Bangalore: A good book is a person’s best friend. Books engage not only our intellect but also our imagination. Good reading habits are, hence, very important and should be inculcated at an early age. There are many good books for children but some just stand out for their unique and unconventional nature. These books not only add diversity to reading but also help in broadening one’s perspective to look at atypical things. These books are considered to be timeless classics and are a must-read for children. These all-time favourites are as follows:

1) Matilda:

‘Matilda’ was written by Roald Dahl, who needs no introduction for he has written numerous stories and poems for children. Matilda is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary girl, with the power of telekinesis. This little tyke is a model child, who would be desired by all sound-minded parents. Matilda, however, is not blessed with the best parents and hence, takes refuge in books. Her adventures begin when she starts going to public school, which seems to have the world’s worst principal. Despite the odds, Matilda learns to gain control over her power and also learns how people are either good or bad and have no other classification. She also makes friends along the way and understands how kids and grown-ups are basically the same, except for a few details.

2) Harriet the Spy: ‘

Harriet the Spy’ was written by Louise Fitzhugh. This story is about an enthusiastic young girl, who wants to become a Spy. She is encouraged by her nanny to write and express her thoughts in a written form. She documents little aspects of her life and writes mostly about her friends and the people she meets. She has a little black note-book, where she writes down her thoughts about people. She even goes on spy expeditions but of small proportions. However, something happens and Harriet becomes alienated from her friends. This story explores the importance of free will, thought, speech and writing and also how sometimes apologizing to our beloved is not a bad thing. It also focuses on how children view their peers and like to have their take on things.