Our love for reading–for a lot of us readers and writers–was something that took root in our impressionable childhoods and molded our creative minds into what we are today. There are certain narratives that were–for the most part–popular amongst my peers during my elementary school period; there are works that showed me an entirely new world of storytelling and fueled my desire to be a part of that. These following five works inspired me to create a familiar lasting impact with my stories similar to the ones that sit in the back of our minds and heart.

Her name is Junie B. Jones, and although the “B” stands for Beatrice, every reader that grew up turning these pages knows that she prefers to leave it at the letter. This book, narrated as pages from a young girl’s diary, centers around an off-center, rambunctious five-year-old girl as she details the elementary school drama happening to and around her. One such famous incident being The Stupid, Smelly Bus… where, upon starting Kindergarten, Junie B. Jones complains about the smells coming from the school bus that she has to ride to and from school. And as a response to being dismissed by the adults around her, chooses to hide in a closet in protest until she was left alone in the empty building to explore and eventually concluding with her mother coming to find her after a call to the police.

Chrystanthemum

Initially believing her name to be perfect, a young mouse by the name of Chrysanthemum enters school confident in her name until her peers begin to bully her for how long it was, and the fact that she was named after a flower ( calling her a flower, saying that she should be “picked” and “smelled” ). By the end of the book, Chrysanthemum’s teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, pregnant with her first child, reveals that not only is she herself named after a flower, but that she plans to name her baby after Chrysathemum. As a child, the book taught me a valuable lesson about bullying and being mean to others just for being unique; furthermore, that there was absolutely nothing wrong with standing out.

No, David!

There are some books that teach lessons, and others that are just pure entertainment to read. This book, written by the author when they themselves were a child is is about a troubled boy who constantly gets into things that he isn’t supposed to ( breaking things, drawing all over the walls, running around naked) while his mother shouts, “No, David!”No, David! reads both with the intent for both chaotic amusement and endearment. This is a singular story that eventually wraps up with the depiction of a mother’s unconditional love as she hugs her child and tells him that she loves him.

Amelia Badelia 

Following a “literalist”” housekeeper named Amelia who is often caught in the middle of hilarious misunderstandings, the Amelia Badelia book was one of those reads that I remember had the entire class laughing when my teacher read it aloud in a funny voice. Although this story appears as a narrative that’s entirely comedical, it provides a lesson to small children. Amelia Badelia offers some expressions and sayings that aren’t to be taken at face value, and gently introducing the concept of “metaphors” and “exaggerations” to kids while making them laugh. This book encourages children to have patience and that is incredible!

The Rainbow Fish

When you give too much of yourself to others, you leave nothing for yourself. This childhood tale about a unique-looking fish handing out their beautiful scales to other fish after initially refusing to share attempted to provide a very important ethical lesson for developing minds. The Rainbow Fish affirms that sharing with others was what brought real joy.