01

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

L. Frank Baum

Frank Baum’s classic is the charming story of a young girl who is on a journey to find the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz in order to return home and help her new friends, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Woodman, along the way. Contrary to what the 1939 film popularised, Dorothy is everything but a frail ‘damsel in distress’. Some passages in the book seem to be inspired by Carroll’s work and the way the story itself is framed reminds us of Alice’s quest in Wonderland.

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02

The Faraway Tree Series

Enid Blyton

If what you love in Alice’s universe are the magical creatures she encounters and Wonderland’s atmosphere, then The Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton can prove to be a great read. Following the adventures of three children who move into a house near the woods, these books by Blyton have Jo, Fanny, and Bessie climbing to the top of an enormous tree where they find curious magical people such as Moon Face and The Saucepan Man, and discover oddly fantastical places like the Land of Birthdays.

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03

Wonderland: Alice In Poetry

Michaela Morgan

The Alice stories are also quite famous for their poems, which Carroll wrote as parodies to popular Victorian works. In Wonderland: Alice In Poetry, children’s book author Michaela Morgan gathers a beautiful collection of poetry from prolific contemporary writers, who, inspired by Carroll’s work, give new life to these classic poems. If you are eager to find something that can make you laugh as heartily as You Are Old Father William, Morgan’s collection is the perfect place to start.

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04

Haroun And The Sea Of Stories

Salman Rushdie

Despite being mostly famous for his literary fiction, author Salman Rushdie has also ventured into the realm of children’s literature. Rushdie himself has stated that the first book which made him fall in love with reading was Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. In fact, it seems like he drew inspiration from Carroll’s work to create this book. His book Haroun And The Sea Of Stories is the whimsical tale of a young boy and the characters he encounters once he leaves home. Filled with puns and magical realism, this story is certain to delight anyone who loves Carroll’s witty writing style.

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05

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making

Catherynne M. Valente

Following the theme of a young female heroine who leaves home on a journey, in this book, we meet September, a 12-year-old girl who longs for adventure. She is invited to a place called Fairyland where she is expected to restore order and peace. Throughout her quest, September will have a book-loving dragon by her side and learn the importance of bravery and courage. If you enjoy reading about strong female characters who need no male counterpart to help them along the way, this is a joyous and action-packed read.

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06

The Magic Of The Lost Temple

Sudha Murty

In this beautiful children’s story, our protagonist is a feisty 12-year-old girl who loves to spend her time playing outside. When Nooni moves from an agitated city life into her grandparents’ village, she stumbles upon an ancient ruin in the middle of the forest. From that moment on, the mystery of the Lost Temple starts to unfold. Murty’s book is a lovely story, perfect for anyone looking to find the same curiosity and excitement Alice exudes.

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07

The Complete Nonsense Of Edward Lear

Edward Lear

For those seeking to read a classic from the nonsense genre, there is nothing better than The Complete Nonsense Of Edward Lear. Published in 1846, before Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland came to life, we can find some of Lear’s most iconic characters in this collection, such as the Dong with a luminous nose, or the Pobble who has no toes. Lear’s poetry was an instrument of satire to the Victorian society and his writing is sure to entertain fans of Carroll’s equally amusing takes on classic Victorian poems.

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