: After reading reviews on this topic, I also decided to take a plunge into my childhood and re-live my memories. Coming from a Hindi background, I have not got dose of Famous five’s etc but I do not miss them as there was lot to read in Hindi too. I started reading magazines and books when I was in class V. By the time I reached class VII, I was addicted to some of them. Here are they:
MAGAZINES
Nandan: This magazine was favourite of all in the house for its’ stories from history and mythology. I used to like Cheetu-Neetu which was a regular cartoon strip.
Parag: A favourite among fellow school mates. There were stories from day to day life at that time which used to convey lessons like do not be greedy, do not cheat others etc. I am not sure if this magazine is still in publication.
Champak: I was very impressed by talking animals in PANCHTANTRA by Vishnu Sharma. Reading Champak was an extension to that love. Even now I buy Champak on regular basis and narrate the stories to my daughter.
LotPot( or was it LotePote?) and Madhumuskan: These Magazines used to provide heavy dose of laughter/humour by having comic strips like Motu-Patlu, daaku Paan Singh etc.
And their were lot of comics too to entertain us like Chacha Choudhary, Rajan-Iqbal(Our Pair of James Bonds!) and Amar Chitra Katha etc.
Books
As far as I remember, Panchtantra was my first book which I read in my childhood. There was a certain familiarity with this book as most of the stories has already appeared in the Magazines like Nandan, Champak etc.
I got addicted to Short Novellas(Spy / Thriller series) where main characters were Rajan- Iqbal. I was very impressed with their heroics when they save RajNagar and country by enemies.