My top five books for boys and top five books for girls this Christmas

As Christmas approaches, plenty of parents are hoping that the joy of books can still compete with the draw of the newest – and most expensive – games console. As someone who grew up surrounded by Richard Scarry and Dr. Seuss tomes I wholeheartedly agree. So here are my top five books for boys and top five books for girls.

 

For boys

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. A little obvious perhaps but every child should be given the chance to read the J.K. Rowling masterpieces, if only so they can understand the references to the series so commonplace in a child’s (and adult’s) life. 
• The Twits. A magnificent handbook for creating mischief, Roald Dahl began a tradition for creating outlandish pranks that continued into future classics such as Matilda. There are also valuable lessons regarding cruelty and how it will consume you. And there are monkeys, did I mention the performing monkeys? 
• A Series of Unfortunate Events. Master of entanglement Lemony Snicket weaves 13 books into an elaborate and grandiose adventure, focusing on three very likeable (and unlucky) lead characters. Buy the complete box set and make sure you don’t give them to any child with too nervous a disposition. 
• The Secret Garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett taps into the loneliness and isolation children often feel, whether through grief, disability or social standing. The happy ending is a celebration of what can happen when hard work pays off. This should be on every little person’s bookcase. 
• The Borrowers. I loved these books when I was young. Recycling and waste are hidden themes, as is the persecution of a disadvantaged community. However, most children just enjoy the grand adventures the Borrowers embark upon. Don’t be surprised to find skirting boards closely inspected for tiny doorways once these have been read.

For girls

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. A little obvious perhaps but every child should be given the chance to read the J.K. Rowling masterpieces, if only so they can understand the references to the series so commonplace in a child’s (and adult’s) life. 
• The Twits. A magnificent handbook for creating mischief, Roald Dahl began a tradition for creating outlandish pranks that continued into future classics such as Matilda. There are also valuable lessons regarding cruelty and how it will consume you. And there are monkeys, did I mention the performing monkeys? 
• A Series of Unfortunate Events. Master of entanglement Lemony Snicket weaves 13 books into an elaborate and grandiose adventure, focusing on three very likeable (and unlucky) lead characters. Buy the complete box set and make sure you don’t give them to any child with too nervous a disposition. 
• The Secret Garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett taps into the loneliness and isolation children often feel, whether through grief, disability or social standing. The happy ending is a celebration of what can happen when hard work pays off. This should be on every little person’s bookcase. 
• The Borrowers. I loved these books when I was young. Recycling and waste are hidden themes, as is the persecution of a disadvantaged community. However, most children just enjoy the grand adventures the Borrowers embark upon. Don’t be surprised to find skirting boards closely inspected for tiny doorways once these have been read.

So there you have it, my top five books for boys and my top five books for girls. Or my top five books for children as I should have perhaps called it, because let’s not segregate children by gender by default, despite the continuing efforts of retailers to make it the norm.

Happy reading!

Resist the epidemic of book gendering!

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