christianreader | Childhood reading

I recently finished a book called The Child That Books Built, by Francis Spufford. In general I didn't care for the book all that much - I disliked the author's tone, for one thing - but it's always intriquing to see what books a grown man or woman will remember as being especially powerful and formative during their childhood. Spufford makes particular mention of the Narnia books, The Hobbit, Alice in Wonderland ... and that got me thinking about my own favorites.

The first book I can remember reading and taking particular note of was Amelia Bedelia, that perennial classic. I have retained my love of wordplay to this day! From there I moved on to two series that kept me occupied for years: Little House on the Prairie and Nancy Drew. Both influenced my play as a child - my dad made me a miniature covered wagon, and my mom sewed me a bonnet, and I played 'Laura Ingalls Wilder' for many a happy afternoon. And when I was tired of being a pioneer girl, I'd go to my detective agency (set up in the corner of the garage) and solve dangerous and exciting cases, like Who Forgot To Feed the Fish This Morning?

For some reason, most of the other children's classics I happened upon much later in life. I was in my mid-teens before I discovered Lord of the Rings, or Anne of Green Gables or even Narnia.

What books do you remember from your childhood?