5 Childhood Books That Taught You More About Life Than College Did

As the new school year starts, college students are setting their minds toward soaking up as much knowledge as possible. However, while college develops important skills, we learned some of our most important lessons when we were still children. Here are five children’s books that taught more about life than college ever did.

1. 'The Rainbow Fish'

Written by Marcus Pfister, The Rainbow Fish follows a very vain fish who's adorned in gorgeous, iridescent scales. The fish shares his beautiful rainbow scales with everybody, gaining many new friends, teaching kids one of the most important and basic lessons: that it's important to share, and that doing so not only helps others, but creates opportunities to make new friends.

2. 'The Lorax'

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax teaches the importance of environmentalism and the effects of consumerism through its wonderful rhyming story. The book, which was turned into an animated television short and recently adapted into a feature-length film, follows of a boy who learns about the Once-ler and his habitat. This book is packed with important messages about the consequences of overconsumption, the regard one should have for the environment, what happens when you ignore sage advice, and the impact that one individual can make on society.

3. 'Charlotte's Web'

Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, describes the story of Fern Arable's unconditional love for her pig, Wilbur, and the unconventional relationship between Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. The book highlights the significance of the relationships and bonds created between two people (or two animals, or a person and an animal, as the case may be).

4. 'The Little Engine That Could'

A story about an ever-determined train, The Little Engine, written by Watty Piper, reveals the importance of determination and optimism, and the significance of perseverance and pursuit of one’s dreams. The little engine helps lift a larger train up a huge hill, muttering "I think I can, I think I can," a mantra that applies for athletes and scholars alike. When people believe they cannot accomplish something, all they have to do is think back to The Little Engine That Could and believe in themselves.

5. The Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter Series, written by J.K. Rowling, teaches countless lessons as it follows Harry Potter and his friends throughout their years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Throughout the seven books, we learned of the importance of love and courage, the danger of corrupt government, and why we should embrace diversity. Most importantly, the series emphasized friendship, and the essential role it plays in our lives.