Why Ruskin Bond Belongs on Your Child’s Bookshelf (and in Their Heart)

The other evening, my five-year-old daughter was sitting on the floor, eyes fixed on the TV. Bright colours flashed across the screen, characters shouted and danced — everything loud, fast, and busy. She was completely engrossed, but then she turned to me, almost out of nowhere, and asked, “Mama, what did you watch when you were little?”

I paused, then smiled. “We didn’t have shows like this,” I told her. “We had stories. Books. We read about trees and trains and people who lived in the hills.” She looked curious, as if trying to picture a world that didn’t come with a remote.

Later that night, instead of turning the TV back on, I pulled out The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond. “Let me read you a story I loved,” I said. She wriggled next to me on the bed, arms around her favourite stuffed toy, and we began.

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It was simple: a boy, a garden, a seed that slowly grew into something more. There were no villains or cliffhangers. Just a soft, patient story. I thought she might get restless. But instead, she listened. Quietly. Thoughtfully. Her little hand rested on mine the whole time.

And when the story ended, she looked up and said, “Can we plant a tree too?”

That’s what Ruskin Bond’s stories do. They slow things down. They open up space for questions, for wonder, and for gentle conversations. In a world that moves too fast, where even childhood seems rushed, his stories remind us what it means to pause, to feel, and to notice.

If your child is just learning to read or still loves being read to, introducing them to Ruskin Bond might be one of the most meaningful gifts you give, not just to them, but to yourself, too.

Why Ruskin Bond is perfect for children

Ruskin Bond has this quiet, comforting way of writing that children just get. He doesn’t talk down to them or try to make things bigger than they are. Instead, he writes like someone who remembers exactly what it felt like to be a child — curious, unsure, full of questions.

What I’ve come to appreciate, especially as a parent, is how easy his stories are to read — yet how much they offer. They’re short enough for bedtime, gentle enough for a Sunday afternoon, and deep enough to come back to years later.

Ruskin Bond writes about simple yet meaningful things that pique kids’ wonder. Picture source: The Hans India

He writes about small things that feel big when you’re five: losing something special, waiting for someone, missing home, and making a new friend. Things our children may not always have words for, but feel all the same.

Here’s why his stories work so well for young readers (and for us as parents, too):

1. They’re easy to read, but stay with you
His stories are short, simple, and perfect for a child who’s just beginning to enjoy books. But they linger. The feelings and thoughts they stir often last far longer than the final page.

2. They speak to big feelings in small moments
Whether it’s about losing something, waiting for someone, or making a new friend — Bond’s stories capture the emotions kids often feel but can’t always name. And somehow, they make it all feel okay.

3. They bring nature into the room
His world is full of trees that whisper, hills that remember, and skies that shift moods. It’s not just beautiful — it quietly encourages kids to look out the window, to notice, to wonder.

4. They create space for slowing down
In a world that constantly asks our kids to keep up, Bond’s books let them breathe. These stories offer stillness, a rare and needed thing in our busy, noisy days.

5. They give you a moment together
You don’t need a lesson plan. Just pick a book, sit beside your child, and read. The connection, the questions, the quiet conversations—they happen on their own.

·   For Ages 5–9

  1. The Cherry Tree – A beautiful tale of patience, growth, and love for nature.
  2. Grandfather’s Private Zoo – Fun, quirky stories about animals and mischief in the hills.
  3. The Room on the Roof (adapted versions) – A coming-of-age tale with themes of identity and belonging.

·   For Ages 10–13

  1. The Blue Umbrella – A heartwarming story about generosity.
  2. The Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories – Short stories of nostalgia and human connection.
  3. Rain in the Mountains – Reflective essays about life in Mussoorie.

What children (and parents) take away

By reading Ruskin Bond, children learn that it’s okay to be quiet, to take their time, and to feel deeply. They learn that beauty lies in the rustling of trees, the kindness of strangers, and the dreams of small-town kids.

Parents rediscover these truths, too — sometimes with misty eyes and a smile that lingers long after the story ends.

“The past is always with us, for it feeds the present.” — Ruskin Bond

So open one of his books, sit beside your child, and step into a world where every whisper of the wind and rustle of the leaves tells a story. It’s a journey you’ll both treasure.

Edited by Khushi Arora

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