I'm looking for something "oldtimey", books where you can immediately tell that they were written in a different time, but that are still accessible to a contemporary reader. English isn't my first language and I gave up on Shakespeare, but I have no trouble reading contemporary novels, so that might give you an idea of what's within my reach. I read The Secret Garden last summer and absolutely loved it, so something in that vein would be great. And if you have any contemporary recommendations with the same vibe that's fair game as well. Books like A Series of Unfortunate Events would definitely interest me, I often love when newer works take the oldfashioned tropes and run with them!
by ohcoffeedragon
9 Comments
E Nesbit, children’s classics set in the edwardian/late victorian era, if you liked the Secret Garden I think you will love her. Whilst the Railway Children is the most famous I much prefer the 5 children and it, and the sequels.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Children_and_It
It’s been a long time since I read any of them, but I liked Enid Blyton books as a kid. The Famous Five and Secret Seven series are more novelly, there’s the magic faraway tree which was illustrated nicely too.
Enid Blyton has some classics.
I love Barbara Sleigh’s Carbonel series (witches and cats, amazing)
Anne of Green Gables
Peter Pan
**Mary Poppins**!
There are more books than you’d think (8, I believe?), the first ones were written in the 1930s/40s and definitely reflect the attitudes of that time, while also being delightful. The original Mary Poppins is less sweet than in the Disney film, but an extraordinary, fun character. (Newer editions have at least one chapter that was edited to get rid of some racist stereotypes.)
ETA – Not originally in English:
* **The Six Bullerby Children** (also published as *The Children of Noisy Village*) by Astrid Lindgren – idyllic childhood life in early 20th century Sweden
* **Emil and the Detectives** by Erich Kästner – children’s detective story set in 1920s Berlin
You’ll find lots here in English language
[https://www.fadedpage.com/](https://www.fadedpage.com/)
Just tap on appropriate tag(s) to filter such as “children’s” or “young reader”. Best viewed on a desktop browser and screen.
These are all public domain works. LM Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame began her writing career writing children’s stories. You’ll find most of her published works here, even those only published in periodicals.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the same author as The Secret Garden
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A little Princess
Heidi
The Railway Children
Black Beauty
Classic kids books that can be enjoyed by all ages. Although I haven’t read Black Beauty of The Railway Children since I was a child. Although still have my copy of Black Beauty. I loved A little princess.