When I was young, going to the local library was a special treat for me. My dad would take my siblings and me every Saturday, and we would spend at least two hours just browsing the rows and rows of shelves and reading as many books as we could get our hands on. We each had our own library card, which back in those days was a thin piece of cardboard on which the librarian would handwrite the books we were borrowing and then put a date stamp on it. My library visits definitely played a big role in turning me into a book lover, and the classic children’s authors played a huge part in that.
Once I had my own children, I started taking them to the library as soon as they were old enough. They, too, have developed a love of reading, starting from the simplest of books when they were toddlers to now reading novels. Although audiobooks and eBooks are becoming the norm, there is nothing better than sitting down with a good paper book just before bedtime or on a rainy afternoon.
The library is also a great alternative to screen time for my kids. The screen provides instant gratification, whereas a book builds up the story and allows the mind to take over, trying to work out the storyline and creating the images in the head. More often than not, books are better than the movie versions!
The value of libraries for children
Libraries provide a safe space for children’s minds to learn and grow. Children are exposed to choice. They can borrow as many different books as they want until they discover a genre that they love. Reading from an early age helps a child’s brain grow and strengthen, and by visiting their local library, they are learning to accept reading as a part of life.
These days, libraries offer so much for both children and adults:
- Free use of computers, Wi-Fi and fast internet access
- Calendar of programs and events
- Story time for kids
- Book clubs
- Book readings from authors
- Activities, games and puzzles
- eBooks, audiobooks and videos
Whether it’s a rainy day, school holidays or just a casual visit here and there for a school project or research the library is a place where you can let your mind get lost in a book and let your imagination run wild.
31 children’s authors every kid should read
There is never a lack of books a child can read. From newer authors to the classics, there is something for every child. When it comes to children’s authors, there are some that stand out for the team at the City of Gold Coast libraries. From picture books to early readers and chapter books, the list of authors reflect those from the team’s past as well as the diversity and inclusion that guide their book choices today.
- Enid Blyton
- Lewis Carroll
- Joy Cowley
- Roald Dahl
- Terry Deary
- Maurice Gee
- Morris Gleitzman
- Andy Griffiths
- David Hill
- Des Hunt
- Brian Jacques
- Paul Jennings
- Jeff Kinney
- Jack Lasenby
- C.S Lewis
- Margaret Mahy
- John Marsden
- Michael Morpurgo
- Gary Paulsen
- Tamora Pierce
- Terry Pratchett
- Philip Pullman
- Celia Rees
- Rick Riordan
- J.K Rowling
- Louis Sachar
- Robert Louis Stevenson
- Robert Swindells
- J.R.R Tolkien
- Jacqueline Wilson
- E.B White
Of course, books are such a personal thing, so I understand if there are some authors who have been excluded from this list that you believe shouldn’t have been. This is a highly subjective, not-at-all scientific list of children’s authors every child should read at least one book of.
How many of these children’s authors have you read? Are there any authors you would add to the list?
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