Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

This is the place to share any children's classic books you are reading now or planning to read in the next few weeks.

I recently finished The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin. It was a sweet story. Before I started, I thought it was about (view spoiler)[birds - the animals! It's about the Bird family and especially about the daughter, Carol. (hide spoiler)]

That's an easy mistake to make, Kathy.

Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell is for both adults and young adults. The author's books are considered Canadian classics. How I Spent My Summer Holidays is highly praised too.

Both are good, Chrissie.

I always read Das fliegende Klassenzimmer (The Flying Classroom) for Christmas and also The Light at Tern Rock.

Have also in the Children's Literature Group been doing a Carnegie Medal project since September, and with regard to "classics" have just read the 1961 winner, Lucy M. Boston's A Stranger at Green Knowe (which I liked but not as much as the first novel, The Children of Green Knowe, which I really do think should have won the 1954 Carnegie Medal).

I would definitely not consider How I Spent My Summer Holidays as a children's book and even with regard to young adults, the novel is in my opinion not really suitable for readers younger than fourteen or so. We read it in grade eleven and even then, the topics and themes were pretty heavy duty even though the story features young teenagers as characters.

Who Has Seen the Wind, we read in grade seven, and it is definitely more of a YA book suitable for readers from about the age of twelve or so onwards,

Manybooks wrote: "I would definitely not consider How I Spent My Summer Holidays as a children's book and even with regard to young adults, the novel is in my opinion not really suitable for readers y..."

I so wish I could get a hold of How I Spent My Summer Holidays!!!!!!!

So glad you have joined the group!

For Christmas we always read The Polar Express and Tomten. I have a hard time at Christmas now, with Per gone! That was my husband who died in 2021 for those of you who don't kn ow it.

Chrissie wrote: "For Christmas we always read The Polar Express and Tomten. I have a hard time at Christmas now, with Per gone! That was my husband who died in 2022 for those of you wh..."

Find some really good and comforting books to read over the holidays and take time for yourself away from everyone, if you need that (I know that would help me, but of course it might not work for you). Hope you can still find some peace and quiet times.

Manybooks wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "For Christmas we always read The Polar Express and Tomten. I have a hard time at Christmas now, with Per gone! That was my husband who died in 2022 fo..."

I will be alone this Christmas. I cannot do it with others.

Chrissie wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "For Christmas we always read The Polar Express and Tomten. I have a hard time at Christmas now, with Per gone! That was my husband w..."

I can understand that, and I will be thinking of you.

Maybe we should do another relaxing buddy read over Christmas. Any novels that appeal to you?

Pamper yourself for Christmas, Chrissie. You deserve it.

Thinking of you, Chrissie, during this difficult time.

Chrissie wrote: "For Christmas we always read The Polar Express and Tomten. I have a hard time at Christmas now, with Per gone! That was my husband who died in 2022 for those of you wh..."

I'm so sorry to hear that, Chrissie! My heartfelt sympathies! And I wish you didn't have to be alone at Christmas. Message me, if you're lonely! 😊

I’m so sorry Chrissie for your loss and wish you peace during the holiday season.

Sorry for your loss, Chrissie. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.

Hugs to all of you, and I appreciate your kind words.

Gundula, I I think the book I am reading now will appeal to you--Long Summer Day. There is stall boy that I think will appeal to you--we are in this young boy's head. Rosemarie recommended this author to me. Her recommendations are always spot on!

Cleo. every time I see your picture I think of Morlaix in Brittany! I may take yo up on your offer.

Chrissie my thoughts will be with you.

I cannot imagine how you feel without your husband and than being alone during sprecial times. ((Hugs))

Chrissie wrote: "Hugs to all of you, and I appreciate your kind words.

Gundula, I I think the book I am reading now will appeal to you--Long Summer Day. There is stall boy that I think will appeal to..."

I am going to check whether that book is on Open Library. It does look good. Hugs as well!

I give a special hug to you, Chrissie.

Chrissie wrote: "Cleo. every time I see your picture I think of Morlaix in Brittany! I may take yo up on your offer..."

I just looked it up and it does look similar to my Pont du Gard picture. I miss France ..... And please do! 🤗

Thanks, Luis and Lesle, I miss hugs and physical contact ........which one often takes for granted when one has a spouse around.

Chrissie wrote: "Thanks, Luis and Lesle, I miss hugs and physical contact ........which one often takes for granted when one has a spouse around."

Sending you a virtual hug for Christmas, not the same, of course but with warm wishes and sweetness.

Manybooks wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Thanks, Luis and Lesle, I miss hugs and physical contact ........which one often takes for granted when one has a spouse around."

Sending you a virtual hug for Christmas, not the ..."

Nice. Highly appreciated.

Chrissie wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Thanks, Luis and Lesle, I miss hugs and physical contact ........which one often takes for granted when one has a spouse around."

Sending you a virtual hug for C..."

Hope the weather is not too cold, lucky for me, Hamilton did not get the huge blizzards of the USA.

Neither did Toronto!

I finished Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates yesterday since it seemed like a good choice for winter.
Now I'm reading The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle, a cheerful version of the Robin Hood story.
I had both books on my ipad so I decided now was a good time to read them before I begin more serious reading in the new year.

I'm about halfway through Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. That will leave me with two Newbery winners to read before I've read them all - well - until the next one is awarded in January!

That is fantastic, Karen!

Karen wrote: "I'm about halfway through Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. That will leave me with two Newbery winners to read before I've read them all - well - until the next one i..."

Johnny Tremain is one of my favourites!!

You'll have to start on the Newbery honor books!

Karen wrote: "I'm about halfway through Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. That will leave me with two Newbery winners to read before I've read them all - well - until the next one i..."

Karen that is a great accomplishment! Congratulations!!

Well thank you, everyone! I have to say, despite all the political incorrectness, I have enjoyed the older ones much more than the newer ones. Funny (or sad?) how children's lit has evolved over the years.

I enjoyed the older books more as well, Karen, but there are newer winners that I enjoyed as well.

I love the older books compared to the more modern ones. I find that they have a thread of hope through them that is inspiring.

I'm reading:

Three Greek Children: A Story of Home in Old Time by Alfred J. Church

I'm absolutely loving it. It is full of history and the ancient way of Greek life all woven into a story of an ancient Greek family. Just delightful!

I like those kind of stories too!

Just read James and the Giant Peach.

One of my favourites! The original illustrations are good!

Mine had illustrations by Quentin Blake.

Those are good.

Last night I read The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth. It was the 1931 Newbery Medal Winner. I really enjoyed the story (with it's Buddha stories relating to the different animals) and the illustrations.

I'm reading The Neverending Story to my daughter right now and she's loving it. I recently listened to the audio book myself (abridged, in German) and was so impressed I had to start reading it to my kids right away. Incidentally, Neverending Story is a kind of prequel/twin of The Mirror in the Mirror: A Labyrinth, which I just finished, but the latter is NOT children's literature.

Question for the room: would Nicholas Nickleby be appropriated for a 8-9 year old, or too brutal? I'm looking for something to add to my reading queue for my daughter.

We recently finished Little Women and both really loved it. It's questionable whether this would count as children's literature given that one of the sisters dies part way through the story.

Jerry, Little Women is appropriate for children, especially since the way Beth died was treated with much sensitivity. During those times, childhood mortality was higher than it is now, many children died due to childhood diseases.
Natalie Babbitt
I think Nicholas Nickleby would be too much for an 8/9 year old. Dickens is wordy and the content is aimed at older readers, say 12 and up.

Have you read Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner? They're delightful.
The books of E. Nesbit and Edward Eager are lots of fun.
Natalie Babbitt has written books for that age, though some may be for slightly older readers.
A more modern book is Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. It's entertaining and also a feel-good book.

One of the authors I've been wanting to read is Roald Dahl so in January I started reading his children's books (illustrated by Quentin Blake) in order.
Just started

Later this year, I plan on rereading the newer editions with the changes.

Have fun reading, Mikiko! Please let us know what you think of the "revised" versions.

I've just finished Betsy Was a Junior / Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace and just loved them! They're such fun reads.

I have just started a long overdue re-read of The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien. Do we class this as YA/children Literature?

It certainly does!

I'm reading Ballet Shoes.