Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Childhood Books

Well would you look at that! I'm not dead. I'm not even disappeared into some far-reaching corner of the earth. 

I'm just very, very bogged down with school, that's all.

But it's Spring Break now, so I'm back! I actually wasn't planning to do this week's Top Ten Tuesday - I've been planning Something Else Exciting to come tomorrow or Thursday - but after I saw Cait's TTT post, I was filled with such nostalgia that I just HAD to write my own.



Today's topic is: Top Ten Childhood Books that I would Love To Revisit. And gosh, I have plenty.
I was homeschooled until I started college last fall, so books were basically my food for all of my childhood. We didn't even have required reading because my parents knew that I would rather sit in a corner reading the library pile than going outside to play. When I DID go outside, I'd climb up in the tree and read up there. I got into very little trouble. (Having a reader for a child is very convenient. You don't have to find ways to keep them occupied.)

Anyway, let's begin!




I still remember my mother reading these to us while sitting on a blanket in our backyard. I ADORED these books (and still do). They have my heart forever.



This is what my father was reading to me when I was three, and he slowly started to fall asleep. He misread a word. I corrected him, and he freaked. Thus, Sophia was proclaimed a reader.

These stories have so much Truth and Goodness in them. Everyone, no matter what their age, should read them.



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Oh, these were my LIFE. Until I was about thirteen, I was committed to reading each and every one. My favorites were the Merlin Missions (these were in hardcover so they were special), especially the Venice Carnivale one (#33) and the Camelot one (#29). But I got most from the library, so I only own two or three. And today, I could only find one:



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I used to own all his books: Castaways in Lilliput, Trouble in Timpetill, Detectives in Togas, and Mystery of the Roman Ransom. (These last two are a duology.) But today I could only find Castaways! I think the other three have been lent out to various children in the neighborhood. Whoops. 
But these are super good - Detectives in Togas is possibly my favorite, though I also really liked Trouble in Timpetill. Actually, never mind. I can't pick a favorite.


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Roald Dahl is the greatest - right, or left?*
He is, as my copy of James proclaims: The World's Most Scrumdiddlyumptious Storyteller. 


*You earn five points if you understood the reference.


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I've read Witch of Blackbird Pond (it's the only one I own), and fell in love with Nat. I also read Calico Captive and Sign of the Beaver, which were great. But my favorite will always be The Bronze Bow. Always.



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Sara Crewe (A Little Princess) is my BFF, Dickon (The Secret Garden) is my bro, and if anyone talks crap about Cedric Errol (Little Lord Fauntleroy), I will find you. 

But seriously. Why do so many people make fun of Little Lord Fauntleroy? Stop it.



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Treasure Island was kind of forced to become a part of my life, since my sister was OBSESSED with it when she was younger. She had a HUGE crush on - and wanted to become - Jim Hawkins. Simultaneously. She dressed up as him for Halloween once. I would post a picture but she might kill me.


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Oh the beauty and innocence of Astrid Lindgren. Everyone's heard of Pippi Longstocking, but I personally prefer Happy Times in Noisy Village or the Emil books over Pippi any-day. And who wouldn't want to be Ronia, from Ronia, the Robber's Daughter? I read that book three times over.



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I've read so much E. Nesbit, I've lost count. She is absolutely a children's lit genius. Edward Eager deserves mention here too, because he's an E. Nesbit follower.


BECAUSE I HATE RULES


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Do you want some excellent fantasy? Lloyd is the man. Not only does he write Welsh and traditional Western fantasy, he also explores other world cultures, which is AWESOME. Right, or left?

Also, did you know I was about to write a letter to him when he died in 2007? It was a tragic moment in my life, because apparently he kept up the most awesome correspondences with his fans. :-(

Some Honorable Mentions:

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And wait! What about the Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes and and and...

Gosh. I'm already to twenty.

What are your favorite childhood books that you'd like to reread?
Do you have fond memories of any on my list?

~Sophia


9 comments:

  1. I didn't mention it on my list, but I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in third grade and it was my favorite story for a very long time. I read it and the entire series (first time for me) to my younger children last year, and we enjoyed it so very much. : )

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's such a vital part of my childhood memories. :-)

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  2. I thought my list made me nostalgic but wow yours just took the cake! I adored Detectives in Togas growing up but I loved all of Winterfield's books. I actually just love all of the books you listed so much I want to go curl up and read in my bed for the rest of the day now!

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    1. P.S. Sometimes I wonder if you are my sister... we have a LOT in common. ;)

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    2. That's how this whole Top Ten Tuesday is making me feel! (Unfortunately I can't curl up, I have essays to write....)

      Oooh perhaps we were separated at birth! (Insert suspenseful music)

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    3. Indubitably! I always knew I was adopted as I'm WAY to normal for my crazy family! ;)

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    4. Is that sarcasm? I hope it is. The winky face makes me think it might be.
      (*curses lack of inflection in written conversation*)

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  3. How did I forget Winnie-the-Pooh?? I love that book.
    My sister was way more into Magic Tree House than I was. I was older when I discovered them and had already read The Sword in the Stone by T H White.
    The list brings back so many memories.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Amanda

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    1. I'm glad you liked it! I just read Sword in the Stone last December, so I'm a little late to that party :-)

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