Children should read classic literature. They should read the best of what is available in the imaginary world. The stories, poems, and plays that make up the canon of classic children’s literature are the best, and, therefore, that’s what children should read.
The classics do not earn such a title because they have some label placed on their front covering stating: “Read me. I am the best.” They have earned the title because they have been read by your great grandmother, grandmother, and mother and were recommended to you by each of them. The classics are timeless and universal; they get at the heart of what it means to be human. They spark the imagination in ways that ensure the story sticks with the reader. They showcase admirable characters, yet with flaws just like everyone else. They are human stories that raise the expectation of what is possible—or impossible, but exciting to imagine—and worth pursuing, as well as what it means to be good.
Classic literature should be read because the books themselves, and the stories they contain, are good.
The goodness of classic literature
The quality of one’s thoughts flows from what one thinks about. If a child reads book after book filled with characters behaving badly, who seem to have no moral compass and show no remorse for their unsavory actions, the stories will begin to affect how the child thinks about the world and the people around them. They may have lower expectations for how their friends and neighbors ought to behave. They may also begin to have lower standards for the books they choose next. The opposite is also possible: Reading excellent stories raises the expectation for excellence in storytelling and humans, for what is expected of their neighbor and friend. The same goes for watching trashy television shows and movies. The best of the best raises the bar, the worst of the worst lowers it.
Now, I admit, I may be exaggerating a bit, but only a little bit. If a child is raised in a good home with good parents who instill a sense of what is right and wrong and teach their children to seek out excellence, they may be less affected by the quality of the stories they read. But I do think it is possible for anyone with any sort of upbringing to have their view of the world altered by the stories, poems, and theatrical performances—literary or otherwise—they consume. So, why risk it? Present to children only the best, the good stuff of life.
When it comes to curating a library, presenting the good stuff of life is best achieved by stocking their shelves with classic literature—the good stories, poems, and plays that have withstood the test of time. Poorly written books may be enjoyed as pure entertainment from time to time, but they are easily forgotten. Good fiction sticks with children. It informs how they think about life. It gives them a new experience that cannot be had in any other way. Plus, good stories are more informative; they teach about the art of language and storytelling, and they teach about living.
Spotting a good book
The classics are classic, by and large, because they are considered good. Not just wholesome, but also well-written. A mark of a good story is depth of description. Good stories go into such detail that the reader cannot help but visualize exactly what the world the writer has created is like. Such depth helps children understand not only the world told through the story, but the world that they themselves inhabit. A good book holds up a mirror to the real world and reflects it in a way that is helpful for children to grasp. Furthermore, good books present concepts that may be difficult to understand when first encountered but are, nonetheless, instructive in how the reader interprets the world outside of the story. And they showcase the complexity of language and how to use it effectively, expanding a child’s vocabulary and thus their ability to express themselves and fully articulate what they observe.
The multiplying joy of a good Book
Importantly, good stories bring children joy, which creates a snowball effect. They make a child think: “I loved that book! What shall I read next?” They invoke a love of reading. When children love to read, they read more often. When children read more often, they become better readers. And when children become better readers, they have access to more stories, and to more knowledge. Their interest in reading goes beyond fiction to encompass all of what is available in the written world. They will still want to read what interests them, of course, but the possibilities of what can be read are endless. On the flip side, if a child dislikes the books that he reads, and thus decides that he doesn’t like reading, he stops reading good stories and may halt, or never begin, his pursuit of knowledge via the written world. As a result, his world narrows. There are successful people who are mediocre readers, I have no doubt, but they have limits that well-read individuals do not.
To be sure, good stories may not be easy for a child to read at first. They may be difficult and require help from an adult. If this is the case, the solution is simple: parents and children, or teachers and children, can read the stories together. If the story is good, and the child deems it as such, they’ll want to read it again, maybe the next time on their own. When it comes to a good story, overcoming any difficulty the reader encounters is worth it; a second reading may bring about a fresh perspective or deeper insight, as is often the case with good books.
Just read classic literature
All in all, the message is clear: Read the classics—children and everyone else. Read them because they will enrich your imagination and understanding of the world. Read them because they are timeless and will resonate with you no matter your age or in what part of the world you live. Read them because they will expand your vocabulary and understanding of language. Read them because they tell the human story, even if played out through animals living in the depths of a forest. Read them because they raise the bar for excellence. Read them because they are good.