The Children’s Books That Shaped Me — And Why They Still Matter Today

By Sara Clark @ Dandelion Family Counselling www.saraclark.ca

Some stories stay with us long after childhood ends. They become part of our inner landscape — shaping how we understand courage, friendship, loss, imagination, and the deep bonds that carry us through life. As a therapist working with youth and young adults, I often see how the stories we grow up with influence the way we make sense of the world.

As an avid, life long reader these are four books I read as a child that helped shaped me, each offering timeless lessons that still echo in the work I do today.

1. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis created worlds that felt both magical and deeply human, and The Horse and His Boy was no exception. This story of a young boy, Shasta, escaping a life that never felt like his own resonated with me as a child. I loved horses and wished they could talk to me.

What stands out now is how beautifully the book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to step into a life that feels authentic. Shasta’s journey mirrors what so many young people experience today — the quiet hope that there is a place where they truly fit, and the bravery required to seek it.

2. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Few children’s books address grief with the honesty and tenderness found in Bridge to Terabithia. As a young reader, I didn’t have the language for loss, but this book gave me a way to feel it — safely, gently, and with compassion.

As an adult, I see how powerful this story is for children who are navigating big emotions. It teaches that imagination can be a refuge, friendship can be transformative, and grief, while painful, can also be a doorway for growth.

It remains one of the most emotionally influential books I’ve ever read.

3. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

This classic is often remembered for its iconic illustrations, but its emotional depth is what stayed with me. Max’s journey into the land of the Wild Things is a perfect metaphor for emotional regulation — a child overwhelmed by feelings, expressing them fully, and eventually returning to safety and connection.

As a therapist, I see Max’s story reflected in the children and teens I work with every day. It reminds us that emotional expression is not something to fear; it’s something to understand.

4. The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

Set against the backdrop of the Canadian wilderness, The Incredible Journey is a story of loyalty, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds that form our sense of home.

What influenced me most was the quiet resilience woven through the narrative. These animals move through fear, uncertainty, and danger — yet they continue forward, driven by connection..

It’s a powerful reminder that belonging isn’t just a place; it’s the relationships that anchor us.

Why These Stories Still Matter

Each of these books shaped my understanding of the emotional world long before I had the words for it. They taught me that:

• Courage can be quiet and steady.

• Grief is a natural part of loving deeply.

• Imagination is a powerful tool for coping and healing.

• Connection is what carries us through life’s hardest moments.

  
  

These themes continue to guide my work with youth, young adults, and families. Stories shape us — and sometimes, they help us heal.