8 fantastic books for children by authors who write for adults

Children’s literature has always been kept separate from all other literary genres, be it on one’s personal bookshelf or on the bookshelves of different bookstores. Even the children’s book authors are always differentiated from the writers of adult fiction. While the belief remains that an author cannot indulge in writing for both adults and children, there are some literary geniuses who have broken all the stereotypes and written exceptional books of literature for adults as well as children and have received remarkable literary feedbacks.

Here are eight of the most renowned authors of adult fiction books who have shifted from their comfort zones and written fantastic books for children.
(Photo: Pexels)

“Haroun and the Sea of Stories” is a beautiful tell-tale of a boy named Haroun who ventures into the mythical ocean with the help of a water genie. Written by Salman Rushdie, also the author of “Midnight’s Children”, the book is a lovely read for all the kids who love adventure and the stories that come with it.
(Photo: Penguin India)

In a collaboration with her late son Slade and acclaimed artist Pascal Lemaitre, Toni Morrison has authored many picture books, of which “Who’s got game? The Ant or the Grasshopper” remains the best. Based on Aesop’s fable about the hardworking ant and the lazy grasshopper, the book is a retelling of the classic with a modern perspective.
(Photo: Scribner; Wikimedia commons)

Author of the most popular novel “The Handmaid’s tale” and known for her dystopian writings, Margaret Atwood went against her comfort zone and wrote a children’s picture book “Up in the Tree”. Illustrated by the author herself, the book is about two children who decide on living on a tree but soon after their ladder is eaten by the beaver, they start to wonder what they are missing on the ground.
(Photo: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Wikimedia commons)

Widely known for his thrillers and mystery novels, Stephen King has also written thrillers for children. “The Girl who loved Tom Gordon” is a pop-up book version of King’s 1999 novella. The book revolves around a 9 year old baseball fan who gets lost in the woods and when faced with exhaustion, hunger and fear, she starts imagining the former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tom Gordon walking beside her.
(Photo: Hodder & Stoughton; Stephen King/ Facebook)

Written from the perspective of a young African girl, Precious, the story is about a missing piece of cake from a classroom. With the aspirations of a detective, the young girl starts to showcase her detective skills to find the culprit. Perfect for elementary school readers, the book is a prequel to Alexandre Mccall’s “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series”.
(Photo: Anchor; Wikimedia commons)

Best known for his novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley has also written children’s literature. “The Crows of Pearblossom”, which was posthumously published, is a short story about two crows, who live on a cotton-tree at Pearblossom. With a rattlesnake always eating up their eggs the Mr. Crow finds a solution to avenge his children. Illustrated by Caldecott-winner Sophie Blackall, this timeless tale can be read by adults and children alike.
(Photo: Abrams; Wikimedia commons)

Dedicated to his son Casper, Ian Fleming released three volumes of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. It is about a car that can not only be driven but also swim, fly and what not. Owned by the Pott family, the is only used when the family find themselves chasing after evil gangsters.
(Photo: Macmillan Children's Books; Wikipedia)

“Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer” is a story about a 13 year old kid aspiring lawyer who gets tangled in a murder trial. Written by the international best-selling author John Grisham, the book is a fantastic read for young children interested in murder mysteries and thrilling storyline.
(Photo: Penguin USA; Wikipedia)