Top 10 Must-Read Books for Nurturing Children's Souls

Noble Hearts (Edmondo De Amicis) is a novel for children and one of the renowned works of Italian author Edmondo De Amicis, first published in 1886 and quickly became a publishing phenomenon immediately.

The work consists of the diary entries of 12-year-old Enrico Bottini, born into an upper-middle-class family, while his classmates belong to the working class. Around this boy are life lessons for young readers and even parents to experience character, behavior, life, and soul-nurturing with the finest qualities.

Furthermore, the teachings and advice from teachers and parents are valuable and practical. They educate children about patriotic examples, gratitude to teachers, love, filial piety, how to help those in need, and more. Overall, the story directs readers to understand that educating and raising children must start with the smallest things, and parents must be the brightest role models for their children to follow.

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Homeless is a rather thick novel with incredibly valuable content. It would be great if parents read and narrated this story to their children. The story revolves around the adventures of Remi, a poor and lonely child, without any family – Homeless.

Remi's life is closely tied to the wandering circus, facing challenges across the beautiful landscapes of France. Remi grows up in hardship, wandering everywhere, facing imprisonment, encountering various people, living in places 'some deceitful, some pitiful'. But in every situation, Remi stands tall, holds her head high, maintaining human qualities – a lesson she learned from Mr. Vitali in her vagabond life.

Through Remi's life, we pause for a moment to feel compassion for that wandering, difficult life, yet deep within it lies a strong belief and hope in the value of labor and perseverance. This is truly a valuable book that teaches more about being human than any self-help book.

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was born in 1876, and for over a century, it has consistently earned the affection of readers of various ages and ethnicities. It is truly a delightful and fascinating book about childhood.

The story revolves around Tom Sawyer, an extremely mischievous, clever, and kind-hearted boy who constantly causes trouble in the neighborhood. Along with his two best friends, they embark on adventurous journeys to 'new territories.' What makes the story special is its ability to make readers reminisce about their own childhood adventures, and for children, it feels familiar, as if reading their own story: 'dreaming of an extraordinary life, a hero that so many dream of.'

With its humorous, engaging, and captivating narrative, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book primarily written for entertainment that parents should not miss.

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The Story of the Snail Who Wanted to Know Why It Was So Slow is a collection of stories about a group of snails living in Dandelion Homeland, under the lush foliage, living a slow, quiet life, simply calling each other 'snail.'

The story begins when one of them thinks it's unfair not to have a unique name, and especially it wants to know why snails are so slow. Determined, this snail leaves the comfort of the dandelion grove, embarking on a journey to find a name and answers to its long-standing questions. On this journey, it encounters an old turtle who gives it the name 'Courage' and shows it a great danger to all creatures in the meadow: humans!

The little snail decides to return and inform its kind, along with the ants, bees, and mice it meets along the way. Thanks to its slowness and courage, 'Courage' helps many creatures escape danger, leading its siblings through the arduous journey to a new Dandelion Homeland, safe and promising.

The lesson we can take away from the story is to think big and act boldly. Always know oneself and strive. Despite difficulties and challenges, with genuine effort, we can achieve the desired results. Parents can teach children many life lessons through the story of this snail.

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The story portrays the friendship between two characters, Max and Mix, where Max is a human, and Mix is a cat. Their lives are intertwined from childhood to adulthood, as Max moves out to live with Mix. As Mix ages, it becomes a blind cat.

Enter Mex, a mouse from Mexico, adding an intriguing twist to the narrative. Mex becomes Mix's eyes, and thanks to Mix, Mex gains confidence. What seemed like a story of hatred and enmity turns into a close-knit friendship, offering support, protection, and mutual assistance in life.

Parents can choose The Story of the Cat and Its Mouse Best Friend for children to help them understand more about love, assistance, and sharing. It encourages them to appreciate the relationships around them. Under the skillful pen of Luis Sepúlveda, the three-way friendship of Max - Mix - Mex is narrated sweetly, captivatingly, and will melt the hearts of both children and adults alike.

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Totto - Chan: The Girl By the Window recounts the author Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's memories of attending Tomoe Gakuen school under Principal Kobayashi Sosaku.

The book offers a distant look into childhood, a lament for a bygone era of excellent education, and portrays the author's love for her revered teacher. Above all, it reveals the societal coldness of that time towards special individuals like little Totto. Not just a book about education, Totto - Chan: The Girl By the Window is a silent proclamation about the ineffectiveness of the education system, reminding millions of Japanese about the kind of education children truly desire.

Totto - Chan: The Girl By the Window opens the door to a magical world, taking us to carefree perspectives of childhood: the colorful purity of friendship, the love for a special school, or simply reminiscing about the singing birds on the way to school. It's a place where we reflect on ourselves, rediscover seemingly forgotten memories, and peacefully sleep in the past.

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A Liter of Tears narrates the life of young Aya Kitou. Aya Kitou lived a mere 20 years on this Earth, afflicted by the cruel and mysterious disease known as 'Spinocerebellar Ataxia.' The illness confined her future to a narrow path that only grew narrower. Even simple tasks like walking or doing something with her own hands became distant dreams for the young girl. The disease progressed, robbing her of control over her body. Initially struggling with mobility, Aya eventually had to rely on a wheelchair, lost the ability to hold utensils, and couldn't articulate words as she wished. Ultimately, she became bedridden.

Reading A Liter of Tears, one sees an image of a physically challenged girl displaying extraordinary resilience. Aya's determination is not an attempt to portray herself as a hero but simply the small efforts to resist the monstrous disease that daily ravages her body. Aya's love for life and cherishing every moment is depicted through the simplest pleasures—gazing at the blue sky, reading books, or dreaming of returning home to visit family. Despite her physically challenged state, Aya never abandons the path of discovering her self-worth.

A Liter of Tears - read it for children to understand and empathize with those less fortunate, with the tenacity to overcome all difficulties, and for parents to reflect on themselves, to live more fully and meaningfully.

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The book by author Luis Sepúlveda - a Chilean writer who has made it to the top 100 best-selling books in the world, selling millions of copies and translated into many languages worldwide, including Vietnamese.

The book The Story of the Cat Teaching the Seagull to Fly (Luis Sepúlveda) brings an interesting and humane story through vivid, adorable images that captivate the curiosity of children. The story is about the solidarity of cats helping a seagull learn to fly. It also portrays the determination and persistent effort of the seagull to learn to fly on its own.

The tale teaches children to keep promises like Zorba the cat, who, no matter how difficult, always fulfills his promises. It teaches them to make an effort, overcome difficulties to achieve their goals. A book that contains valuable lessons that any parent would want their child to receive. The book opens up a lively summer with cute, humorous illustrations, a gift for every child and adult.

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The Seeds of the Soul series is no stranger to book lovers in Vietnam. Compiled from various authors, the series covers different life aspects such as family love, love for life, the meaning of life, courage, overcoming challenges, etc. Not only are there various themes, but the series also caters to different target groups, creating a plethora of choices for students, women, and more.

Seeds of the Soul tells many everyday life stories. These stories serve as lessons, guiding people toward goodness, kindness, and beauty in life. While reading the series, whether a little or a lot, we encounter life issues laid bare before us, reminding us to live well and reap what we sow.

Indeed, the stories in the Seeds of the Soul series are ones we have come across or read somewhere before. They are anecdotes that cultivate human morality. As we read, we reflect deeply on the hidden lessons beneath seemingly lifeless objects, teaching us invaluable principles.

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How Long I Love You, Dad - a small story by Sam McBratney with 32 pages, each page featuring vivid illustrations. The simple, cute drawings promise to capture the affection of the little ones.

The story helps children express their emotions towards those around them, especially their family. It teaches them that expressing love for others is not something difficult or grandiose but simply as easy as 'I love you as far as my reach,' 'I love you, Dad, to the tip of the moon.'

Through this, children also realize that parents always shower them with unconditional love. The story lacks dramatic details or surprising twists but contains a gentle, serene, yet touching and profound narrative.

The book's illustrations, created by artist Anita Jeram, are incredibly vibrant. She excels in watercolor and possesses a remarkable sensitivity to various animal species. Jeram's depiction of mice, cats, dogs, or rabbits carries a sense of soulfulness with gentle and intimate emotions. She often uses soft, clear color tones, flexible shapes, loose outlines, and just enough detail.

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