6 Classic Series That Have Stood the Test of Time
I had two favorite authors as a kid: L.M. Montgomery and Madeleine L’Engle. Their writing captivated me, and nudged me to look for the beauty in the world and the goodness in people. And, of course, it kept me coming back to read these books again and again, and to make sure my children read them as well. After all, the most enduring children’s books are the ones we loved as kids, that we still love as adults, and that our children now love, too. Here are 6 classic series that have stood the test of time and will be passed down and enjoyed for generations to come.
{{ product: 9781481409339 }}The Anne of Green Gables series, by L.M. Montgomery
When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert met Anne Shirley, their whole lives changed. The same can be said for the reader, as it’s hard to forget a memorable character like Anne (with an “e”!). How could anyone not want to read more about this girl who finds beauty wherever she goes and brings life to the community around her? Plus, readers get to follow along on her funny misadventures as a young girl, to watch as she grows to a young woman, and to finally see her married with children of her own, whom they will love just as fiercely. A wonderful series for readers of all ages, Anne of Green Gables never grows old.
A Wrinkle in Time Trilogy, by Madeleine L’Engle
I read my copies of A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet so much they fell apart. Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, along with their friend Calvin O’Keefe, are intriguing characters, and relentlessly brave and plucky in the face of evil, whether that is in the present day or across time. These are fascinating and imaginative and just plain good stories for young and old alike.
The Little House on the Prairie series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another series that I couldn’t put down as a child. I fell in love with all nine books, from Little House in the Big Woods, to On the Banks of Plum Creek, to The First Four Years. They detail the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, from her childhood growing up as a pioneer to that of a married woman, and simultaneously capture an amazing time in American history.
The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
A perennial favorite, the Chronicles of Narnia have provided entertainment and sparked imaginations since they were published. Who can resist these four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, and their adventures in Narnia with talking animals, Aslan, mysterious islands, and much more? This time-honored fantasy series features many fierce battles between good and evil, and beckons to be re-read time and again.
The Baby-sitters Club series, by Ann M. Martin
A well-loved series first published in 1986, the Baby-Sitters Club books are still entertaining the newest generation today. Founded by Kristy, the Baby-sitters Club is made up of her and her friends Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey, so that parents in town can find a babysitter by reaching several available sitters with just one phone call. The drama and daily lives of these four girlfriends are delightful and fun, and young girls won’t be able to pass these up.
The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling
Not quite as old as these others, but still a classic in its own right, the Harry Potter collection is so highly regarded by both kids and adults that it just keeps getting more and more new content added to its magical library, such as the upcoming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Illustrated Edition. Fans can never read enough about the fascinating boy who lived or the world he lived in.
What are your favorite enduring book series?