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


By Byron Jonas

Literature is an essential part of every child's formation. It is a vital educational tool with endless lessons to teach. Through literature, we come to know people, places and ideas without ever leaving the comfort of our sofas or beds. Getting a child to read, however, is not always the simplest task. That said, it is still extremely important. Through literature, children get to know the world.

Here is a list of eight must-reads for children that are sure to get them interested in reading:

1. Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham One of the most familiar stories in world popular culture, the reading of Green Eggs & Ham will bring your child into a literary tradition. Its rhyme and repetition render it fun and easy to follow for small children. Furthermore, it is an initial contact point with poetry.

2. Mother Goose Fairytales These historic works of children's literature apply as much today as they did hundreds of years ago, possessing an inexplicable worldwide and timeless appeal. The lessons they pretend to teach are important ones that will not be lost on your children, and the stories they tell are endearing.

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 In the history of English language literature, Shakespeare is quite probably the most important figure. His works have saturated the world of storytelling for years, popping up in television and film as well. The story of Romeo & Juliet is a familiar one that your child will be able to follow while being introduced to this central English language author.

6. J.D. Salinger The Catcher in the Rye This is a book no teen should go to college without reading first. The voice it presents is something with which adolescents will be sure to identify. And though the book does present rather serious topics - suicide and sex, for example - it does so in a way that is non-confrontational and instead thought-provoking.

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 passionate novel is one for the ages. Not only will your child become enthralled in its story, but you may be inspired to get involved in it as well. Furthermore, Wuthering Heights is a prime example of literature written by female authors, among the first of its kind to be truly respected by critics.

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