Our favourite childhood reads

In the May issue of FAIRLADY we featured a great article entitled 'Good books bad feelings' that posed the question whether you should read scary or sad books to your children (page 51). Karen du Plessis shares her experience of reading a sad book to her daughter and three other women offer their opinions.

The article encouraged the FAIRLADY team to start discussing the books they read as children and which books were their favourites. Here are some of our favourites:

'I could never choose just one! But I really loved Alice in Wonderland (I reread it at least once a year) and I am still completely mad about Tintin. I also loved Ballet Shoes and, when I was much younger, Orlando the Marmalade Cat. And all the Madeline books.And the Mallory Towers books, and The Lone Pine series, and ... and ...
The only one I have managed to convince my own children about is Tintin, and even then I think they secretly prefer Asterix.' - Suzy Brokensha, editor

'Mine was Enid Blyton The Magic Faraway Tree. I was fascinated by the goings-on at the top of this magical tree way up in the clouds. I especially identified with Moonface, as when I was a child, that was my nickname.' - Candice Lee Kannemeyer, beauty editor

'I can't remember much of my childhood, but I do remember going to the library from a very young age and they had a wonderful children's section (mostly afrikaans).  I loved reading "Die avonture van Kuifie" (Tintin) and I also loved CJ Langehoven's "Spookstories".  I also quite liked the "Huppelkind" series, although at the time I found it quite bizarre.' - Anèl van der Merwe, picture editor/photographer

'Definitely  What A Mess by Frank Muir. I love animals for one and loved seeing what he would have stuck in his fur! I always wanted a dog just like What A Mess!' - Catherine Zachariou, senior beauty assistant

'My favourite childhood book is David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. It was the first book I read on my own and growing up in a big family I couldn’t help but feel a bit ignored at times but compared to David’s childhood mine was great so it kind of made me feel great. Selfish but true.' - Zimkhitha Sulelo, digital intern

'I was a total book worm as a child and there were so many books I adored. However, one series of books that I particularly loved was ‘My naughty little sister’ by Dorothy Edwards. Being the youngest of five children I could definitely identify with her and since I was used to towing the line, I loved living vicariously through the lead character. I remember secretly marvelling at her behaviour – however I always feigned shock in front of my mom.' - Jen Searle, digital editor

Do you remember your favourite childhood book? Tell us in the comments section below or on Facebook.