20 Must-Have Classic Children's Books
20 Must-Have Classic Children's Books — and When to Introduce Them
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It's never too early to start introducing your children to the classics — the kiddie classics, that is. We've rounded up 20 timeless children's books that are musts in every literary kid's library. From titles just for babes and toddlers like Goodnight Moon and Are You My Mother? to books that have been sparking the imaginations of older children for decades, these books are as relevant and extraordinary now as they were when you first read them.
1 Charlotte's Web
Touching on everything from friendship to the anticipation of the changing seasons to the miracles of life and death, Charlotte's Web has been a reader favorite since E.B. White wrote it in 1952.
Appropriate For Ages: 8+
Click to Buy: Charlotte's Web ($5).
2 Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon is proof that some classics never go out of style. The quiet poetry of the words and the gentle illustrations make this the perfect book to end your little one's day.
Appropriate For Ages: 1+
Click to Buy: Goodnight Moon ($8)
3 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl's story of Willy Wonka's famous and wild chocolate factory and the five lucky children who are allowed inside is as delightful as it is candy filled!
Appropriate For Ages: 8+
Click to Buy: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ($8)
4 The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
For more than 70 years, kids have delighted in the tales of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. Silly situations, wonderful wordplay, and a message of enduring friendship are Pooh hallmarks.
Appropriate For Ages: 3 to 8
Click to Buy: The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh ($23)
5 The Velveteen Rabbit
Originally published in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the charming tale of how a stuffed toy rabbit is brought to life through the love of his boy.
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: The Velveteen Rabbit ($6)
6 Oh, the Places You'll Go!
There's a reason that this book shows up at graduations from pre-K through college. It's whimsical and inspirational and makes the reader feel like she can conquer the world.
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: Oh, the Places You'll Go! ($9)
7 Stuart Little
In the beloved tale of an adventure-loving mouse, Stuart Little ventures off on the greatest journey of his life in search of his best friend, a bird named Margalo, who has gone missing.
Appropriate For Ages: 8+
Click to Buy: Stuart Little ($7)
8 The Runaway Bunny
Since its publication in 1942, The Runaway Bunny has taught generations of sleepy children about a mother's unconditional love. This story will resonate with moms and kids alike.
Appropriate For Ages: 2+
Click to Buy: The Runaway Bunny ($7)
9 The Very Hungry Caterpillar
A modern classic, originally published in 1994, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar lets children watch as the caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of this beautifully illustrated book.
Appropriate For Ages: 1+
Click to Buy: The Very Hungry Caterpillar ($6)
10 Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein's book of silly poems and cartoons, originally published in 1974, entertained us when we were children, and your kids will be laugh their way through it, too!
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: Where the Sidewalk Ends ($11)
11 The Lorax
While The Lorax is essentially a story about caring for the environment, in typical Dr. Seuss form, the 1971 classic is written so well that the kids don't even realize that there's an important message within all the fun!
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: The Lorax ($12)
12 Where the Wild Things Are
Imaginative and wondrous, Maurice Sendak's classic tale of a mischievous boy who runs away to where the wild things are will inspire your kids' imaginations . . . and perhaps a wild rumpus of your own.
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: Where the Wild Things Are ($5)
13 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Pull this book out whenever your kids are having a less-than-stellar day. We guarantee that compared to Alexander, their days won't seem that bad!
Appropriate For Ages: 6+
Click to Buy: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day ($7)
14 Are You My Mother?
A classic and, for many kids, a great book for learning how to read, this tells the story of a baby bird who falls from his nest and sets out in search of his mother.
Appropriate For Ages: 3+
Click to Buy: Are You My Mother? ($3)
15 Bread and Jam For Frances
The sweet badger named Frances has been charming readers for 30-plus years. Will she ever get over her love for bread and jam and expand her horizons to a more varied menu?
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: Bread and Jam For Frances ($5)
16 Corduroy
The endearing story of a teddy bear named Corduroy's overnight adventures while being locked in a department store has withstood the test of time since 1976.
Appropriate For Ages: 3 to 8
Click to Buy: Corduroy ($5)
17 Frog and Toad Storybook Favorites
Frog and Toad have been charming children for more than 30 years with fun, sweet stories that help encourage early readers and teach little ones about friendship.
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: Frog and Toad Storybook Favorites ($9)
18 The Giving Tree
Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree tells the tale of a tree's unending gifts, presented to a boy throughout his life. Moving and tender, the book is truly a love story.
Appropriate For Ages: 4+
Click to Buy: The Giving Tree ($9)
19 Green Eggs and Ham
Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham has been a favorite of kids since it was first published in 1960. The story follows Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince a nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham is, indeed, a delicious meal that everyone should enjoy.
Appropriate For Ages: 3+
Click to Buy: Green Eggs and Ham ($7)
20 James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl's fantastical tale, originally published in 1961, tells the story of a boy who accidentally drops some magic crystals by an old peach tree, causing a peach to grow as big as a house and many adventures to ensue.
Appropriate For Ages: 6+
Click to Buy: James and the Giant Peach ($8)
