As the school year starts for many people across the states, many children are starting to receive assignments for book reports and reading tests. But these books are not only for children, but also for the young at heart who still enjoy a good tale about imaginary places and extraordinary magic.

1. The Phantom Tollbooth

This timeless classic is about a young boy named Milo who feels that his life has become boring. One day, after school, Milo finds a package in his room, after assembling the package it turns out to be a tollbooth. This is only the beginning of his adventure. This book explores the ideas of literature, mathematics, balance, and democracy. This is a wonderful book to read out loud and share with a group of people; there are many characters that embody different ideas of the world and personalities that are known the world through.

2. Chi's Sweet Home

A cute and simple story about an orphan kitten finding a forever home with a young family. Although it is in comic form, this story shows how a young child (or kitten in this case) is prone to adopt the habits and ideas of those who are older. Overall though, Chi the kitten is just a cat trying to find his way through the world with a little help from his friends.

3. The Little Prince

The story of the Little Prince has long been regarded a classic; however, it is not categorized as a strictly children's book. The deeper themes found in the story have often lead people to put it in the adult section of the bookstore, but the simple language and the whimsical illustrations lend toward the children's book genera.

All of these book have movie or TV series counterparts, so if you are not inclined to read them, or if you just want to experience the magic through the screen and from the page, then you have that option. Hopefully these will be on your next reading list, or on your child's next reading list.