Today’s post is entirely inspired by books and stories I liked as a kid. I’ve been thinking about books for kids and young adults a lot lately because of a project I’m working on, and because I found A Wrinkle in Time at the used bookstore and I couldn’t resist buying an old favorite. Now, on to the books!
If you haven’t read this book, you should (it’s really short)! Maurice Sendak is just fabulous; the story is funny and the illustrations are perfect. Carol King made a musical version of this classic, and I must have listened to it hundreds of times.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Before I read the book (or even knew there was a book) I watched Shirley Temple play Sarah Crewe. I was in love with the story. Years later, the movie was remade (also great) and I read the book. My favorite part is when Sarah says:
I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us. Didn’t your father ever tell you that? Didn’t he?
Someday Angeline by Louis Sachar
I was a big Louis Sachar fan (Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes, Holes), and this book was particularly memorable. There’s this one part where the dad thinks Angeline’s teacher, Mr. Bone, is coming over to speak with him. He’s totally surprised when a woman, Ms. Turbone, shows up instead. I loved that. Still do.
Oh, Reading Rainbow was the best (it was just cancelled last year, unfortunately). I was always thrilled when the real kids talked about books that my mom let me get from book order (remember book order!?) or that I’d taken out of the library. It was a great show that got kids excited about reading and it taught us something while we watched it; that’s pretty cool.
Today’s question: What were your favorite books when you were a kid? Why’d you like them?
-April
Lost In Thoughts is a weekly series. I started this feature because I’m inspired by the amazing things I see on blogs and Etsy, and by family, friends, readers’ comments, and life. I don’t want to keep all of these wonderful finds to myself, so I gather them together on Thursdays to share with you.
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