With all the technology we promote on Fractus Learning it can be a bit too easy to disregard the learning value of the printed page. Kindles, tablets, phones and laptops all have their place, but the rich, tangible and interactive experience of a physical book is impossible to replicate.
Research shows that just 10 minutes of reading with your child each day is one of the best ways to support their education. So you don’t need to pull out “The Lord of the Rings”, “War and Peace” or even one of the heftier “Harry Potter” books, you can simply pluck a quick, fun short story to share the wonderful experience of reading together.
So, put down the iPad, cast off the Kindle and make a b-line for the bookshelf, here are ten brilliant books of short stories for kids.
Short Stories for Kids
1. Zen Shorts
Jon J. Muth
Both beautiful in concept and in artwork, Zen Shorts is a series of brief tales about three siblings and their new neighbour, a panda. Each story illustrates a diffent Zen principle, encouraging a level of depth and conversation that most children’s books do not offer. – Amazon link
2. The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The first of three volumes, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories is a gorgeous collection of short stories for kids. Credited to the Hollywood actor ‘Joseph Gordon-Levitt’, the stories are actually the creations from many contributors to his open collaborative production company, hitRECord. This creative process adds to the book, with each story unique in its art and purpose. – Amazon link
3. Snoozers : 7 Short Short Bedtime Stories for Lively Little Kids
3. Sandra Boynton
Created by legendary children’s author, Sandra Boynton, Snoozers is a lovely collection of bedtime stories with colorful picture tabs, so that children can find whichever story they want to hear before bed. – Amazon link
4. Disney Bedtime Favorites
4. Annie Auerbach (Contributor)
It may be a little on the ‘commercial’ side, but there is no denying how much kids love the Disney characters. A lovely touch, with each of the stories ending with the characters settling in for bed. –Amazon link
5. Funny Things I Heard at the Bus Stop
5. Angela Giroux
A hilarious series of short stories for kids, Funny Things I Heard at the Bus Stop is an imaginative take on the everyday. With wild stories of adventure and tales of mystery, the book has been so popular that a second volume was released with even more wacky stories. – Amazon link
6. One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math
6. Eric Yoder
Although it does look concerningly ‘educational’, One Minute Mysteries are far from an everyday Math textbook. Using logic and math, kids will need to tap into their critical thinking skills to solve these entertaining and educational mysteries. – Amazon link
7. Instead of Three Wishes: Magical Short Stories
7. Megan Whalen Turner
A lovely collection of modern fairytales that kids and adults will love. Instead of Three Wishes is the more classic take on short stories for kids, with tales of leprechauns, princes and heroes. A good option for those that prefer the traditional take on storytelling. – Amazon link
8. Minecraft Short Stories: A Collection of the Best-Selling Adventure Books
8. Minecraft Handbooks
Yeah, I’m sorry, I did have to include at least one technology related book of short stories for kids. And anyone who knows me, knows that I am a bit of a Minecraft nut. The hugely popular game has been such a hit that it has gone far beyond the console and has spawned a whole heap of fan fiction. So, if your child is Minecraft mad, then these short stories could be the ones that hit the mark. – Amazon link
9. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
9. Roald Dahl
It would not be possible to complete a list of the best short stories for kids without the inclusion of the man himself, Roald Dahl. This collection of seven of his best are complex, humorous, fun, creative and thoroughly enthralling. – Amazon link
10. Thirteen Stories That Capture the Agony and Ecstasy of Being Thirteen
10. James Howe
And last of all, one for the older kids. Thirteen is an age where kids can start to become reluctant towards reading. It becomes more of a ‘school’ chore than something done for pleasure. These short stories are aimed at that difficult age, shedding some light on what it is to go through the teens. – Amazon link
What are your favourite short stories for kids? Let us know your top picks in the comments below.
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, John-Morgan.