Children are reading less, taking less pleasure in doing so, and there’s already talk of the dawning of a “post-literate age”. I consulted leading authors to come up with a list of books everyone should read (or have read to them) at least once – one for every year of life up to the age of 25. by Janet and Allan AhlbergThe Ahlbergs produced so many wonderful early-years books (see also Each Peach Pear Plum and Burglar Bill) but Peepo! Time to read probably the most grown-up novel in the language, and certainly one of the best. George Eliot shows you (or, if you’ve been punctilious about reading a great book every single year, reminds you) what the novel can do.

Source: The Guardian April 11, 2026 09:32 UTC