Some of my favorite books as a little boy were "Three Jolly Fellows" by Eno Raud, illustrated by Edgar Valter. That kept me awake for many nights, imaging the world the the Fellows! That, along with Astrid Lindgren's books - Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, Emil of Lönneberga... My mother started reading me those when I was 5-6 and by the time I was 8, I was re-reading them myself, time and time again! Oh, and after a few more years, The wind in the willows! Oh that book had a huge influence on me! And now I've started reading it to the kids! The same copy I've read a dozen times in my lifetime!
Oh I loved the Wind and the Willows as a kid! Thank you for all the book suggestions! I think we have similar taste when it comes to this! I will check them out! Pippi Longstocking was one of the first books I learned to read, I think... Or was it Amelia Bedilia...