Eight Literary Works Every Child Must Read Before the Age of 18


Reading is fundamental to the formation of all children. The lessons learned through reading are endless – it brings to us people, places, ideas and concepts that we before may have never considered. It is impossible to deny the importance of reading. However, getting a child to do so is not always the easiest task. It is worth the effort, though, for it introduces a child to the world.

So take note of this list of eight books your child should read before the age of 18:

1. Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham Green Eggs & Ham serves as an early introduction to poetry sure to please both kids and parents. Its rhymes are relaxing, funny, and for small children, easy to follow. A staple of the world of English-language children’s literature, Green Eggs & Ham allows children to form a part of a literary tradition.

2. Mother Goose Fairytales Though these stories were written centuries ago, they have a timeless nature that is all but impossible to explain. These stories of animals and giants and princes are met with as much enjoyment now as they were years ago. Moreover, the lessons they teach are ones that remain of the highest importance.

3. Robert Munsch Love You Forever Love You Forever tells the story of the evolving relationship between a mother and her son over the span of a lifetime. The short story pulls at the heart strings of both parents and children and provides important lessons about the passage of time and the changing of roles.

4. J.K. Rowling Harry Potter Before heading to the theatre to take your child to see the latest Harry Potter movie, why not pick up the book first? These adventure stories appeal to kids of all ages and all areas of interest, and your child is sure to get hooked. Plus, these books are a prime way to get your child interested in reading in the first place.

5. William Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Shakespeare is arguably the most important figure in English-language literature – his work is probably the single most influential factor in the stories we tell today. Romeo & Juliet is the perfect way to introduce a child to this famous literary figure.

6. J.D. Salinger The Catcher in the Rye This book deals with very serious adult topics in a quite adolescent way. The voice it represents is that of a careless teen, but the lessons it instills are those of a very aware author. This novella speaks to adolescents about the world in a language to which they can relate.

7. Homer The Iliad and The Odyssey These two fundamental pieces of world literature are key to the understanding of writing and storytelling at their very beginnings. Though these epic poems can prove quite dense, like the works of Shakespeare, they form a vital part of the genealogical line that is world literature.

8. Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights This classic novel is important not only for its story but also for the gender of its author. Women are often left off of the list of classic authors and their works left off of reading lists. The engaging story of this novel, however, is one that stands on its own and cannot be ignored.

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