Loved ‘The Little Prince’? Here are 10 books to read next

Some of the wisest stories ever written belong on the children's shelf. ‘The Little Prince’ proved that to me.

A few years ago, someone told me, "You have to read The Little Prince at least twice in your life." At the time, I didn't really understand why. I thought reading it once would be enough.

When I first picked it up, I saw it as a lovely story about a curious little boy travelling through space. But when I returned to it years later as an adult, it felt like a completely different book. 

Written and illustrated by French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, ‘The Little Prince’ was first published in 1943. It tells the story of a pilot who crashes in the Sahara Desert and meets a mysterious young prince who has travelled from a tiny asteroid called B-612. As the prince shares stories of the different planets he has visited and the unusual adults he has met, the book gently explores love, friendship, loneliness, grief and what it truly means to grow up.

What makes the story unforgettable are its characters. There's the proud Rose, who teaches us that love can be complicated. The Fox, who explains that relationships are built through time, patience and care. The pilot himself, who slowly rediscovers the child he had buried beneath adulthood. And of course, the Little Prince, whose innocent questions expose just how strange grown-ups can be.

I genuinely believe everyone should read this book at least twice in their lifetime. 
Read it as a child and it feels like a magical adventure through space. Read it again as an adult and suddenly every conversation means something different. The businessman counting stars becomes a reminder of our obsession with success. The king who wants to rule everything feels familiar in a world driven by power. Even the Fox's famous lesson about seeing with the heart hits differently when you've experienced love, loss or friendship.

That's what makes ‘The Little Prince’ so special. It has an unusual way of meeting you wherever you are in life. Every time life changes, the book seems to have something new to say.

If you're looking for books that leave you with the same quiet feeling, here are 10 I'd recommend.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Author: Charlie Mackesy

At first glance, this looks like a picture book. Imagine going on a slow walk with four companions who all see the world differently. A curious little boy asks questions, a mole is obsessed with cake, a wary fox slowly learns to trust, and a wise horse quietly offers comfort whenever it's needed. There isn't a traditional plot here. Instead, the book unfolds through simple conversations that somehow manage to say a lot about life.

Why I think you should read it: It reminds me of ‘The Little Prince’ because the biggest lessons are hidden inside the simplest words. You can finish it in an hour, but you'll probably keep returning to your favourite pages whenever life feels overwhelming. It feels like sitting down with someone who says exactly what you need to hear.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Author: Margery Williams

A stuffed rabbit dreams of becoming real, just like the toys in the nursery stories. The answer doesn't come through magic or wishes. As he spends time with the little boy who loves him, he begins to understand that becoming "real" has nothing to do with how you look and everything to do with being deeply loved.
Why I think you should read it: I love how gently this book talks about love, change and growing up. I don't think this book is really about toys at all. It may have been written for children, but as an adult, it feels like a beautiful reminder that the people who truly love us see us for who we are. 

The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

The story begins with a young boy who spends every day climbing, playing and talking to a tree. As the years pass, the boy grows older and returns only when he needs something and the tree gives him everything she can, from apples and branches to eventually her trunk. As the boy grows older, his needs change, but the tree's love never does.

Why I think you should read it: Every person I know seems to interpret this book differently. Some see unconditional love, while others see sacrifice or even a lesson about taking people for granted. That's exactly why it's worth reading. Depending on where you are in life, you might see it as a story about love, parenthood, friendship or sacrifice. Like ‘The Little Prince’, it grows with you.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Author: Richard Bach

Jonathan is a seagull who refuses to live an ordinary life. While the rest of his flock is focused on finding food, he becomes obsessed with flying, pushing himself to learn new skills and chase perfection, even if it means being misunderstood by everyone around him.

Why I think you should read it: If ‘The Little Prince’ made you think about purpose and seeing the world differently, this is the next book I'd hand you. It's simple, uplifting and quietly encourages you to live life on your own terms.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Author: Neil Gaiman

A man returns to the village where he grew up and, almost without meaning to and begins remembering strange and magical events that happened when he was seven years old.

Why I think you should read it: It reminded me that childhood isn't always as simple as adults remember it. It is darker than ‘The Little Prince’, but it carries the same sense of wonder.

The Wind in the Willows

Author: Kenneth Grahame

Mole leaves his underground home one spring day and meets Rat, Badger and the adventurous Mr Toad. Together, they enjoy lazy afternoons by the river, exciting adventures and a few chaotic mishaps caused by Toad's endless enthusiasm.

Why I think you should read it: It's funny, comforting and full of gentle wisdom. As a child, it's a delightful animal adventure. As an adult, it becomes a story about friendship, home, slowing down and appreciating the simple pleasures in life. It's the kind of book that feels like a warm cup of tea.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Author: Dr. Seuss

Rather than telling one continuous story, this picture book follows an unnamed traveller through the ups and downs that everyone experiences in life. There are exciting moments, disappointing ones and long periods of waiting, but the message remains hopeful from beginning to end.

Why I think you should read it: I think it's a book for every stage of life. Whenever I read it, it reminds me that feeling lost is part of the journey.

The Phantom Tollbooth

Author: Norton Juster

Milo thinks everything is boring until a mysterious tollbooth appears in his bedroom. Crossing through it leads him into a wonderfully odd world where words and numbers come alive and every ordinary ideas become extraordinary adventures

Why I think you should read it: It reminds us that curiosity makes everyday life far more interesting. I love how playful this book is. Children enjoy the adventure, while adults catch the clever jokes and realise it's really a celebration of learning, imagination and asking questions.

The Tao of Pooh

Author: Benjamin Hoff

Instead of explaining Taoist philosophy through complicated ideas, Benjamin Hoff turns to one of literature's gentlest characters: Winnie-the-Pooh. By looking at Pooh and his friends, the book explores how living simply, accepting ourselves and not forcing things can sometimes be the wisest approach.

Why I think you should read it: You don't need to know anything about Taoism to enjoy this book. It gently reminds us that we don't always need to rush, compete or overthink. Sometimes the simplest way really is the best way.

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store

Author: Keigo Higashino

Three young people break into an abandoned general store, only to discover that letters asking for advice keep arriving through the shop's letterbox.

As they begin replying, they realise the people writing the letters are living in a different time, and that their answers may shape lives they have never met.

Why I think you should read it: This book gave me the same warm feeling I had while reading The Little Prince. It quietly reminds us that a few thoughtful words, offered at the right moment, can change someone's life more than we realise. 

We often think growing up means leaving children's books behind. I think it's the opposite. Some of them only begin to make sense once we've lived a little.

If there's one thing 'The Little Prince' taught me, it's that the simplest stories often carry the biggest truths. These books do the same in their own way. I know I'll read it again someday, and I'm almost certain it will mean something different when I do.