***This piece, the third in a four-part series, has been updated, but was originally written in October 2004. It is dedicated to my sister, Victoria Austen-Moon (pictured below) who has a Master’s in Creative Writing and was a voracious reader before her accident in 2012. Unfortunately, this is the only piece we ever collaborated on.

Part of raising children who will positively impact this world includes making sure they can interact with the issues, ideas, ethical questions, and history of their times. In other words, it means making sure they are culturally literate. One of the most enjoyable ways to do this is by reading the classics to your kids. Great stories stimulate the imagination and expand horizons. When we read these wonderful tales, it is like going back in time again ourselves. It is also, as my daughter will attest (eight at the time this was originally written!), a fun time to snuggle. Here are a few tips:

1. Try to set aside a regular time(s) during the week when you are not spent. It is hard to read with appropriate expression and enjoyment when you are tired. You’ll want to have the energy to experiment with different voices and enjoy hearing your kids laugh.
2. When possible, use upcoming movies as an incentive for reading. When Peter Jackson began working on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, I challenged my two boys (then ten and twelve): “If you want to see the movies, you have to read the books first.” They accepted my challenge and have now read what is considered one of the greatest works of fantasy in modern literature.
3. View the purchase and collection of children’s classic literature as an investment.  By purchasing beautifully illustrated hardback copies (e.g. Sterling Publishing Co. has inexpensive unabridged options), you will be investing in your kid’s kids as well. Of course, you can still read, and may prefer, the paperback version. Either way, if you like collecting books, this may be a good excuse to justify the expense!
4. Consider contributing to the cultural literacy of your community. You might find that you enjoy reading certain classic stories so much that you want to share them with others. Volunteer to do a “Story Time” at your local school, church, library, or other community organization. If nothing like this exists, consider starting something.

Here are a few favorites to consider as you get started:

The Tales of Beatrix Potter

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

The Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lingren

For younger children, poetry is an excellent choice, because they respond so well to the rhythm of the language. Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses is a great choice.

For resources to get started as a parent, try:

The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

100 Best Books for Children by Anita Silvey

Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children’s Literature by Elizabeth Wilson

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Your Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox

When I originally wrote this article, I ended it by saying: “The above are just a few examples of well-loved classics that will provide rich experiences for you and your children right into the holidays. So grab a blanket to snuggle under, make some hot chocolate, and enjoy.” Here’s the update for summer: Skip the blanket, and find a cool, comfortable spot with some lemonade!