If someone were to say to you, I want you to create a library of books for my newborn child. I want you to fill it with books that every child should read throughout their younger years. Special books they will remember. They can be beautiful tales, hilarious ones, sad ones, all are welcome, but I want them to be books that inspire the imagination and will be held close to their hearts. Books they will always want to keep and share with their own children one day.

What books would you include in this ‘Every Child’s Library’?

This is the challenge that I put to you, gr readers. I need your help to make a list of the bestest (I know that’s not a word!) books that should be in every child’s library. From the very beginning up to age 12. We can share this so new mums and dads can begin their own child’s library and add to it over time.

What books did you read as a child that you remember? Maybe they are even still on your bookshelves! What books have your children, or your grandchildren, loved? Maybe there are new books that you feel will last the test of time. If you’re a librarian then you’ll be sure to have many books to suggest.

So please tell me, what should be included in our special child’s library?

I imagine you’ll include a range of classics. How about Australian titles like The Muddleheaded Wombat, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie or The Magic Pudding? And what about New Zealand titles? We need to ensure they are boldly represented. New Zealand readers we need you! Will international classics like Peter Pan and Little Women have a space on our shelves? We need to be diverse, including books from countries around the world from East to West. Do you have some favourite books from Asia?

For the very young will you include books like Where’s Spot? and Dear Zoo, Possum Magic and The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Maybe you won’t?

But what about more recently released books? Books by Philip Pulman, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s ‘13-Story Treehouse’ series and the rollicking ‘Percy Jackson’ series. Do you have any fascinating non-fiction books for kids that you want to add to the shelves? Welcome to Country and Young Dark Emu are two that come to mind for me. Recently there have been some terrific books for kids on animals, space and the world.

I know you’re probably reading this and saying to me, but what about Roald Dahl (all of his books of course) and the ‘Deltora Quest’ books, the amazing ‘Tashi’ series, books by Jacqueline Harvey, Sally Rippin, the ‘Harry Potter’ series and the wonderful Charlotte’s Web! What about Animalia! I can hear you shouting books and authors to me!

Do books like Blinky Bill stand the test of the modern day to be included? Noddy and Big Ears? ‘The Famous Five’ and ‘The Secret Seven’? These were written in a different place and time to our modern lives, but does that make them any less appealing?

It’s up to you to fill our shelves. I would love you to go online to our website where you’ll find an online form to fill in so you can send us the titles you’d like to recommend to be included in our ‘Every Child’s Library’.

If you can’t get online then you can email me or even post a list!

I am very excited and looking forward to seeing what books you’re going to choose. The books most voted for will make up the list. But I’m also hoping I’ll find some books you recommend that are new to me and to gr readers. Little surprise gems.

I can’t wait.

Rowena

And Baxter, rain, rain, go away, come again another day … I can’t hold on much longer!