Short Story Collections

Children need a rich diet of varied literature as they grow up and collections of short stories can be an exciting part of the menu. They are ideal for the time-strapped who may struggle to get to the end of a larger narrative. They are ideal for bedtimes and holidays. They are also ideal for children who may be reluctant readers and need texts with a faster pace and more succinct structure to develop their reading stamina. Short stories bring the satisfaction of finishing a story closer to hand; the more children experience this sense of completion and closure, the more motivated they will be to read more! Short stories aren’t just substitutes for novels however, they are a celebrated artform in their own right.

Short story collections should not be read in the same way novels are, going sequentially from chapter to chapter. They can be opened at random and the stories can be devoured quickly or savoured.

These collections give children exposure to more author’s voices and writing styles. They are a great way to dip our toes into an unfamiliar genre or try out an unfamiliar author. Collections like The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain, edited by Katherine Rundell and collated as a positive response to the challenges of the global pandemic, celebrate a rich array of author/illustrator styles and genres, all bounded together by a theme. This book is medicinal in the way it administers short doses of hope which can boost our hearts and minds when we most need it. 

Equally, short story collections can be a way to immerse ourselves in the stylings of a particular author or a particular genre that we love. Dragons and Crumbling Castle and Other Stories by the indubitably brilliant Terry Pratchett is a fantastic way for children to get to know his zany, playful style - hopefully propelling them to explore books from his Discworld series further down the road. If children are already fans of Angela McAllister, then reading her collection A World Full of Spooky Stories can not only let them explore scary stories from around the world but also continue to grow their love for her writing style.

We thoroughly enjoyed compiling this list of short story collections and we hope there is something here for every child. We will leave you with the words of Daisy Johnson, author and judge of the BBC national short story award:

 Something about the form (of short stories) immediately appealed. They were bright flashes, suddenly illuminating everything, while also throwing everything into shadow. I loved how solidly they enveloped me, how intensely the people within them were discontented, lonely, isolated, confused, undone, grieving, overcome – just as I was at the time. I was hooked, and have remained so.

Posted in: Book Lists