Children’s books often seem simple at first glance, but many of them have deep messages that are intended for adults. Oftentimes, the whimsical characters and colorful illustrations tell a bigger story. Each of these stories offers adults a chance to reflect during their child’s bedtime story. Let’s take a look at eight children’s books that were really written with adults in mind.
1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince is often seen as a story of a little boy who is exploring different planets. Its underlying themes are actually pretty profound. The book talks about loneliness, love, and imagination that we often lose as we get older. Reading this book, adults are often reminded of the importance of looking beyond materialism. It prompts a deeper appreciation for everything wonderful life has to offer.
2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Where The Wild Things Are is one of my daughter’s favorite books right now. Max, the main character, escapes into an imaginary world after he’s sent to bed without dinner for being naughty. It’s a great story of adventure for kids. For adults, it is a reminder of the need for emotional release. Max’s journey to the land of the “Wild Things” can represent how many people deal with internal struggles by retreating into fantasy. In the end, coming back to reality and facing responsibility is necessary.
3. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web is a classic and was one of my favorite books growing up. It is a heartwarming tale of friendship between two very unlikely characters – a pig and a spider. While it provides a great story for kids, adults might see it as a deeper reflection on life and death. Mortality is a central theme in the story because it’s set on a farm where life and death are dealt with often. Charlotte’s choice to save Wilbur is a huge sacrifice, which resonates with people as they age. Overall, it is a bittersweet reminder of how fragile life is.
4. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Giving Tree is one that still brings me to tears. It is an emotionally complex story. Children likely see it as a tale of love and giving, but there are darker undertones of sacrifice and the consequences of taking without giving anything back. The tree’s ultimate depletion is a metaphor for relationships where one person gives too much, leaving them drained and unappreciated. It may leave adults questioning the nature of unconditional love.
5. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Oh, the Places You’ll Go is another favorite. One of my former teachers would gift this to all of her students when they were leaving her class. This book is a reminder of some of life’s highs and lows. The Dr. Suess book acknowledges that life isn’t always a straight path forward. Setbacks are inevitable, but you keep moving forward. While it is a great thing for kids to learn, the book often reminds adults about the complexities of navigating careers, relationships, and personal situations.
6. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is another classic. Many people are familiar with the movie, but the book can speak to adults on a different level. Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland is absurd, but it serves as a reminder that life is often nonsensical too. Reading this book might make you remember not to sweat the small stuff and embrace uncertainty.
7. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
My mom read me The Velveteen Rabbit a ton when I was a kid. The book follows a toy rabbit who wants to become a real bunny through the love of a child. As an adult, I read it and saw a story about the transformative power of love and acceptance. Life will wear you down sometimes, but true beauty doesn’t come from outward perfection. It comes from loving and being loved, despite the hard times.
8. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
Who doesn’t love Winnie-the-Pooh? Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood have a lot of lessons to teach, especially for adults. Each character embodies different human emotions, which allows adults to reflect on their own emotional state. Eeyore’s sadness, Tigger’s enthusiasm for everything, Rabbit’s anxiety, and Pooh’s laid-back nature can all be insightful for grown-ups. In the end, it’s a book that offers comfort and perspective at any age.
Beyond the Surface
While these books are classified as children’s literature, they often have deeper messages that resonate with adults. They tackle problems like love, loss, and the human experience. So, next time you are reading a bedtime story, consider the undertones of the book and how they apply to your life as a grown-up. You may find that the messages are just what you need.