This post originally ran February 16, 2010
When pulling together my after-school book club lists, I made sure to include plenty of my childhood favorites. I thought it would be especially fun to share these classics with young readers starting to form their own opinions about literature. And the chance to discuss books that shaped my childhood with my own boy was too special to pass up.
This month, the third grade read HENRY AND RIBSY. Fourth and fifth-grade read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK. It has been such a delight to return to these books I read several times in childhood and again in college (while studying to become a teacher and beginning to toy with the idea of writing myself).
I loved reading again about the earnest hard work of Henry Huggins, his sweet relationship with his dog, and those silly Quimby neighbors. Beverly Cleary writes in a voice fully connected with childhood.
Those of you who’ve known me forever (or just since the beginning of this blog) know I have a soft spot for the Ingalls family. I love the loyalty, hard work, love, hope, and gratitude that run through all the Little House books. All those difficult things their family experiences, and they still make it work somehow. As one of my book clubbers said, “They’re so nice. No matter what happens, they’re hopeful.”
I’ve coined a new phrase for those old titles we keep returning to: Comfort Books. What are yours?
We’re Beverly Cleary fans, too. We have two of her books on cd: Henry Huggins (read by Niel Patrick Harris) and The Mouse and the Motorcycle (read by William Roberts). Listening to those stories during a long car trip is like settling in with a good friend. The other audiobook we love is The Indian in the Cupboard read by the author, Lynn Reid Banks. Definitely comfort books for our family.
The Princess and the Goblin, Follow My Leader, and Inkheart. 🙂
My all time favorite comfort book is Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell.
It’s very “in” right now for my generation to ask for books as shower gifts when they are pregnant. If the sex is known, I always buy girls The Secret Garden and boys Stuart Little. I rarely give easy readers (32 page children’s books) to expecting parents. Those are not the books that will truly shape their children.
Sherrie, Beverly Cleary is a great road trip author. Every time I read or listen, I’m astounded by her understanding of and sympathy for the young. Have you ever listened to anything by Daniel Pinkwater? His books are hilarious and great for long trips.
Shannon, you know how I feel about FOLLOW MY LEADER. I think I’ll have to re-read this year.
Lauren, I love THE SECRET GARDEN and STUART LITTLE. I actually read TSG with my St. Matt’s after-school book club last year (sixth and seventh grade). They loved it and made some amazing comparisons between Mary, the garden, and Collin.
I also love giving books for new moms. There are a handful of picture books I love giving: anything by Phyllis Root or Lisa Wheeler, to name a few. Many of my friends have also received THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH. I just can’t help giving the book I adore so much.
Shannon, I read THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN while I was going through a tough time, and I’ll never forget a line from the story that spoke so clearly to me:
“I must be content with being misunderstood.”
So often I want to explain my situation to others. If what I’m doing is right, this should be enough. I gained a lot of strength from this idea. Thanks, George MacDonald!
Oooh, comfort books. I’ve definitely returned to THE SECRET GARDEN several times. Also the Narnia books. And Edward Eager’s books are some of my all-time favorites — their magic and humor are so cozy.
Cold Nights, Fast Trails by Dave Olsen is one of the few books I’ve read over and over as an adult. I used to re-read books all the time as a kid though – Island of the Blue Dolphins, Clan of the Cave Bear, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and possibly my all time favourite – TARZAN by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Read the whole series. Also his other series – though, not as good.
Sonia, we’re reading THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER as a family right now.
Terry, you’re the second person to mention ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS to me recently. I have to confess, I never made it through this book as a kid. In college I tried again and liked it. I love survival stories, but this one took some work for me.
THE SECRET GARDEN, definitely. I have to re-read that periodically. But I also love SNOW TREASURE.
And I haven’t thought about FOLLOW MY LEADER in years — I remember how much I loved it. Thanks, Shannon and Caroline, for the reminder.
That settles it: I’m re-reading FOLLOW MY LEADER this year. Anyone else care to join me?
Great description of the book. I loved THE SECRET GARDEN and SHADOW CASTLE.
Joanne and Natalie: I’ve never heard of your comfort books but have just looked both up. Now I’ll have to find them at the library. Thanks!
I always loved the Ingalls books too. A few years ago, a guy told me, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I totally see you as Caroline from Little House on the Prairie.” He could not have given me a bigger compliment. 🙂
The books I read ragged as a kid were Jacob Have I Loved and A Summer to Die, and when I was younger, Katie Kittenheart, Bettina’s Secret, and Striped Ice Cream, all of which, I think, are out of print. All of A Kind Family, too… the list could go on. 🙂
Heidi, I didn’t discover Katherine Paterson until college. She’s been my idol ever since. I’ve seen her speak several times, sent her gushy fan mail, and even entered her Hunger Mountain contest, just so she’d read my words.
A Summer to Die sounds familiar, and you know how I feel about the All of a Kind Family. Now I must hunt down these others you mention…
Just thought of another great comfort book: BLUE WILLOW by Doris Gates. I still have my old hardcover that’s falling apart.
And, yes! I’ll gladly re-read FOLLOW MY LEADER. Gotta dig it out, but it’s here somewhere.
For me, it’s the Anne of Green Gable series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. God, I love those books so much. Specifically, Anne of the Island is my favorite, because it resolves a storyline that I like to see resolved, but for a you-have-to-earn-your-happiness I like Rilla of Ingleside.
I also have a habit of revisting old Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley books when I am really, really not feeling well. The last time I had the flu I went through the entire oeuvre of BSC Super Specials that I found in a box in my attic. 🙂
Constance, I’m a huge LMM fan! Rainbow Valley was one of my favorites. Have you read the Emily books? The Story Girl and Pat books?
My absolute favorite LMM books are her journals. Not always happy and not easy to find, but brilliant. I’m planning on re-reading this year.
Henry Huggins! I loved Henry and I’d forgotten all about him. I lived in books when I was a kid. #1 were the Narnia books. Also loved the Secret Garden and A Little Princess. And the Oz books. And Little House. And a wonderful book called At the Back of the North Wind by the guy who wrote the Princess and the Goblin, whose name I forget…and so many more. Almost any book was comfort to me.
I have comfort books! Books that I know will give me a good feeling or rush every time I read them.
Honey Moon by Susan Elizabeth Phiilips and Catch a Rising Star by Tracey Bateman. 🙂