The books children should read before primary school ends

Before children leave primary school, many parents wonder which books can give them a strong cultural foundation without turning reading into a chore.

Reading, the article argues, is more than holiday homework. It opens the door to other worlds, offers an experience larger than oneself and helps children build an inner life. But choosing that first door matters, especially at the transition to secondary school.

Teacher and author Sarah Sauquet compares giving a book to a child with letting go of their hand and allowing them to walk with an unfamiliar adult. It requires trust. The right book can make reading feel like an inner adventure, while the wrong choice may discourage a young reader.

The answer is not necessarily to tackle “War and Peace” before collège. Instead, the article recommends introducing classics in small doses: a Maupassant short story, an extract from Homer’s “Odyssey” or an audio version of a mythological tale. The aim is to awaken durable curiosity about literature, rather than demand that children consume difficult books all at once.

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Giving a book to a child is like letting go of their hand and letting them go for a walk with an adult we do not know: it requires a great deal of trust.