Charlotte Mason - A living book for 2026

Have your say on a living book for 2026.

Fable Cottage - my own photograph of a cotfage door in Amberley village

The Victorian educator and pioneer Charlotte Mason, had one test to define a quality, living book for children. That test is as valid today in 2026 as it was in her time. She said a living book is a book written by a single mind, with genuine knowledge and genuine passion, speaking to the reader — child or adult — as one person to another. It refuses to condescend and offers real language, real ideas, and real emotional weight, and then trusts the child to do something with them and consider it on their own terms.

I have been thinking a great deal about children’s fiction, and long before I started my Substack.

I don’t mean children’s books that already exist, although there are plenty of those worth talking about, I have been thinking about the book that doesn’t exist. Well, at least not yet.

What should that new living book be like?

I have strong preferences on this one. There's a story waiting in England's past that hasn't been told yet. Not a retelling, but something genuinely new, and rooted in something very old. I love the idea of a fantasy story set in England, that straddles time and features amazing creatures, from ghosts to fairies, castles, knights and quests, and that features a child hero. It would be a living book that doesn’t preach or patronise, but that is also morally sound, a great adventure, and most importanly, a really enjoyable read. But these are my preferences. What are yours?

Below are five polls — simple questions about what you would want in a children’s book if you were writing it from scratch. Not which books already do this well. Just what matters to you, or you think should matter to children.

What should be in a living book for 2026?

There are no wrong answers and there isn’t a correct combination. I’m just curious as to what people think.

Answer as many or as few of the questions as you like. And if none of the options quite captures what you’re thinking, or you want to add your own thoughts, please do so in the comments.

One more thing before you start: this article isn’t going anywhere. The article will stay open indefinitely. If you come back to it in three months with a thought you didn’t have today, add it in the comments, and do feel free to share if you wish to.