THE TOP TEN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN EVERY ADULT SHOULD READ

It’s been said that all truths are utterly simple. In that sense, each one of these books contains an essential truth within it. The message, wise and simple, seems to be best conveyed in children’s language, yet with such profound depth that makes one wonder if these books may have acutally been written for adults.

Included is a variety of online resources for some of these books.

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

   

   There is a lesson in this little book and its message makes a strong impact on any reader. It is a simple story of a unique gift: the unconditional love. More controversially, this book provides a fitting commentary to the behavior of mankind towards nature.

   Here you can watch The Giving Tree movie narrated by Shel Silverstein, made in 1973. Enjoy!

2. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss

   “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
   To read the full online poem, click here.
   
   SeussVille – fun website dedicated to Dr Seuss, with online playground for kids.

3. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

   The Little Prince was first published in 1943, only a year before his creator’s airplane vanished over the Mediterranean during a reconnaissance mission. More than a half century later, this fable of love and loneliness continues to inspire children and people of all ages.

   To read the full book online, click here.

4. Johnathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

   Jonathan Livingston Seagull stands out from the other gulls in his flock. He doesn’t live to eat, but eats to live and pursue his one great passion: flight. But his search for soaring hights and perfect flight only alienates him from the other seagulls, and eventually he gets expelled from the flock just for daring to be different. That’s when the real journey begins.

   Here is a video clip from Neil Diamond’s adaptation:
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5. The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein

   Like a person searching for his soul mate, the circle goes through life feeling incomplete, and longs for the day when it will finally find the piece it has been missing.

   This is a beautiful fable that gently probes into the nature of quest and fulfillment. I believe it is about a boy’s search for love.

   Watch a video here:
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6. The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein

   The second half of this beautiful fable tells how the missing piece becomes whole, all on its own. That’s one long and adventuresome journey, sometimes fun and sometimes lonesome. In any case, it’s one journey worth embarking on.

   This book explores the female principle, so in that sense the story is about a girl’s search for love.

   No comment necessary, just watch:
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7. The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth

   Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy. Nikolai is a boy who is searching for the answers to his three questions: “When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?” His friends–a heron, a monkey, and a dog–try to help, but to no avail, so he asks Leo, the wise old turtle. Leo doesn’t answer directly, but by the end of Nikolai’s visit, the boy has discovered the answers himself. There is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side.

8. Ambrosia by Dan Manalang
   

   This beautifully illustrated children’s book addresses the issues of racism and prejudice in a manner that is easy to relate to. Furthermore, it explores the values of diversity and tolerance in modern society and stresses out the importance of embracing our differences.

   The message, as always, is simple: what truly matters comes from within.

9. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia

   A simple story that uses metaphor of the annual changes in leaves on a tree to illustrate different phases of life and explore death. loss, and letting go.

   Each leaf leaves the tree differently: some drift down quietly, and others fiercely resist the tug of the wind.

   Watch the movie here:
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   Visit The World of Leo Buscaglia

10. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud & David Messing
    

    Words hurt and words heal. This book explores the power of kindness and the impact of a smile. It teaches that we can find happiness by spreading it.

    The analogy of filling a bucket puts across a powerful concept in visual form. Any child can understand it, so why wouldn’t we?
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