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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Texas chapter.

Today I was looking through my bookshelf and came across a bunch of my childhood novels. It got me thinking about what those books were about, and later, about what those books taught me. For those who loved reading as a kid, I feel that reading often offered a sense of moral guidelines. A more “kid-friendly” way to teach about real life and the everyday realities that come with it. I would like to share a few of those novels for me in hopes that maybe we can spread the message of kindness and compassion to the next generation. Maybe you’ll even give some of these a read or re-read. 

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan was a children’s novel by Katherine Applegate in 2012. Based on a true story, the book is from the perspective of Ivan, a gorilla who has lived in a small cage at a mall for 27 years. Ivan doesn’t really remember his life before the mall, so all he knows is life in a cage. Ivan and his friends, an elderly elephant named Stella and a stray dog named Bob, live here constantly. However, after the arrival of baby elephant Ruby, they began to see their lives from a new perspective. They begin to see the cruelty and neglect that they have been undergoing, so Ivan and Ruby devise a plan to escape the mall. The rest of the book follows their difficult journey to escape. This book deals with a lot of heavy themes like animal neglect, animal death, and animal cruelty. It presents the audience with the harsh reality of animals kept as entertainment. One of the more visceral parts of this novel depicts the death of an animal due to the conscious neglect of an infection. My mom and I read this book together when I was younger, and it had such a profound effect on us that we never could go back to a circus or anything else that extorted animals for cheap entertainment. This truly is a book that teaches empathy for animals and other living creatures we may not consider.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was written by Kate DiCamillo in 2006. The novel follows a china rabbit named Edward Tulane who lives in the care of a young human girl named Abilene. Abilene loves Edward more than anything else in the world, but the rabbit only loves himself. However, one day Edward becomes lost. Edward then embarks on an epic journey to find his way back home. He goes through many hardships and meets many new people. As his journey continues he begins to learn how to appreciate life and everything that comes with it as he learns to love. In the end, he is finally able to overcome everything and is reunited with his original owner but not as expected. Abilene is no longer a child, in fact, she now has a daughter who loves Edward just as much as she loved Edward. This book is good at pulling at your heartstrings. Edward’s perseverance to overcome all the obstacles that come his way in order to complete the goal shows the importance of not giving up and the reality of having to get through tough times. However, the greatest message is hubris of being selfish. Seeing Edward take everything for granted and lose it all, teaches the importance of appreciating what you have been given and the love of others.

The Giving tree

The Giving Tree is a classic picture book written by Shel Silverstein in 1964. Although I’m pretty sure everyone knows the iconic story I will summarize it anyway. In the beginning, there was a young boy and a tree who loved each other. The boy would play with the tree and the tree was happy. As the boy gets older he stops coming to the tree, and the tree becomes lonely wanting to play with the boy once again. The boy, older now, returns to the tree. The tree loves him dearly, but the boy no longer wants to play. Instead, he only wants money, so the tree gives him its apples to sell and make money. The boy continues to return but only to ask for more, and each time his requests become larger. However, the tree still gives him every part of itself because it is happy to see the boy. By the time the boy returns a final time, the tree is nothing more than a stump. The tree no longer has anything to offer, and this time the man says that’s fine and sits on the stump of the once great tree. Even still the tree loves the boy. This is one of those children’s books that hits a lot harder the older you get. This book, like the last, discusses selfishness. The boy always wants more but never gives anything in return. It reflects the importance of not exploiting those who love you and care for you. Furthermore, it helps us understand that in life there should be no expectations of receiving endlessly for the benefit of oneself.

Sophmore at the University of Texas, Austin. I love horror novels, hair metal, and collecting fashion dolls...