Whimsy and delight, tenderness and heart. Such are the paths that Anne of Avonlea traipses down in this marvelous sequel to Anne of Green Gables.

This is a delightful and short read. Full of humor and whimsy, it’s a story clearly aimed at younger children. It explores the wonderful, enchanted life of a girl named Nim and her experiences on a remote island, largely on her own.

With only his imprisoned father’s promise that they will be reunited after the war, Rudi must learn how to survive in hiding, how to be truly brave, and how to overcome the hatred of his enemies. He must learn to die to himself and to trust the God.

An orphaned boy and a kidnapped horse gallop for Narnia…and freedom. The Horse and His Boy is a wonderful, often surprising, and always engaging adventure.

The Prince of Narnia has gone missing and it’s up to Jill, Eustace, and a curious Marshwiggle named Puddleglum to find him.

The adventures of Edmund, Lucy, and the insupportable (but later quite wonderful) Eustace, their cousin, as they are once again drawn into Narnia.

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children’s novel since the mid-twentieth century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, who was mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings; Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, originally intending to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

Caspian is a treat. It is a window into a bygone era, not only in time, but into the human psyche. The fact that many of us do not, like Caspian, long for the “Old Narnia” is a genuine tragedy. For the river of heroism and nobility which in our day is but a trickle, still gushes strong and clean and pure from the source.

This is at once very much a children’s story and at the same time a story for all people at all times. But it is best read through a child-like lens, remembering what it was like to hide in closets or imagine you were a knight or some other sort of hero, saving the day.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a scrumptious read. This wonderful book by Roald Dahl is a whimsical tale about confections and children, both virtuous and greedy.