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The Adventures of Pinocchio
was made famous by Walt Disney. However, the original by Carlo Collodi is much better than the later imitations. The adventure story of a wooden puppet who wants to be a boy,his misadventures, mistakes, and final victory have been enjoyed for generations. Nine year olds can read this, and younger children enjoy listening to the story.
The Long Winter
by Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of the popular "Little House" books. This story will remind those who take modern comforts for granted not to do so. The vivid picture of living through a series of unrelenting blizzards and running out of food will make our worst weather seem tame. Children ages eight and older will enjoy reading this book for themselves. Garth Williams illustrates this and all the "Little House" books.
Aesops Fables
is an excellent collection to add to any young person's library. These timeless " stories can be read and reread. Aesop offers practical wisdom and advice. The animals in the fables behave like people and give us the chance to see ourselves and others in an enlightened way. Readers aged eight to adult will read Aesop's Fables again and again.
The Door in the Wall
by Marguerite de Angeli is set in England during the Middle
Ages. The descriptions of knights, robbers, monks, servants and craftsmen give a delightful picture of life during those times. Robin, the hero of the story, loses his friends and family as well as the use of his legs. He is helped by a gentle monk to accept his troubles and find God's purpose for him. Eventually he gets a chance to act like a knight even though only a crippled boy. The reading level is for ages nine and up.
Lassie Come-Home
by Eric Knight is one of the finest dog stories available. Set in Scotland, the story tells of a boy whose faithful dog, Lassie, is sold to a difficult old man. A hard-hearted trainer cages Lassie and tries to break the dog's spirit. The dog's attempt to return home across 200 miles of countryside makes this an exciting adventure story. Readers nine to adult will enjoy this book.
A Little Princess
by Frances H. Burnett will be loved as much as her more famous book The Secret Garden. Girls especially will sympathize with the little girl, Sara, who loses her parents and her wealth. Sara finds herself working as a drudge in the girls' school where once she was the richest and most pampered of students. She decides that no matter what happens to her, she will be a "little princess" on the inside. Girls ten and up should read this book.
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