The most formative books may be those of your childhood: Dozens of Real Simple readers remember beloved children’s books that turned them on to reading. They reveal why in their own words. Visit RealSimple.com to read the full list.
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1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
As a child I loved the simple story and it has resonated with me more and more as an adult. —Samantha Sadler Layman
To buy: Ages 1 to 8; $17, amazon.com.
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2. Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
My dad read it to me as a baby girl recovering in the hospital. We read together until his grandsons were born. And then we read to them. “Just quietly under the cork tree.” —Cindy Lee Claplanhoo
To buy: Ages 3 to 5; $4, amazon.com.
3. The Saggy Baggy Elephant by Kathryn Jackson and Byron Jackson
My grandma would read that to me when I was little. I was so proud when I could finally read it by myself. —Charmin Garst Savage
To buy: Ages 3 to 7; $4, amazon.com.
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4. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Are You My Mother? showed love and opportunities were everywhere. —Denise Thompson
To buy: Ages 3 to 7; $9, amazon.com.
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5. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
I was so inspired by Harold’s imagination and realized that books could take me anyplace I wanted to go, just like Harold. —Leslie Fischer
To buy: Ages 3 to 7; $7, amazon.com.
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