What were your favorite tales as a kid?

10-17-2005, 09:16 PM

I was particulary fond of Rikki Tikki Tavi, The Jungle Book and Little Black Samba. All of which have one thing in common - animals. I still have a love for stories that include animals; when I was in middle school (about age 9) I was in love with 'Big Red' and his large and extended family. I sort of got away from straight animal tales when I got older but in just about every book I read there is an animal playing a large part. Even romances, I find I end up reading those where the heroine is mad about cats or dogs or horses.

So what did you read oh so long ago and are there any themes you tended to stick to?

Princess Ivy · 10-17-2005, 09:39 PM

ohh, riki tiki tavi was my alltime favorite! and just so stories... loved the butterfly that stamped.
then of course elizabeth goudge, enid blighton, william, nancy drew ah, so much, i would read just about anything written.

littlemissattitude · 10-18-2005, 02:35 AM

Rumplestilskin. I made my father tell me that story every night when I was very young. And, in fact, it is partially responsible for my learning to read.

My dad got tired of telling the same story every night, so he would make alterations to it. I simply wouldn't have that, and would tell him to tell it to me "the right way". One night he got frustrated with me and told me that he'd had it and that if I wanted to hear the story again, I'd should learn to read it to myself. And so I did. I was reading by the time I was three.

But I don't think I really stuck to any one "theme" or subject matter. If it had words, I would read it, right from the beginning.

12-15-2005, 09:01 AM

my favorite story that brings back my favorite childhood memory it "Green Eggs and Ham"
I remember my mom reading it to me.....and now I passed it on to my four children...They all love it.....What makes me happy is that when my oldest son began reading...he would read it to my 2 nd son....now they love reading it to thier 2 younger sisters......
So for me it has to be "Green Eggs and Ham"..........

12-15-2005, 03:37 PM

That's a great one!! I love the Dr. Seuss books, they are classics. Favorites are of course the already mentioned Green Eggs and Ham, then there's Horton Hears a Who, and Horton Hatches the Egg, oh goodness, there are so many!

littlemissattitude · 12-18-2005, 08:43 PM

I have to add...I also always really liked "Rapunzel", but I must admit to liking the Fractured Fairy Tales version most of all. :biggrin:

murphy · 07-16-2006, 12:29 AM

Loved Kipling's the Jungle Books, which included Rikki Tiki Tavi. Wanted a mongoose for a pet to protect me from rattlesnakes.

My favorites were the Oz books and anything about dogs and horses. Loved Albert Payson Terhune, who wrote about collies. He bred and raised them so his stories were pretty realistic. Also liked My Friend Flicka and the subsequent sequels.

07-25-2006, 09:43 AM

Beauty and the Beast. I really loved this tale as a child and have since bought all the books I can find which either discuss the tale or are variations on it.

An Enid Blyton book called Tuppeny, feefo and Jinks. It was the first one I remember my mother buying for me and which I actually remember reading. I read it over and over until it pretty much fell apart and could not be mended anymore. I found a copy again in the UK earlier this year.

And for as long as I can remember The Cat Who Walks Alone by Rudyard Kipling has been a firm favourite over all else.

Princess Ivy · 07-28-2006, 11:56 AM

i had to re-read that after seeing your post. its great having kids, i can force a classical education on 'em

07-28-2006, 12:40 PM

This thread sent me back to my cupboard of children's books. There really are lovely books out there for children and with the most beautifully detailed illustrations too.