5 Books I Wish I Had Read As A Kid

Sometimes I read a book and wonder how I would have reacted to it as a kid. There are so many books that I’m late in getting to because unfortunately I can’t read all the books in the world. So this Children’s Day I’m making a list of all the books I wish I had read as a kid.

(Let’s not look into the fact that I’m a tiny bit late, it actually still might be 14th November somewhere in the world…. Bless timezones)

1. Ritu Weds Chandni

Ritu Weds Chandni is the most adorable and colourful picture book I’ve ever seen! It’s about an Indian wedding where little Ayesha sees her cousin Ritu getting married to Chandni. I had tears in my eyes at how inclusive and beautifully written this story was. Absolutely amazing! This wold have introduced little me to the LGBTQ+ community so much earlier. I wish books like these were around back then. Even now, Indian publishers refused to publish this book and the author had to publish it elsewhere. Sigh. We can only hope things get better.

2. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe is definitely one of the best middle-grade books I’ve ever read. I absolutely adore it for its diversity, amazing characters, relationships and the introduction of science fiction to young readers. Even as I was reading it I was wishing I were a bit more younger and in the target audience of the book. Past me would have been obsessed with this book for years, okay?

3. And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three is another picture book that makes me go uwu.

It’s based off two real-life male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who become partners and raise a little chick. Gosh, I love penguins and gay penguins??? I’m dead. This is so freaking adorable, and again, a great way to introduce kids to the normalcy of LGBTQ community. If I were a kid who had this book I would probably read it every single night.

4. Esme’s Wish

I had the luck of stumbling upon Esme’s Wish through a blog tour and god I had such an amazing time with this book. It has an amazing plot, a great cast and oh my god the magic system can make you drool. And the dragons!!! I seriously never got the hype of dragons in the book community but if I had read Esme’s Wish as a kid I’m pretty sure my room would have been decorated with dragons. It’s just a very magical duology that I would absolutely recommend to you whether you’re 8 or 80 years old 🙂

Related Post: Esme’s Wish Blog Tour

5. The Chronicles of Narnia

This entire freaking post might be inspired from the fact that I’m still salty that I didn’t get the Narnia obsessed childhood phase

I read the Chronicles of Narnia in 9th or 10th grade which was very late. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the series cause I did. At least the first few books. After that I may have been reading partly to finish off the series. I could just see myself falling in love with all the books if I were a little younger when I read them and knowing that as I read the series was quite frustrating. Someone give me a freaking time machine so that I can go fling these books in little Charvi’s hands.

What are some children’s book you wish you’d read as a kid?

Do you still read and enjoy middle grade or young adult books even if you’re “too old for them”?

What are some middle grade or children’s books you would like to recommend? I’m all ears!