The Cottage Core trend seems to be here for the long haul, and I, for one, am I huge fan.
There’s just something about the cottage core vibe: whimsical but grounded, light and cozy but with plenty of depth, aesthetic but somehow it feels achievable. It’s like the comfort vibe we all need when the world seems to be falling apart more and more every day.
There’s nothing quite like escaping into the fictional world of a good book, a brief reprieve from the troubles of our day. Not only do these books offer that escape, they do it in the most inviting, captivating, and cozy of ways!
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In this post I only featured three of my family’s favorite read aloud with a cottage core vibe, if you want a bigger list you can shop my collection on Amazon.
Can’t Miss Cottage Core Books for the Summer
bonus: these books all have excellent movie adaptations!
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Dahl is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. His writing envelopes you and makes you feel like you are living out the story right alongside of the main character. Matilda has been a favorite of mine and I was delighted when I shared it with my kids and they loved it too! The book perfectly captures the whimsical, heartwarming vibe of a cottage core book. If you decide to watch the movie adaptation, be sure to find the original version from the ’90s, not the newer Netflix version.
Matilda tells the story of a young girl who discovers she has secret powers and uses them to fight back.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I think this could be the poster child for the cottage core books! It’s got whimsy, adventure, mystery, and a little bit of magic (or so the kids think). Heavy themes of grief and healing balanced perfectly with antics and adventures of the children. The movie adaptation is excellent, our family loved both the book and the movie!
The Secret Garden tells the story of two children who form an unlikely friendship and discover healing in a secret garden hidden on the estate where they live.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
One of my favorite books to read with kids. It explores the idea of death from the unique perspective of a family who accidentally becomes immortal. The magical realism of everlasting life allows children to explore heavy ideas in an approachable way. Young children can appreciate the story on a surface level. Older readers will get the most out of this book. The 50th Anniversary audiobook edition is narrated by Alexis Bledel (who played Rory in Gilmore Girls), she played Winne (the main character) in the movie adaptation of Tuck Everlasting.
Tuck Everlasting follows the story of a young girl who meets an eccentric family with an interesting story. Is it true? Will they really live forever?
Want ever more cottage core books to read with your kids? Shop my entire collection here.
What cottage core books for kids do you recommend? Leave them in the comments below!