Pippi Longstocking

Author: Astrid Lindgren

First line: On the outskirts of a tiny little town was a neglected garden.

Why you should read this book: For over sixty years, children have delighted in the antics of the independent redhead who wears mismatched stockings, throws policemen off her porch before lifting her horse onto it, and keeps a monkey for a companion. Whether grown-ups are failing to throw her out of school, the circus, or an elegant coffee party, the boundless optimism of a little girl raised by pirates at sea offers the perfect antidote to the rigid world of rules and inhibition. This link goes to a newly translated edition that feature delightful new illustrations that toy with language just as Pippi does and bring an updated look to a classic text.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You consider instructional manuals, moral tales, and the occasional bible story acceptable forms of children's literature