Our favourite stories for World Book Day
Here at Ministry of Stories, we’re always celebrating readers, writers and all of the splendid tales to be told. It’s no wonder we get excited when World Book Day comes around.
In honour of World Book Day on March 5th this year, we asked our Ministry of Stories staff members to travel back in time and share their favourite childhood stories and characters. We’ve loved revisiting these tales and hope you will find one of your favourites, or discover a new recommendation to fire up your imagination.
The BFG, by Roald Dahl
“I’m a great fan of the wonderful Roald Dahl, and the BFG is my childhood fave. It really reminds me of my dear old Grandpop – he was certainly my Big Friendly Giant.”
— Rob Smith, Director
Oh, the places you’ll go, by Dr Seuss
My favourite book is ‘Oh, the places you’ll go’ by Dr. Seuss. The story works as well for adults, as children. It talks so honestly about how sometimes you’ll fly and sometimes you’ll slump; sometimes you’ll take the lead and sometimes you’ll bump. One day you’ll even end up in the Waiting Place, for people just waiting (for life to happen). But ‘No! That’s not you’ comes the rallying cry!
Somehow you’ll escape
All that waiting and staying
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
There are difficult and deeper moments, tackling loneliness, making decisions, feeling scared and facing problems as part of Life’s Great Balancing Act, but it also gives us confidence that we will all have success.
It’s a must read. So come on everyone, ‘Your mountain is waiting. So…..get on your way!’
— Kirsty Telford, Deputy Director
Winnie the Pooh, by A. A. Milne
“How could you not love Winnie the Pooh and his friends Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Christopher Robin? These tales of friendship and adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood along with their beautiful illustrations by E. H. Shepard really captured my imagination. I still love this story today and can’t resist a game of Poohsticks if I am anywhere near a bridge.”
— Jessica Digby, Marketing Manager
The Happy Prince, by Oscar Wilde
“In true Oscar Wilde fashion it’s dark and bittersweet with a strong moral message. It’s a story of friendship between a kind and helpful swallow and an ornate, magical statue of a deceased prince who lived a happy but sheltered life. Distraught at the sadness and poverty they see in their kingdom, together they do everything in their power to relieve people’s suffering. I still remember it all despite it being 20 years since I last read it! I feel like the message of changing the things you can’t accept and the power that one or two people have to make a real difference is something that’s always stuck with me.”
— Hannah Keville, Development Manager
Just William book series, by Richmal Crompton
“My favourite book was the Just William series by Richmal Crompton, particularly the cassette tape which is read by Martin Jarvis. My dad Bill (William), told me the stories were about him in his youth and it’s JUST the kind of mischief I could imagine him getting up to.”
— Lottie Rugg-Easey, Development Coordinator
The House on East 88th Street, by Bernard Waber
“My favourite book when I was a child was The House on East 88th Street, about a performing crocodile, Lyle, who moves in with a family living in a New York brownstone. I don’t know why the story captured me so much – it may well have simply been the illustrations!”
— Emily Murdock, Trading and Administration Manager
Matilda, by Roald Dahl
“Matilda’s determination, wit, imagination and cunning help her to survive a harsh upbringing and was an inspiration to my daughter.”
— Sta? Smagala, Training Project Manager
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
“For ages, I couldn’t fall asleep without my mom or dad reading Goodnight Moon to me at least three times before bed each night. I even had (okay, I still have) a stuffed animal modeled after the rabbit. The book is simple, comforting and whimsical. And the pages are filled with brilliant, colorful pictures!”
— Calais Watkins, University Placement Intern
