We all love a good story. Even the best movies, videogames and TV shows often have their roots in literature, and it’s pretty clear why once you let yourself sink into a cosy chair and immerse yourself in the world before you.

Storytime is always appreciated with the little ones and it’s definitely important for them to explore their imaginations from an early age. Children quickly get a handle on which stories speak to them – so don’t be surprised if you read a book from cover to cover and they immediately want to start again. Luckily it’s fun for adults as well – in fact, there are some books we can just never put down for long.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

The magic and dark wit of Roald Dahl makes Charlie & the Chocolate Factory a consistent delight to read, especially in conjunction with Quentin Blake’s scruffy yet stylish illustrations.

Willy Wonka’s unique take on the confectionery industry is a million miles from how chocolate is actually made, but the classic tale is all the better for it. After all, who among us could deny a sip of a Fizzy Lifting Drink?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Although American author Eric Carle has a few colourful and imaginative children’s books to his name, the one that everyone always remembers is The Very Hungry Caterpillar and it’s one of my favourites that I remember from my childhood. Perhaps it’s because everyone can relate to having days in which all we want to do is eat everything and then take a nap.

The big red face and bobbly green body of the Hungry Caterpillar, together with the inventive holes punched into each page, make this story as tactile as it is endearing. It’s no wonder then that they’ve made a stage show of the whole thing.

The Harry Potter series

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and if there’s one set of books that’s completely revitalised popular literature for kids and adults alike, it’s Harry Potter. Although there’s plenty to be said for the films, the games and even the Warner Bros Studio Tour, there’s something about the books themselves that give the purest form of imaginative adventure.

The young and the young at heart love to imagine themselves taking on the forces of evil with spells and powers, and if school was as fun as Hogwarts, well – who’d ever want to leave?

The Cat in the Hat

The famous Dr Seuss and his way with words have become the stuff of legends in cinema and literature alike, but the good Doctor first began his sensational shenanigans with The Cat in the Hat (a book I loved reading when was a child)

Designed for younger readers but a pleasure for all ages, the story sees the famous Cat in the Hat show up unannounced to help a couple of kids get through a boring rainy day. Of course, like many of the Dr Seuss creatures, he gets a bit carried away in all the fun, but soon learns a lesson about the importance of good behaviour and tidying up.

What books do you like reading with your children time and time again?

*Collaborative post

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