World Book Day: My Top Children's Books

World Book Day is here and it's a time to celebrate books, reading and some of fiction's most-loved characters.

World Book Day is a charity event in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It occurs every year on the first Thursday of March.

I always remember World Book Day being a big thing when I was in primary school. As someone who loved to read even back then, I looked forward to being able to celebrate books and reading.

For those in school, the custom became that when World Book Day arrived, you would go to school dressed as your favourite literary character. I can't remember who I dressed up as but I know that there are a lot of books that I absolutely loved as a child and still love now.

So as it is World Book Day, I thought I'd share some recommendations for children's books. Some of these may not appeal to everyone, but this list is based on my personal preference.

However, there is one book I remember reading in school that I absolutely loved. It was about bats in a sanctuary and I cannot for the life of me remember its name or author, so if you know what book I'm talking about, drop me a message; otherwise, enjoy these recommendations.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Starting with an obvious, I'm not sure I've ever met a child who wasn't fascinated and mesmerised by the world of Harry Potter and his wizarding friends.

This series of books is one of the best I've read. Reading about Harry's adventures from finding out he's a wizard to learning to fly and then facing off against Voldemort and saving Hogwarts is fantastical.

The books transport you to Hogwarts and, especially because of the film franchise, a lot of children can feel as if they know the characters. And that's why Harry, Ron and Hermione tend to be common characters to dress up as for World Book Day. I know I loved Hermione and probably dressed up as her one or two times.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

When my sister and I were younger, we used to love The Gruffalo. In fact, because apparently when we were children we were good at not ruining things, this book is still in our loft.

The Gruffalo is such a wholesome children's book and I do think that kids nowadays are probably missing out on the experience of reading some of these books. Julia Donaldson wrote a book through rhyming couplets and colourful illustrations that teaches kids that size doesn't matter because being the biggest doesn't necessarily make you the smartest.

Although, dressing up as The Gruffalo may not be the easiest choice for World Book Day.

Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Greek mythology. Gods and Goddesses. Quests over the world.

These three things summarise the Percy Jackson series but it's not just a Greek mythology series. It's about identity, friendship and family.

I must admit, I didn't read these books when I was younger. I began reading them last year when I started studying Young Adult literature for my degree but I became hooked - even now at 22, Rick has made me love his series.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

This series is another one of fantastical creatures and magical worlds, but it is a book franchise that made it to the big screen because it teaches kids about family, love and trust.

The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the top five books I recommend when people ask about children's books. I just think the vast cast of characters and the stories of epic battles between good and bad are some worth reading.

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Much like Percy Jackson, I read this children's book for university. It tells the story of a deaf girl struggling to fit in and how a whale helps her accept her deafness and becomes a friend.

I think if I had read this book when I was a child, I would have loved it. It is a heart-warming story that children can understand as showing the difficulties of being different, but ultimately that it doesn't matter.

Jacqueline Wilson Books

Now, for this recommendation, I haven't specified a certain book. No, I've just gone for the author instead.

I remember my friend and I used to love Jacqueline's books when we were younger, whether that be Hetty Feather, Lily Alone, Tracey Beaker, The Longest Whale Song, or another of her many books. I can still picture some of the covers even now, which I think just shows how much I used to read these books and liked them.

I could go on and on listing children's books for you on World Book Day and share my thoughts, but I won't. What I will do though is list a few more of the top children's books I enjoyed when I was younger for you:

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

• The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

• Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

• His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

• Roald Dahl's books

I hope these recommendations of children's books inspire you this World Book Day, either to read them to your family or to try and remember books from your childhood.

Otherwise, happy World Book Day!

Until next time...