleigh Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Only 5! That's so mean. LOL Charlie and the Chocolate Factory A Christmas Carol The Wizard of Oz The Hobbit Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 (edited) . Edited September 8, 2023 by SilverMoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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