Recommended Reading List 3hrs
Some are books I have read. Some are written by authors I have read. Some look new and intriguing and make me want to read them. I hope you will come to your library and look for some of these titles.
The Borrowers
-Mary Norton
The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantlepiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock. They borrow everything from humans, existing on the scraps they collect from the homes they live in.
Arriety Clock's father, Pod, is an expert borrower, able to scale curtains using a hatpin, and bring back a doll's teacup without breaking it. Girls aren't usually supposed to go borrowing, but Pod makes an exception for Arrietty, who can't wait to explore the house and gardens that lie beyond her cramped home. But when she is at last allowed to accompany Pod on one of his borrowing expeditions, something terrible happens - she is 'seen' by a human boy.
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This beautifully-written story will enchant young readers, who will love the idea of the Borrower's hidden 'wainscot world'. Exciting, mysterious and with a hint of sadness, it has a deserving reputation as a classic of twentieth century children's literature.
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The Hobbit
-JRRTolkein
This is the classic story of Bilbo Baggins - a home-loving hobbit who enjoys a quiet and contented life in his cosy hobbit hole and has no desire to travel afar. But then the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services, soon Bilbo finds himself part of an extraordinary expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the Dragon - and on the way becomes the possessor of a very unusual ring.
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This well-loved fantasy has delighted both children and adults ever since its first publication in 1937. Full of magic, humour and adventure, it continues to offer plenty to entertain and engage today's young readers who are discovering it for the first time.
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Stig of the Dump
-Clive King
Barney is a solitary little boy who often wanders off by himself in the countryside. Exploring an old chalk pit, he finds himself in a cave where he meets a strange boy who wears a rabbit skin and speaks in grunts. His grandparents don't believe Barney when he tells them about his new cave boy friend - but nevertheless, the two enjoy plenty of fun together.
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This lovely story about the unlikely friendship between Barney and stone-age Stig has stood the test of time. Although it is now over 50 years old, contemporary children will love reading about the pair's lively adventures. Clive Kings' story is perfectly accompanied by Edward Ardizzone's classic illustrations.
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The Adventures of Tintin
-Herge
Resourceful junior reporter Tintin embarks on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy, in this favourite series. Be sure to look out for other familiar characters such as Captain Haddock, the disaster-prone Thomson twins, and inventor Professor Calculus. Told in zippy comic strip-style, these entertaining, action-packed stories offer much to appeal to young readers. The meticulously-drawn pictures tell much of the story, in combination with a simple and engaging text.
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This latest set of collections sees the full range of Hergé's classic made readily available to a new generation of children.
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Swallows and Amazons
-Arthur Ransome
It's the summer holidays, and the Walker children - otherwise known as Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-Seaman Titty and Ship's Boy Roger - are excited to set sail on their boat Swallow and camp on Wild Cat Island. Exploring their new territory, camping in the open skies, swimming in the lake and fishing for their dinner would be adventure enough - but then they meet two fierce Amazon pirates who challenge them to a war.
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Arthur Ransome's classic Swallows and Amazons stories begin with this first book, a delightful evocation of a wonderful summer of adventure, discovery and friendship. Inspired by the author's own real-life sailing adventures in the Lake District as a child, this enchanting story is accompanied by Ransome's simple but characterful black and white illustrations.
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Ballet Shoes
-Noel Streatfeild
Pauline, Petrova and Posy are orphans adopted by eccentric fossil collector and explorer Gum ('Great Uncle Matthew'). Leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia, and Nana, her old nurse, at his London home on the Cromwell Road, Gum goes off to continue his exploring, saying he'll be back in five years time. But after five years come and go, and there is no sign of Gum, Sylvia's money begins to run out.
When the family takes in an engaging collection of lodgers to help make ends meet, one of them suggests that the three girls should attend Madame Fidolia's Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training, so that they can learn to support themselves and earn money on the stage. After some excitement, intense competition, occasional disappointments and some hard lessons, Posy proves herself a gifted ballet dancer and Pauline discovers a talent for acting, but Petrova - who loathes dancing and acting - remains true to her passion for mechanics and her dream to become a pilot.
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First published in the 1930s, this classic story of three very different girls who work hard to master their talents has captivated children's imaginations - particularly girls' - for decades. Pauline, Petrova and Pauline are brilliantly characterised and always believable: young readers will love following the ups and downs of this warm-hearted family tale.
Heidi Y.