Welcome to the 1950s!
We’ve entered into the second half of the twentieth century and once again I have made a list of 10 great children’s classic books from the 1950s just for you! As with my previous lists in this series I’ve ignored books you’ve no doubt heard of (Charlotte’s Web, anyone?) to make room for some lesser known but still worthy titles. So take a look and add some new books to your list of “must read books.” …
PLUS…
This week I am starting a brand new feature! On my Facebook page I will be revealing which 5 books I wanted to include but did not quite make the cut. A book a day for the next five days (including today). So head on over, and like us on Facebook.
The Family Under the Bridge. (1958) At Christmas time in Paris, Armand, a self-proclaimed hobo who loves his responsibility-free life, takes a homeless family under his protection. In doing so he decides it might not be so bad to have permanent ties after all. Read this sensitive, touching story with your children during the holiday season.
The Children of Green Knowe. (1954) Tolly goes to live with his grandparents in their ancient but magical English manor house. He meets a few new playmates to keep him company. He discovers, however, they are not quite of this world. There are six Green Knowe books. Read them all.
Half Magic. (1954) Four siblings find a magical coin which turns out to be a wish-granting talisman. The catch? It only grants half a wish at a time.
The Wonderful O. (1957) If you are an island with the name Ooroo, you’d better hope that a nasty pirate doesn’t land on you and banish the letter “O” because when he d_es, y_u w_n’t be able t_ st_p the hilari_us cha_s. This book will be thoroughly appreciated by grown-ups, so put it on your read aloud list.
Tom’s Midnight Garden. (1958) In the 1950s, Tom goes to live with his uncle and aunt where a clock strikes 13, there is a gorgeous but mysterious garden and his playmate is from the 19th Century. Beautiful, eerie, moving and wondrous.
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf. (1955) It’s so annoying when desirable books are readily available in the UK but not here is the US! As you might guess from the title, Polly readily outwits a not-so-shrewd wolf who would like nothing better than to eat her for dinner. Storr’s storytelling ability is just as clever and witty as her heroine. A great read aloud for younger listeners.
Karlson on the Roof. (1955) The author of Pippi Longstocking also wrote several amusing and charming books about a little man who flies around with a propeller attached to his back. Karlson is a little bit of a trouble-maker, but he is lots of fun.
The Wheel on the School. (1954) In Holland, Lina and her friends wonder why there are no longer any storks in their village. They work together to build a nest for the birds on the school, and in doing so discover their individual and collective strengths. I know that sounds boring, but I swear, it’s not! A Newbery Medal book with delightful illustrations by the late great Maurice Sendak.
Carbonel: The King of Cats. (1955) This is the first book in a magical trilogy by Barbara Sleigh. Young Rosemary’s new cat turns out to be royalty and she and her friend, Jack, get caught up in an adventure and mystery in their quest to break the witch’s spell.
Visit my other posts in this series:
Classic Children’s Books: 19th Century
Classic Children’s Books: 1900s
Classic Children’s Books: 1910s
Classic Children’s Books: 1920s
Classic Children’s Books: 1930s
Classic Children’s Books: 1940s
Classic Children’s Books: 1950s
Classic Children’s Books: 1960s
Classic Children’s Books: 1970s
Classic Children’s Books: 1980s
Classic Children’s Books: 1990s
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This post is part of The Children’s Bookshelf, a weekly gathering of children’s book posts aimed at connecting parents with great books for their kids.
Please visit some of the other great posts linked up here and be sure to leave a comment!
Loved so many of these books as a kid. Yes, The Hundred and One Dalmatians is a fabulous read! And I have to reread The Family Under the Bridge–haven't thought of that one in ages. Great post!
I admit that one reason I love The Family Under the Bridge because it takes place in Paris!
Karlson on the Roof was one of my favorite books in the childhood completed with great Russian animated series
I actually liked it a lot more than Pippi.
Fabulous list – I've only heard of some of these. I'm really curious about The Wonderful O – that one is ringing a bell.
Some big favorites of N's and mine on this list: The Family Under the Bridge, The Children of Green Knowe, Half Magic. I'm putting the others on my TBR list!
The only one I'm familiar with is Tom's Midnight Garden which I have on a TBR list for when my little guy gets a bit older, but we'll have to add some of these others as well.
Clever Polly might be a good choice for you right now.
These books sound fantastic, thanks for this list!
You will enjoy them, I'm sure!
What a great list – I can't believe I don't know 'The Wheel on the School'. It's a must-read for us as we spend part of the year in my husband's home town in Germany where they are doing exactly the same thing to lure back the storks (so exciting when you see one on a house roof!). I don't know Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf or the Wonderful O but both sound like they would appeal to my boys. Don't know The Family Under the Bridge either but the others are all favourites. I can't imagine how many times I read Half Magic and The Green Knowe books and I can still remember the time in second grade when my teacher was reading us Tom's Midnight Garden and stopped for the day just before he stepped into the garden – I seriously don't think i could sleep that night wondering what he was going to find. The 101 Dalmations and Carbonel books were favourites too – at one point I think I forced our family pet cat to wear a crown I had made for him! Not sure if The Little Bookroom by Eleanor Farjeon qualifies as well-known but it was also a childhood favourite of mine. Also, want to put in a late bid for The Wind on the Moon by Eric Linklater – apparently that was writeen in the 1940s and is just brilliant.
Both the Little Bookroom and The Wind on the Moon almost made it on to their respective lists. If you haven't liked my facebook page yet, you should do so because I'm talking about the books I left off the list (and why).
I always look forward to your comment each week because you've read so many of the books!
We've read three from your list: Family Under the Bridge, The Children of Green Knowe, and The Wheel on the School. I've heard of all the others, but have yet to read them. I'd like to read my girls 101 Dalmations one of these days. I think they'd love it. And Clever Polly looks like fun.
Wonderful O sounds similar to Ella Minnow Pea. It would be fun to do a comparison.
I don't know Ella Minnow Pea. Sounds like I have some more reading to do.
I need to look for Karlson on the Roof!
For some reason the only Astrid Lindgren book we have read is Pippi. Looks like I may need to add some other to our to be read list!
Don't forget about The Children of Noisy Village. That's a wonderful book, too.