Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. You can read their blog here.  

Top 10 Tuesday: Childhood Favorites

So this week for Top 10 Tuesday we are looking at books which we read as children (or were read to us). We think it’s safe to that a love for books was instilled from an early age. In no particular order, here are our childhood favorites:

1. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant by David Mckee

Amber: When deciding which books to add to our first top 10 list, Elmer was the first book that jumped to mind. From being a little kid, to acting out this book in my primary school play, this book holds dear to my heart. A book I’ll never forget reading. As a child, it was incredibly engaging!

Rahul: This is one of my favorite books to read in primary school. I remember reading every day during school break. Definitely deserves Number 1 spot on our top 10 list.

Aasiyah: I remember reading this all the time, especially when I was in nursery. If you've not read this you've not lived!!

2. The Lion King

Aasiyah: This. Book. Is. Freaking. Amazing. It has so many life lessons as well told by my favourite character Rafiki :)

Rahul: My favorite book and film of all time. Disney did an amazing job. Fun Fact: Most of Disney’s top animators wanted to go work on Pocahontas, as they thought that it would be bigger and better, leaving The Lion King with “Sloppy Seconds”. As it turns out The lion King rose to the 1st highest grossing animated film in the world and taking in $987,483,77. Its record was only beaten in 16 years later by the release of Toy Story 3 and then again in 2013 with Frozen, Which now clams 1st position.

Amber: One of my favourite Disney films out there, which I’m sure is the general consensus! This story is beautifully told, and really shows you the meaning of family and loyalty. Forever a classic.

3. The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Rahul: Again one of the best children’s books ever written, it’s so simply but so effective and for me, it really engages the parent and the child to interact by counting the amount of food the caterpillar ate.

Aasiyah: I just used to look at the different food he used to eat: P

Amber: Again, a childhood favourite of many. Not only eye catching, but fun and interactive for the child and parent to both participate in.

4. The Magic Key Series by Rodrick Hunt

Amber: One of the earliest books I remember reading as a child, and seeing it turn into a TV show had me beyond excited!

Aasiyah: These guys taught me how to read…if it wasn't for them I’d still be illiterate.

Rahul: Biff, chip and the gang were the ones that taught me how to read and without them I don’t know where I would be.

5. Mr Men and Little Miss by Roger Hargreaves

Aasiyah: There is a little miss or Mr. Men book for everyone. I’d say I’m Little Miss         Chatterbox.

Amber: I’ll be honest here and say I used to watch the episodes before I got into the books, but this franchise spread widely! The books were more of a collective thing people bought, rather than read them daily.

Rahul: to this day I still have my Mr. Men Read - a book – day series. I’d have to say that my favorite book of the series is Mr. Small’s holiday.

6. Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridewell

Rahul: I loved Clifford the Big Red Dog and especially when the TV series came out, it was all I ever used to watch.

Amber: Now I’ve never been afraid of dogs, but Clifford could surely turn the coldest of hearts warm. He was such a lovable character, and the sweetest dog anyone could have imagined having. I’m sure a lot of little kids begged their parents for a dog like Clifford!

Aasiyah: I love dogs anyway…but big red ones that listen to you when you read them a story and who have a huge kennel in your backyard where you store all your books? Count me in.

7. The BFG by Roald Dahl

Amber: Roald Dahl is indescribable in his own right. His works of fiction had the hearts of every child, including mine.

Rahul: 4 worlds are only needed to be said about this book. The Big Friendly Giant!

Aasiyah: For me, not only The BFG but every single one of Roald Dahl’s books are my favorite.

8. Charlie and Lola by Lauren Child

Aasiyah: I wish I had an older brother like Charlie.

Rahul: Charlie and Lola taught me so much about being a better brother for my siblings.

Amber: Charlie and Lola made me wish I had a sibling relationship as good as theirs.

9. Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson

Rahul: I used to love reading Tracy breaker. Jacqueline Wilson is an amazing writer, she has quite a talent.

Aasiyah: I think if I was one of the social workers in the dumping ground I would have killed Tracy years ago.

Amber: Ah, one of my absolute favourites! I used to love the cheek and chatter of Tracy, and all the characters that would get on her bad site, not forgetting Elaine the Pain. Totally a book I would get my children to read.

10. Rainbow Magic by Daisy Meadows

Amber: Another series I had an obsession to collect. Amber the Orange Fairy was my favourite, which I’m sure you could tell why.

Aasiyah: This was one of those rare times I read a girly book and I didn't hate it.