My top 11 Classic Children's Books by Women Authors ...

... to read before you die

In this Sunday Literary Ladies Lite edition, I present my top 10 classic children's books by women authors. How many of these have you read? Which should I have included in the top 11? (Though make sure to see the runners-up list at the end.)

Please let me know if you beg to differ on any of these! I welcome additions (and arguments) wholeheartedly.

These books, whose appeal is to “children of all ages” have endured, with their universal themes of love, loyalty, loss, and sense of wonder.

If you missed any of these treasures while growing up, it’s never too late. And if there are favorites you haven’t read since you were young, revisiting them will be like reconnecting with old friends.

Of course, children’s classics by male authors are worthy of visiting or revisiting, too. But my mission is to celebrate women authors, so here (in my humble opinion) are 10 classic children’s books by women authors to read (or reread) — plus some runners up.

Little Women (1868): Starring Jo March, one of literature’s most inspiring heroines, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is the story of four sisters — loosely based on her own family — that’s a timeless look at personal ideals, familial bonds, loss, and growing up. Louisa reluctantly agreed to write a “girl’s book” at the request of her publisher and ended up being more pleased with the result than she had anticipated. More about Little Women

A Little Princess (1905): In the beloved tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Sara Crewe has everything a girl could want, but loses it all when her father dies. She is reduced to work in cruel Miss Minchin’s school as a servant. But she retains her courage and dignity, and proves that no matter what one’s outward circumstances, all girls are princesses at heart. It was really tough to choose between this and Burnett’s other big classic, The Secret Garden (1911), so I’ve put the latter on the runners-up list. More about A Little Princess.

Anne of Green Gables (1908): Anne Shirley is a dreamy, imaginative 11-year-old orphan girl mistakenly sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who meant to adopt a boy to help on their farm. The reading public fell in love with Anne of Green Gables from the get-go, and her creator, L.M. Montgomery, went on to write several sequels, taking her from girlhood to motherhood. More about Anne of Green Gables.