This idea was inspired by a reply I made to a Booktuber. It is a fun way to come up with one-liners to describe children’s books by putting them into an adult context.
Of course, to complete this list, I needed the help of my bookworm sidekick—my daughter, who I am pleased to announce is a fellow “book sniffer.” Together, we compiled this list of five books she believes are the best we have read together.
The Dragon with the Blazing Bum
A poetical look at fitting into a society where you are different.
When Sir Wayne’s dragon suddenly loses his ability to breathe fire, the knight embarks on a mission to find a solution and restore his friend’s legendary flame.
After questioning whether the dragon’s teeth are too clean or his diet too bland, Sir Wayne prepares a massive, spicy feast featuring lava, burning bushes, and fireworks.
The plan takes a hilarious and unexpected turn when the heat doesn’t come out of the dragon’s mouth. Instead, it results in a “bum-popping” explosion from the other end. This farty tale concludes with the duo discovering that a blazing bottom can be just as effective for a hero as a fire-breathing snout.
This is actually one of my favourite books to read to her. I love the story’s poetic nature and its funny lines. In fact, I have read it so many times that I can now recite it without the book. The voices each character takes on are some of my best, even if I do say so myself.
The Billy Goats Gruff
A familial drama about overcoming adversity.
In this classic folk tale, three billy goats of different sizes must cross a wooden bridge to reach a lush hillside to graze on sweet green grass. A hungry, bridge-dwelling troll threatens to eat them one by one, but the first two goats cleverly convince him to wait for their larger brother.
When the biggest Billy Goat Gruff arrives, he uses his massive horns and strength to knock the greedy troll into the water below. With the path finally clear, the goats are free to eat their fill and live happily on the verdant mountainside.
This was my favourite as a child. My mum read it so many times that she also didn’t need the book to tell the tale. I love the fact that I now get to share this tradition with my daughter.
Tilly and the Bookwanderers
A magical coming-of-age story about unlocking a family legacy and uncovering the truth behind a mysterious disappearance.
Eleven-year-old Tilly Pages lives a quiet life in her grandparents’ bookshop until she discovers she has the magical ability to “bookwander.” This allows her to step inside the pages of her favourite stories.
Alongside her friend Oskar, she journeys into the worlds of Alice in Wonderland and Anne of Green Gables, encountering beloved characters as she searches for clues about her long-lost mother.
However, the duo soon realises that bookwandering comes with hidden dangers. A mysterious organisation and a sinister man named Enoch Chalk threaten the safety of the literary world. Through courage and a deep love for reading, Tilly begins to unravel the secrets of her family’s past and her own extraordinary heritage.
From a parent’s point of view, this was one of my favourite series to read with my daughter. We have read all six books in the series and loved every one. It is truly a book for book lovers.
The Magic Faraway Tree
An eternal journey into the unpredictable.
After Joe, Beth, and Frannie move to the countryside, they discover an enormous, enchanted tree in ancient woods whose top branches reach right into the clouds. The siblings climb the Magic Faraway Tree and meet a cast of eccentric residents, including Moon-Face, Silky, the Angry Pixie, and the Saucepan Man, who quickly become their close friends.
At the very top of the tree, they find a ladder leading to a rotating series of magical lands, ranging from the delightful Land of Birthdays to the unpredictable Land of Topsy-Turvy. Each visit brings a new adventure. The children learn that while these wondrous worlds are exciting, they must always keep an eye on the clock to avoid being trapped when the land moves on.
This was another favourite of mine as a child which I loved sharing with my daughter. I can’t wait to take her to see the new film in 2026; it looks amazing.
The Secret Garden
A restorative journey of three lost souls finding emotional and physical salvation through the rediscovery of a neglected natural world.
After the death of her parents in India, the sour and lonely Mary Lennox is sent to live with her reclusive uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the gloomy Yorkshire moors. Her life changes when she discovers a hidden, walled garden that has been locked for ten years.
As she begins a dedicated effort to nurse it back to life, she befriends a local boy named Dickon and discovers her hidden cousin, Colin, a sickly boy who believes he is destined to be a cripple. As the garden blooms, the children experience a shared transformation, finding health, happiness, and a sense of belonging through the restorative power of nature.
I read this as a child but didn’t appreciate its true beauty until my second reading with my daughter.
What Would You Add?
So, there you have it: my daughter’s five favourite books. If you have children or grandchildren, I would strongly suggest reading them. If you don’t, I would still suggest you pick them up; we all need a little more fun in our lives.
What would you add to this list?
Happy Christmas to you all, see you in 2026.