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| Grandson Jacob reading a storybook |
The dictionary defines 'classic' as something of enduring significance. In literature, a classic work is generally considered to be of the highest excellence ~ a work recognized as definitive in its field.
In the field of children's books, there are dozens of stories whose origins go back many years and are still considered favorites today.
- If you were to go back to ancient times, probably the most well-known is 'Aesop's Fables'.
- In the early 1700s, the most famous stories today remain 'Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Crusoe, and the Tales of Mother Goose.
- Nineteenth century writers brought us more than four dozen stories considered 'classics' to this day, such as The Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, Black Beauty, Heidi and Little Women.
Here's a few modern children's classics from 20th century authors that are most special to me... and some fascinating facts about the authors.
Winnie-the-Pooh... and Friends!
A.A. Milne's beloved Winnie-the-Pooh character has been delighting children since 1926. The author's son, Christopher, was the inspiration for Pooh Bear's buddy, Christopher Robin. I loved these stories so much that I even named my first-born son Christopher.
The author began his Pooh Bear stories initially just to entertain his son ... and they became 'words of wisdom' and expressions of love & affection for generations of children.
For over 90 years, Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have delighted each generation of children... and, of course, the grown ups who get to read the stories to little ones...
“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have."
~A.A. Milne
Dr. Seuss' Favorite Cat!
It's the "Cat in the Hat" of course!
The Cat in the Hat changed the way our children learn how to read with fun rhyming words.
How the 'Cat-in-the-Hat' Came About
Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) wrote 'The Cat in the Hat' in 1957 at the request of the educational division of Houghton Mifflin publishers who were looking for a more entertaining primer for early childhood literacy because the current ones (such as the Dick and Jane series) were ineffective.
Geisel tells the story of being frustrated with the word list from which he could choose words to write his story, so he decided to scan the list and create a story based on the first two words he found that rhymed. The words he found were cat and hat.
Bambi
Of all the classic stories made famous by Disney, Bambi is the best. I watched the Bambi movie as a child, then took my children to see it. Now my children take my grandchildren. Both the Bambi storybooks and the movie are truly classics.
Since 1942, Bambi and his friends Thumper the Rabbit and Flower the Skunk have been animation favorites, one of the 10 best animation classics of all time.
The story was originally adapted for film from the book "Bambi, a Life in the Woods" written by Felix Salten in 1923.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams – 1922
“Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you.'
― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
This is the story of a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real through the love of his owner. I think it's one of the sweetest fairy tales ever written.
Check out this special 75th Anniversary edition of the Velveteen Rabbit with its original story and artwork of a classic tale first told in 1922.
According to an online poll taken in 2007, this book is one of the National Education Association's "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children.
Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey
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"This is George. He lived in Africa.
He was a good little monkey, and always very curious."
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With these words, the tales of a curious monkey named George began.....
The story was written by Margret Rey and illustrated by H.A. Rey. As wartime approached France, the couple fled Paris in June 1940, on self-made bicycles, carrying the Curious George manuscript with them.
The Curious George series of books have been adapted into several television series and films and each book has been in continuous print since first published.
Classic Children's' Tales
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| Grandsons Tyler & David - reading! |
Whether reading a classic tale or any favorite story, children everywhere love books. My two youngest grandchildren, David (6) and Tyler (18 months) enjoy reading every day.
For more reviews of children's books, check out
(c) Published 11/28/15. By Wednesday Elf
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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