I love old children’s books, and
have been listening to free MP3 versions of some classics over the summer. The
stories are simple, perhaps. But there’s something wonderful about happy
endings, about stories without violence or illicit sexuality, and about the
picture of another time that comes through the best narratives. And while I
listened, I was surprised to find that some of them expressed good theology,
too.
The suggestions below are books
in the public domain. You can find free mp3 files for all of them through www.Librivox.org , and all of them are
available to download for free for Kindle through Amazon.com. Of course, they may
be available though your local library, too.
Here are a few of my favorites:
The Railway Children, by Edith Nesbit – When Father is called away
suddenly and mysteriously, Mother and the three children move to Three
Chimneys, a home in the country close to a railroad station. The book tells of
the adventures of the children, and of the friends they make in the little
town. Mother expresses trust in God’s
providence in a difficult situation and urges the children to pray. I
especially liked this book because it wasn’t overly moralistic—as many older books
are—and showed the children both quarreling and making up. I highly recommend
the Librivox version of this book, read dramatically by Karen Savage. If you
enjoy this book, look for The Treasure
Seekers and other books by this author.
Heidi, by Johanna Spyri—Heidi is a young orphan girl, sent to live
with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps. At first he has no use for
the girl, but over the next three years they learn to love each other. Heidi is
taken away from her grandfather to become a companion to a rich girl in the
city. While there, the girl’s grandmother teaches Heidi about God, and later,
redemption also comes to Grandfather on the mountain.
Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe—Shipwrecked on a desert island,
having only what he can salvage from the sinking ship, Robinson Crusoe learns
to make do, and to be grateful for what he has. Crusoe finds God on the island,
and repents of his former wicked ways. Younger children may find that the
action moves a little slowly, but it’s sure to capture the imagination of older
boys.
Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss—This Christian classic
tells the story of a young believer’s life from her teen years through old age.
This is an excellent book for mothers and daughters to read or listen to
together.
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, by Mary Mapes Dodge—Hans and his
sister hope to win the beautiful silver skates that are offered as first prize
in a race. The children in the story demonstrate selflessness, honor and
respect for parents in this story set in the Netherlands. Christianity is
portrayed as a natural part of life in praying for others and thanking God for the
wonders of medicine.
Pollyanna, by Eleanor Porter—After the death of her missionary
father, Pollyanna moves in with her strict Aunt Polly. Despite the grim
circumstances, Pollyanna chooses to play the “Glad Game” taught to her by her
Father, always looking for something to be happy about in any circumstance. The
book falls short in that it treats a positive attitude as the end goal instead
of gratitude to the Giver of All Good Gifts, but the story is helpful and
uplifting and I recommend it with that one caveat. This is book one in a
series.
Anne of Green Gables (Series
of 12 books), by L M Montgomery—Anne is a young orphan girl, sent to live with
an elderly brother and sister by mistake —they had wanted a boy to help with
farm chores. But Anne charms them and the community with her joy in life and
her dramatic emotions. Christianity is portrayed as a natural part of life,
though perhaps not as central to her decision-making processes as we might
wish.
