If you love children’s books for adults here’s an awesome list that you won’t be able to stop until you’ve read it all. They are heart warming.
“There was a boy called Eustance Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it… He didn’t call his Father and Mother “Father” and “Mother”, but Harold and Alberta. They were very up-to-date and advanced people.
They were vegetarians, non-smokers and teetotallers and wore a special kind of underclothes. In their house there was very little furniture and very few clothes on beds and the windows were always open.”
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis.
I love reading!
Before kids, I used to read a novel a week or more. Though I don’t have time for that now, and Netflix has come on the scene, I still do love a good book.
Unfortunately, one thing that bothers me about some novels is how explicit they are in nature.
Great Children’s Books For Adults
While I like a good spy novel or mystery, I don’t like reading dark and heavy stuff before bedtime.
Unfortunately, people like to make fun, but I genuinely love reading books for young adults or tweens! They are clean, wholesome, and often more witty than adult books are.
Maybe it’s me, but the story line is forced to be more creative since they can’t throw in murder, pillage, or nudity just to keep people turning the page.
So… if you’re looking for light-hearted, uplifting, and just plain good, here are my recommendations for “kid books” that are great for adults!
Read: All-Time Best Christian Parenting Books (According to Mom Reviews)
Individual Children’s Novels for Adults
Pick out a great book and go….
One of my best memories from Elementary school is going to the library (as a class) and listening to the “read aloud”. The librarian would sit us all down on the floor and take us on an adventure.
Why don’t we enjoy these fantastic children’s books today…as adults?
Clearly, as adults, we sometimes discount the beautiful, heartfelt stories that we can enjoy as well. They aren’t just for kids.
The following is a list of some individual children’s books for adults to enjoy:
- Charlotte’s Web
- A Wrinkle in Time
- Eloise
- A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The Story of Ferdinand
- The Giver
- Pippi Longstocking
- The Secret Garden
- Bridge to Terabithia
Novel Series for Adults
Pick a series and read on…
Maybe you’re looking for a more sustainable read? Try a series! These children’s books for adults are all in series that can be enjoyed for a while…
Don’t get bogged down on the fact that they are written for children. Just know that they are innocent, heartfelt, and full of adventure.
The Tillerman Cycle
You will laugh, and you will cry…. No matter what age you’re reading these sorties, you will recognize yourself through these witty characters.
The Tillerman Cycle series is an American family classic.
1. Homecoming
2. Dicey’s Song
3. A Solitary Blue
4. The Runner
5. Come a Stranger
6. Sons from Afar
7. Seventeen Against the Dealer
Calvin and Hobbes
Calvin and Hobbs is a childhood favorite of many people, and yet…still very enjoyable to read up into adulthood! In conclusion, If you love a good laugh, Calvin and Hobbs is for you!
1. The Essential Calvin and Hobbes
2. Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons
3. It’s a Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Anne of Green Gables
Ann of Greene Gables is a beloved childhood novel series that can be enjoyed for generations.
If you’ve experienced these novels, you know that it’s like real life happening on the pages in front of you. I recommend this series if you love a heart wrenching (and warming) story that will take you on adventures.
1. Anne of Green Gables
2. Anne of Avonlea
3. Anne of the Island
4. Anne of Windy Poplars
5. Anne’s House of Dreams
6. Anne of Ingleside
7. Rainbow Valley
8. Rilla of Ingleside
Little House on the Prairie
My mother began reading this series to me as a young child. We continued to read these books throughout the years and thoroughly enjoy them.
The Little House on then Prairie book series is truly an unforgettable read for children and a great children’s books for adults.
1. Little House in the Big Woods
2. Little House on the Prairie
3. On the Banks of Plum Creek
4. By the Shores of Silver Lake
5. The Long Winter
6. Little Town on the Prairie
7. These Happy Golden Years
8. The First Four Years
In Grandma’s Attic
In Grandma’s Attic is a pure, captivating, and hilarious serious to dig into! They’re great if you like short and enjoyable reads. You’ll be captivated by the humor and sensitivity found in it’s pages.
1. In Grandma’s Attic
2. More Stories from Grandma’s Attic
3. Still More Stories from Grandma’s Attic
4. Treasures from Grandma
5. Away from Home
6. A School of Her Own
7. Wedding Bells Ahead
8. At Home in North Branch
9. New Faces, New Friends
10. Stories from the Growing Years
Chronicles of Narnia
If you read these as a child, it’s time to revisit. You won’t believe the deep symbolism and meanings hidden within these stories.
As an adult, reading these books brought to life memories of my childhood and made me fall even more in love with the Chronicles of Narnia.
1. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
2. Prince Caspian
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
4. Silver Chair
5. The Horse and His Boy
6. The Magician’s Nephew
7. The Last Battle
Adult Themed Books that are Christian Based
If you’re looking for books with more adult content, but skip the filth or language found in many adult written books…look no further.
- The Masterpiece– This novel by Francine Rivers tells an unexpected story of redemptive love. The Masterpiece tells the story of richly detailed characters with dramatic pasts.
- The Prayer Box– The Prayer Box is a gripping story of exposition by Lisa Wingate. It that tells of a young mother who stumbles upon something that will change her life forever.
- Hurricane Season – A USA Today bestseller from Lauren K. Denton, Hurricane Season tells the story of a family’s unconventional journey to healing. It tells of the relationships involved and how they are mended in unusual ways.
- Before We Were Yours – This Blockbuster hit has had over two million sold. Before We Were Yours is a gripping historical fiction novel by Lisa Wingate. It that takes a chapter from history and turns it into a a powerful tale.
More Adult Books…
- Sold on a Monday– Sold on a Monday is an unforgettable historical fiction novel by Kristina McMorris. It brings to life a story of a mother facing impossible choices.
- The Book of Lost Friends – The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate is a dramatic historical fiction story. In this book, three young women search for their family during the post Civil War destruction.
- Danger in the Shadows – A novel by Dee Henderson, Danger in the Shadows, is an inspirational story. In this book, a young girl in witness protection that is desperate need of peace and security.
- Redeeming Love – Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is a Publishers Weekly bestseller and an epic story of pursuing love. It’s a gripping story set in History with the theme of Gomer and Hosea.
- The Girl in the Letter – The Girl in the Letter by Emily Gunnis is a compelling and desperately sad story. In this book, a girl is locked away and a mystery must be solved.
- A Lady in Disguise – A novel by Sandra Byrd, A Lady in Disguise, is an intriguing story of romance, mystery, murder, and a clever disguise.
- One Perfect Day – One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling, is a heart-wrenching story of two mothers entwined in ways they couldn’t believe.
If I’ve missed any that MUST BE on the list please leave a comment to spread the joy to others :)
Cynthia Voigt ~ Especially the Tillerman series. They are awesome!!
I may have to add these in. Ha ;)
I’ve been known to read children’s books as well including Little House, The Anne Books and The Grandma’s Attic Series! : ) I also love Jeanette Oak especially the Love Come Softly series which is actually written for young adults. I have a collection of children’s classics that I’m saving to read to my kids aloud when they are older, but I bought them as much for myself as I did for them. :)
Also, have you read Francine Rivers? The Mark of the Lion series and Redeeming Love are AMAZING!!! They are christian adult novels and deal with heavy topics, but they are so worth it!!!
Oh, Missy, I LOVEEEE Francine Rivers and particularly the Mark of the Lion series. I really enjoy “young adult” books because they are just more wholesome, you know? I can’t wait until I can read Little House and Anne with my daughter. Ha. PLanning ahead ;)
I loved the Melendy series and also the Penderwick books (they are wonderful!) and I’ve a huge Calvin & Hobbes fan :)
Love all the ones you mentioned, huge kids book fan :) have recently discovered a newer series, “Gregor the underland chronicles” (by Suzanne Collins, author of the hunger games, but I like better :) ) and if you dont mind alittle greek mythology/fantasy, the percy jackson books by Rick Riordan are really fun and engaging dialog as well. Ilder favorites from my childhood include All of a kind Family (series), Owls in the Family, and Homer Price books are funny as well :)
Oh that sounds awesome, that series. I’ll add it to the list :)
Hi! I love young adult fiction! I just thought you should know that the Giver is the first in a series of 4! They’re all fantastic.
I also like the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins (younger audience and not gruesome like Hunger Games). Everything Margaret Peterson Haddix is worth reading. Also Magnus by Sigmund Brouwer. I could come up with a lot more but I’ll stop there.