Reading Children's Books as an Adult

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I was a fairly avid reader as a child but feel I missed a lot of the children’s classics like Wind in the Willows, The Secret Garden, Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables etc.

I’m thinking I might read them now as a (fairly mature!) adult. Has anyone else done this? It isn’t too weird is it?!

And if you have done / would do it, are there any books you’d recommend?

Thanks.

am with everyone else on here!
I collect first edition children's books - and there are loads from previous decades which have been forgotten in addition to the well known ones, they are often very well written - unlike a lot of modern literature which seems to be written by a dyslexic chatGPT!

I recently re-read The Naughtiest Girl in the School and one of the Milly-Molly-Mandy books (really showing my age here! 😄) as well as Wish For a Pony which was a big fave when I was a horse-obsessed kid. Just fancied re-visiting them, and thoroughly enjoyed doing so.

@squashyhat that's probably my second favourite AR book, my favourite one is Winter Holiday

I used to help in DC's school, one thing I helped with was listening to book reviews from children on books they had read. If it was a book I hadn't read or an author I did not know and it sounded interesting I would get a copy of the book or another by the author for myself. Also sometimes would get a copy of the class reading book if I hadn't read that. Somehow, I had missed reading (or seeing tv version) of Goodnight Mr Tom when I was younger, they read part of it in DS's class but didn't finish it so got a copy for home and read it to DS, when I was reading the end bit I had to stop as was crying too much!

Lots of great classics already mentioned. I want to put in a plug for a modern author I love - Frances Hardinge. Her fantasy books are ‘for children’ but are definitely worth reading as an adult.

If you like,history, try Rosemary Sutcliffe , absolutely cracking books (Eagle of the Ninth,the Lantern bearers etc).

Second this suggestion. What a great imagination she has. I also love Philip Reeve.

May I recommend Lucy Mangan, Bookworm - A Memoir of Childhood Reading, to you all? A real joy that had me reading many old favourites.
I’m just about to start Bookish, her adult equivalent. Just waiting for a rainy day and an empty house!

How could I have forgotten Eagle of the Ninth! Love this book

You can't go wrong with Noel Streatfeild. Ballet Shoes is one of the great comfort reads for me. My all-time favourite, though, is Party Frock.

Loved this so much! Disagree with many of her TV reviews, but this was just a wonderful and nostalgic read.

Moondial
The Family From One End Street
Stig of the Dump
Carrie's War
The Turbulant Term of Tyke Tyler
Ballet Shoes
The Growing Summer
A Traveller in Time
The Way to Sattin Shore
The Dolphin Crossing

Oh wow, amazing - and very reassuring - responses, thank you!

Loads to look into here. Some classics I'd forgotten about, some I've never heard of. Lots to add to my reading list now, thanks again 🙂

I haven't re-read any of my childhood favourites but this is tempting me so much as I'm stressed out and need the escape.
I do have Holes as mentioned earlier as my son loved it when they studied it in English a year or so ago...I watched the film and I think it's a great story.
I have recently listened to the BBC radio dramatisation of Tom's Midnight Garden as the kids listened on a long journey...that's one I definitely would like to read for myself. Somehow it seems a lot of classics passed me by as a child so I'll save this thread for future reference.

I've reread all my favourite childhood books. It's lovely.

I re-read my favourite children's books when I'm ill, or tired, or stressed, or because it's Tuesday.

I have books I read every Christmas (Dark is Rising, End of Term).

I haven't seen anyone mention my most read book - Cue for Treason.

100% with you on DWJ especially Howl's Moving Castle.

@user405927 We used to borrow a tape from the library of Kenneth Williams reading Just William and it was great. Very camp (obviously!) but very funny. My sisters and I still quote bits of it in his voice.

@Purplebunnie I do enjoy a bit of Ruby Ferguson, Jill Crewe is a great character. My favourite parts are where she tries to look sophisticated by putting on lipstick or side-parting her hair ("Ann and I looked at least sixteen"!) and then an adult ruins it by sending her to bed early

I still read loads of the books mentioned here and love them!

I recently read Charlotte Sometimes and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase for the first time. Enjoyed them both.

These are some of my favourites. I love childrens books. Currently reading the Malory towers books again.

Absolutely loved Mallory Towers and read and re-read them when I was younger. Have actually just finished reading them to my DD who is 12. Reading a chapter or two each night before bed. We've both really enjoyed. Always loved the midnight feasts, swimming in the sea pool and wanted to go there to have Miss Grayling as a headteacher. The recent BBC adaptation took some liberties though! 😂

Try October October by Kayla Balen - it’s brilliant

I have recently re-read The Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce. I loved those as a kid and they were still good in my 40s.

I’ve just re-read them too! I’d forgotten quite how mean the girls could be when Gwen puts on weight and gets spots.

Reading doesn’t have any rules. Read what you want and interests you. I’m 57 and I’ve read and re read my Enid Blyton and Chalet School books all my life! I enjoy them still.

How bizarre! I have literally pulled some of the books you mentioned from DDs bedroom today for me to read again. She never read the secret garden which was my all time fave. She is a huge reader but somehow missed this box set out. We’ve said we will make a conscious effort to read them before Easter.