8 Books That Will Make You Nostalgic for Your Childhood

Author: Emily Agnew

 

There are certain things that have the ability to bring us back to our childhood, but books are among the most powerful. The heartwarming stories we read at a young age filled us with magic and wonder then, and now serve to remind us of simpler times. Here are 8 books that will remind you what it was like to be a kid.

 

 

1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

 

Written by Cornellian E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web is a classic tale about the power of friendship. Before unlikely animal friendships were trendy, Wilbur and Charlotte proved that a pig and a spider can become the best of friends when Charlotte saves Wilbur from slaughter with her creativity and smarts. This book touches upon themes of love, loss and the value of friendship. It’s impossible to read without tearing up.

 

2. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

 

Harry Potter is truly the series of our generation, as Harry grew up alongside us. The first book, published in 1997, launched a saga and obsession unparalleled to any children’s literature series. The endearing nature of Harry Potter owes itself to Rowling’s creativity constructing an intricate world of fantasy. While Hogwarts is incomparable to any real school, the experiences that Hermione, Ron and Harry have force them to confront themes–among them loss, friendship and vulnerability–that are applicable to Muggle kids everywhere.  

 

3. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

 

This iconic picture book is known for its imaginativity. One of the most beloved books of all time, Sendak tells the story of a young boy named Max, who is sent to bed without supper for causing chaos in his household. His bedroom becomes a mysterious jungle, and he sails to an island inhabited with wild things. Max romps around with the wild things, who praise him as their king. The colors and illustrations of this book are captivating, truly capturing the free and untamable spirit of the child.

 

4. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

 

Unlike many other children’s books, Silverstein’s The Giving Tree is unusually sad. The book follows the evolving relationship between an apple tree and a boy. The boy enjoys playing with the tree throughout his childhood, climbing on her branches and eating her apples. However, time passes and the boy becomes more and more demanding of the tree, asking for her apples to make money, and her branches to make a house. After taking all but a stump from the tree, the boy reconnects with the tree, and the last line of the books states “the tree was happy.” Though this book is somewhat intense for children, it is an important tale, as it shows the value of kindness and gratitude.

 

5. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

 

This book is one of my personal all-time favorite books from growing up. It follows a brother and a sister, Jamie and Claudia, who run away from home and decide to live in the Met. Exploring the Met after dark and roaming free through the museum is liberating for these two kids, but their experience takes a turn when they decide to visit Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, one of the museum’s art collectors. Realistic enough to be plausible, but crazy enough to be interesting, this book continually captures its young audience through its exciting and descriptive plot-line.

 

6. Matilda by Roald Dahl

 

Before it was a movie and a broadway show, Matilda was just a story about a girl who loved to read. The perfect tale for any book-loving child, Dahl shows that it is cool to be smart, as Matilda uses her intelligence to rebel against her parents. Filled with colorful and outrageous characters, Dahl’s books are a timeless favorite for any age.

 

7. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

 

This story follows the adventures of a young boy named Milo, who receives a magic tollbooth and decides to drive through it. Milo is transported to the Kingdom of Wisdom, and from there embarks on a quest to restore the kingdom its princess, who has been exiled. The text is filled with wordplay and puns that make it enjoyable to read at any age.

 

8. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

 

Henkes is the author of many different children’s books, all based on a family of mice. In this book, Chrysanthemum, Henkes demonstrates what it means to be different, as well as the importance of embracing those differences. The colorful illustrations and witty thought bubbles make Chrysanthemum a fun read.