100 Best Childrens Books of All Time

Best Children's Books: Where The Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. The adventure that has inspired generations of children to let out their inner monsters, showing how imagination allows for an escape from life’s doldrums. It’s also a moving testament to family love: when young Max returns from his reverie, his mother has saved him a hot dinner. Buy now: Where the Wild Things AreHarperCollins

The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats. The journey of Peter through a snowbound New York City made for a milestone: as a successful children’s story focused on a black protagonist, it broke down barriers many white editors may have never noticed. But Keats’ book is memorable too for the sheer beauty of its collage illustrations. Buy now: The Snowy DayPuffin

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Clement Hurd. Somewhere a child is being put to sleep right now to Brown’s soothing, repetitive cadences. While the lines may be etched in every parent’s memory, Hurd’s illustrations, with their quirky hidden jokes, provide amusement on the thousandth reading. Buy now: Goodnight MoonHarperCollins

Best Children's Books: Blueberries for Sal

Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey. The block-printed illustrations show just how similar families of different species can be, as child Sal and a baby bear covet Maine blueberries on a berry hunt with their respective mothers. It’s an instructive read for any kid who’s ever felt a bit like a wild animal, or parents who’ve ever felt like they’re raising one. Buy now: Blueberries for SalViking

Little Bear (series), by Else Holmelund Minarek, illustrations by Maurice Sendak. Minarik wrote these stories, which convey a young cub’s yearning for his absent father, but it’s Sendak’s illustrations that catch the eye and allow for endless imaginings of life among woodland critters. Buy now: Little Bear (series)HarperTrophy

Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen, illustrations by John Schoenherr. Many young bird watchers likely owe their passion to this story of a father-daughter trip to find the elusive great horned owl takes flight thanks to Schoenherr’s evocative woods-at-night illustrations. Buy now: Owl MoonPhilomel Books

The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. It’s hard to imagine a story more poignant than the tale of a tree that gives its life for a boy turned self-centered young man. It’s been interpreted along environmentalist and religious lines, but all can agree on the beauty of its underlying theme of generosity. Buy now: The Giving TreeHarper & Row

Best Children's Books: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, by Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Lane Smith. This ironic, witty book, which revises the story of the pigs as an exculpatory memoir by the wolf—who claims he’s not so big and bad at all!—is a welcome corrective to more saccharine tales. It also introduces young readers to the notion of dueling perspectives. Buy now: The True Story of the Three Little PigsPuffin

Tuesday, by David Wiesner. Who needs text? Not this illustrator, who also “wrote” the very few words that make up his tale. His stunning, propulsive watercolors show flying frogs on a surreal adventure. Reading may be fundamental, but here the pictures do almost all the talking. Buy now: TuesdayHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

Best Children's Books: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein. Silverstein wasn’t just good at tales of leafy self-sacrifice. His loopy poems have been speaking to kids’ concerns and sparking their imaginations for decades. Any child who’s ever fantasized about playing “hug o’ war” instead of tug-of-war will find a kindred spirit in these pages. Buy now: Where the Sidewalk EndsHarper & Row

Best Children's Books: Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson. A creative boy crafts entire worlds of his own devising, using only his trusty crayon. Buy now: Harold and the Purple CrayonHarperCollins

Best Children's Books: Make Way for Ducklings

Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey. A loving mother duck ferries her eight young ones through Boston. Buy now: Make Way for DucklingsViking

Olivia, by Ian Falconer. Minimalist charcoal illustrations enrich the quietly funny narrative about a confident little pig. Buy now: OliviaAtheneum Books

Madeline (series), by Ludwig Bemelmans. A spunky French girl navigates boarding school and the removal of her appendix with confidence and poise. Buy now: Madeline (series)Viking

Anno's Journey, by Mitsumasa Anno. This visual feast doesn't need a single word to showcase the beauty of northern Europe. Buy now: Anno's JourneyPuffin

Frog and Toad (series), by Arnold Lobel. Two inseparable best friends keep each other company during all their adventures. Buy now: Frog and Toad (series)HarperCollins

Best Children's Books: Click, Clack, Moo

Click, Clack, Moo, by Doreen Cronin, illustrations by Betsy Lewin. This story about farm animals sticking up for their rights wryly reveals the power of peaceful protest. Buy now: Click, Clack, MooSimon & Schuster

Best Children's Books: The Story of Ferdinand

The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf, illustrations by Robert Lawson. Contrary to the stereotype of his species, Ferdinand is a calm, peaceful bull who likes to relax under the cork tree. Buy now: The Story of FerdinandGrosset & Dunlap

Best Children's Books: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Williams. One stubborn pigeon refuses to give up on his bird-brained dream of driving a vehicle. Buy now: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the BusHyperion Press

The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. Seuss takes on serious subject matter without compromising his playful style in this environmentalist fable. Buy now: The LoraxRandom House

Corduroy, by Don Freeman. In the middle of the night, a toy bear comes to life and hops off the shelf to replace his missing button. Buy now: CorduroyPuffin

Best Children's Books: I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen. The witty account of a bear seeking out his lost hat; the illustrations are studded with subtle clues. Buy now: I Want My Hat BackCandlewick Press

Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney. The true story of a woman who spread flower seeds everywhere she went, filling the coast of Maine with blossom. Buy now: Miss RumphiusPuffin

Brave Irene, by William Steig. A dressmaker's daughter bravely ventures into a snowstorm to deliver the duchess her new gown in time for the ball. Buy now: Brave IreneSquare Fish

Best Children's Books: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, illustrations by Ray Cruz. Alexander's nonstop misfortunes pile up comically over the course of one outrageous day. Buy now: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayAtheneum Books

Best Children's Books: The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss. A big cat surprises Dick and Sally, transforming their dreary day at home into a wild adventure. Buy now: The Cat in the HatRandom House

Press Here, by Herve Tullet. An innovative, interactive work that gets kids to play with the physical form of the book. Buy now: Press HereChronicle Books

Best Children's Books: The Day the Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt, illustrations by Oliver Jeffers. All the crayons in Duncan's box go on strike, citing all kinds of hilarious grievances. Buy now: The Day the Crayons QuitPhilomel

Best Children's Books: Whistle for Willie

Whistle for Willie, by Ezra Jack Keats. Richly colorful illustrations accompany this tale about a boy learning to whistle. Buy now: Whistle for WilliePuffin

Best Children's Books: The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, by Chris Van Allsburg. An elegant, eerie story about an enchanted garden where it is not easy to separate what's real from what isn't. Buy now: The Garden of Abdul GasaziHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

Best Children's Books: Yertle the Turtle

Yertle the Turtle, by Dr. Seuss. In this collection of Seuss tales, a turtle king tries to stand tall by stacking his subjects on top of each other. Buy now: Yertle the TurtleRandom House

Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gag. A man seeking a new feline friend is unable to pick just one, and brings home way too many. Buy now: Millions of CatsG. P. Putnam's Sons

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrations by Lois Ehlert. Letters (literally) come to life in this alphabet book about a risky climb up a coconut tree. Buy now: Chicka Chicka Boom BoomLittle Simon

A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond, illustrations by Peggy Fortnum. This iconic bear with the blue jacket charms readers with his clumsiness and ridiculous antics. Buy now: A Bear Called PaddingtonHarperCollins

Winnie the Pooh (series), by A.A. Milne, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard. Children cannot resist this sweet, slow-moving bear with a taste for "hunny." Buy now: Winnie the Pooh (series) Methuen & Co. Ltd.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter. In this British classic, a rebellious rabbit gets himself into lots of trouble but somehow makes it home safe. Buy now: The Tale of Peter RabbitFrederick Warne & Co

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton. A man and his steam shovel prove their worth in this testament to friendship and hard work. Buy now: Mike Mulligan and His Steam ShovelHMH Books

Go Dog, Go, by P.D. Eastman. This book for beginning readers manages to convey some very deep lessons in an accessible form. Buy now: Go Dog, GoRandom House

Mama Don't Allow, by Thacher Hurd. A badger loves to play his saxophone, but his mom won't put up with his music, so he finds some alligator pals who dig it. Buy now: Mama Don't AllowHarperCollins

Eloise, by Kay Thompson, illustrations by Hilary Knight. An adventurous and confident young girl lives on the top floor of a New York hotel with her nanny, a dog, and a turtle. Buy now: EloiseSimon & Schuster

Best Children's Books: Bread and Jam for Frances

Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban, illustrations by Lillian Hoban. An extremely picky eater expands her diet beyond bread and jam and discovers the pleasure of a well-rounded meal. Buy now: Bread and Jam for FrancesHarperCollins

Amelia Bedelia, by Peggy Parish, illustrations by Fritz Siebel. A highly literal housekeeper charmingly misinterprets everyday language. Buy now: Amelia BedeliaHarperCollins

Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch, illustrations by Sheila McGraw. A mother cradles her sleeping child and sings him a lullaby, and keeps up the habit for years and years. Buy now: Love You ForeverFirefly Books

Animalia, by Graeme Base. An intricate, animal-themed alphabet book that transcends the limitations of its form. Buy now: AnimaliaHarry N. Abrams

Best Children's Books: In the Night Kitchen

In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak. A child drifts through a dream world where bakers are preparing a tasty cake. Buy now: In the Night KitchenHarperCollins

Best Children's Books: Diary of a Wombat

Diary of a Wombat, by Jackie French, illustrations by Bruce Whatley. Kids learn the daily routine of a lazy wombat by reading his diary entries. Buy now: Diary of a WombatHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

Best Children's Books: Tikki Tikki Tembo

Tikki Tikki Tembo, by Arlene Mosel, illustrations by Blair Lent. In this retelling of a folktale, a young boy with a ridiculously long name falls into a well. Buy now: Tikki Tikki TemboSquare Fish Books

Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Jon Klassen. Annabelle and her box of yarn bring color to a colorless town. Buy now: Extra YarnBalzer + Bray

Good Dog, Carl, by Alexandra Day. A baby romps around his house with the family dog, who cleans everything up before Mom notices. Buy now: Good Dog, CarlSimon & Schuster

Best Children's Books: My Father's Dragon

My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett. A child adventures to a dangerous island to free a baby dragon. Buy now: My Father's DragonRandom House

Hello, Rock, by Roger Bradfield. A child happily converses with a rock in this celebration of imagination. Buy now: Hello, RockPurple House Press

The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson, illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A clever mouse invents a fearsome creature to protect himself from predators in the woods—but is the Gruffalo really imaginary? Buy now: The GruffaloPuffin

Best Children's Books: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig. A donkey finds a pebble that makes all his wishes come true, but accidentally turns himself to stone. Buy now: Sylvester and the Magic PebbleSimon & Schuster

Best Children's Books: The Important Book

The Important Book, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Leonard Weisgard. A curious game asks children to name the most important quality about the different objects they see. Buy now: The Important BookHarperCollins

Jazz, by Walter Dean Myers, illustrations by Christopher Myers. These jazz poems and their vivid illustrations capture the energy of the genre. Buy now: JazzHoliday House

The Stranger, by Chris Van Allsburg. A suspenseful farm tale about a mystery visitor who seems to control the weather. Buy now: The StrangerHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. A cheery caterpillar nibbles his way through an assortment of colorful foods and transforms into a butterfly. Buy now: The Very Hungry CaterpillarPhilomel

Elephant and Piggie (series), by Mo Willems. Two best friends learn all kind of lessons in this series of low-stakes moral dilemmas. Buy now: Elephant and Piggie (series)Disney-Hyperion

Best Children's Books: Jenny and the Cat Club

Jenny and the Cat Club, by Esther Averill. A cat named Jenny tries to finagle her way into the glamorous Cat Club. Buy now: Jenny and the Cat ClubScholastic

Best Children's Books: The Runaway Bunny

The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Clement Hurd. A wandering bunny and his loving mother play hide-and-seek in this classic. Buy now: The Runaway BunnyHarperCollins

Best Children's Books: Pippi Longstocking

Pippi Longstocking (series), by Astrid Lindgren. An impulsive, fearless and charming girl gets herself into lots of entertaining mischief. Buy now: Pippi Longstocking (series)Puffin

Journey, by Aaron Becker. A girl armed with a magic crayon draws to escape her boring, colorless world. Buy now: JourneyCandlewick

Best Children's Books: Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. Everyone knows this poem singing the praises of an unlikely meal, but it never gets old. Buy now: Green Eggs and HamRandom House

The Red Balloon, by Albert Lamorisse. Vivid photographs help tell this story about a boy in Paris and his best friend, a red balloon. Buy now: The Red BalloonRandom House

Best Children's Books: Little Owl's Night

Little Owl's Night, by Divya Srinivasan. This gorgeously illustrated book teaches kids that night is not to be feared, and is beautiful in its own right. Buy now: Little Owl's NightViking

Best Children's Books: Paddle-to-the-Sea

Paddle-to-the-Sea, by Holling Clancy Holling. A young boy carves a figure in a small canoe and sends him on a journey from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Buy now: Paddle-to-the-SeaHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

Katy and the Big Snow, by Virginia Lee Burton. A snowplow finally gets her chance to impress the townspeople on the first big snow day of the year. Buy now: Katy and the Big SnowHMH Books

Best Children's Books: A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead, illustrations by Erin E. Stead. An elderly man makes daily visits to his animal pals at the zoo, and they return the favor when he falls sick. Buy now: A Sick Day for Amos McGeeRoaring Brook Press

Slow Loris, by Alexis Deacon. This slow-moving animal seems very lazy during his days at the zoo, but turns out to have a wild nightlife. Buy now: Slow LorisKane/Miller Book Publishers

Best Children's Books: The Color Kittens

The Color Kittens, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Alice and Martin Provensen. Two kittens with green eyes manage to invent all the colors in the world. Buy now: The Color KittensRandom House

Best Children's Books: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, by William Joyce, illustrations by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm. This tale affirms that no matter the medium—printed page or electronic screen—we will always be gripped by stories. Buy now: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris LessmoreAtheneum Books

Best Children's Books: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, The Places You'll Go!, by Dr. Seuss. The optimistic poem is perfect for anyone about to head into a new world, whether that's middle school or the job market. Buy now: Oh, The Places You'll Go!Random House

Best Children's Books: The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper. This tale of self-motivation has echoed through generations: "I think I can—I think I can..." Buy now: The Little Engine That CouldPenguin

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, by Richard Scarry. Incredibly detailed spreads show every vehicle known to man—and plenty of whimsical inventions as yet unknown to man. Buy now: Cars and Trucks and Things That GoGolden Books

Best Children's Books: The New Kid on the Block

The New Kid on the Block, by Jack Prelutsky, illustrations by James Stevenson. Poems full of sonic play and surreal imagery, taking on subject matters like jellyfish stew and a bouncing mouse. Buy now: The New Kid on the BlockHarperCollins

Best Children's Books: How Rocket Learned to Read

How Rocket Learned to Read, by Tad Hills. A sleepy dog's nap is interrupted by a bird who wants to teach him to read, and he soon learns to love it. Buy now: How Rocket Learned to Read Schwartz & Wade

Best Children's Books: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, by Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Lane Smith. A irreverent, razor-sharp parody of the fairy tale form; it also manages to make metafiction kid-friendly. Buy now: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid TalesViking

Best Children's Books: The Story of Babar

The Story of Babar, by Jean de Brunhoff. The beloved French elephant travels from the jungle to the big city and back, just in time to be crowned king of the elephant kingdom. Buy now: The Story of BabarRandom House

Best Children's Books: The Three Questions

The Three Questions, by Jon J. Muth. This watercolor adaptation of a Tolstoy fable squeezes the original's philosophy into a kid-sized portion. Buy now: The Three QuestionsScholastic

Best Children's Books: Grandfather's Journey

Grandfather's Journey, by Allen Say. The author chronicles his grandfather's journey from Japan to California and back again, pairing it with delicate, warm art. Buy now: Grandfather's JourneyHoughton Mifflin Harcourt

We Are the Ship, by Kadir Nelson. This inspiring history of the Negro Leagues honors baseball greats like Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. Buy now: We Are the ShipDisney-Hyperion

Best Children's Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt

We're Going on a Bear Hunt, by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. A family goes off to hunt a bear and the bear does not take kindly to this. Buy now: We're Going on a Bear HuntSimon & Schuster

Arthur's Nose (series), by Marc Brown. Little known fact: Arthur, the popular aardvark, used to have a much longer nose, and he wasn't too pleased with it. Buy now: Arthur's Nose (series)Little, Brown

Best Children's Books: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrations by Felicia Bond. This playful parable of a greedy mouse shows kids that every cause has an effect. Buy now: If You Give a Mouse a CookieHarperCollins

Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman, by Maira Kalman. To avoid piano teacher Mrs. Kackleman, siblings Alexander and Lulu embark on a chaotic, parent-free journey to Japan. Buy now: Sayonara, Mrs. KacklemanPuffin

Miss Nelson is Missing, by Harry Allard, illustrations by James Marshall. Miss Nelson goes missing, and because her wildly misbehaved class can't handle the cruel substitute teacher, they seek her whereabouts. Buy now: Miss Nelson is MissingHMH Books for Young Readers

Best Children's Books: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes. In this cautionary tale that keeps its sense of humor, Lilly acts rashly in school and soon regrets it. Buy now: Lilly's Purple Plastic PurseHarperCollins

Alligator Pie, by Dennis Lee, illustrations by Jack Newfeld. A Canadian classic chock full of playful rhyming verse. Buy now: Alligator PieHarperCollins

Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi, illustrations by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum. A treatise on that basic bodily function, told with humor and poise. Buy now: Everyone PoopsKane/Miller Book Publishers

Best Children's Books: Rain Makes Applesauce

Rain Makes Applesauce, by Julian Scheer, illustrations by Marvin Bileck. Filled with beautiful, dense illustrations, this intricate work reveals itself slowly and rewards rereading. Buy now: Rain Makes Applesauce Holiday House

Lon Po Po, by Ed Young. In this dark variant of Little Red Riding Hood, young sisters deliver swift justice to the big bad wolf. Buy now: Lon Po PoPuffin

The Berenstain Bears (series), by Stan & Jan Berenstain. Each tale about this family of bears packs in a lesson about morality or health. Buy now: The Berenstain Bears (series)Random House

Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater. Mr. Popper dreams about polar adventure—and it comes right to his doorstep in the form of a dozen penguins. Buy now: Mr. Popper's PenguinsLittle, Brown

Library Lion, by Michelle Knudsen, illustrations by Kevin Hawkes. A lion might make for an unlikely library visitor, but this one learns to love his new literary hangout. Buy now: Library LionCandlewick

Best Children's Books: The Real Mother Goose

The Real Mother Goose, with illustrations by Blanche Fisher Wright. This iconic book of nursery rhymes has stayed relevant nearly a century after it was first published. Buy now: The Real Mother GoosePrimedia eLaunch

Best Children's Books: Harry the Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog, by Gene Zion, illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham. Kids might be more eager to bathe after seeing this mischievous dog get so dirty his own family can't recognize him. Buy now: Harry the Dirty DogHarperCollins

Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper. Because she cannot talk, walk, or write, no one knows how brilliant 5th grader Melody is—until she finds a way to make her voice heard. Buy now: Out of My MindAtheneum Books

Best Children's Books: The Poky Little Puppy

The Poky Little Puppy, by Janette Sebring Lowrey, illustrations by Gustaf Tenggren. One curious puppy likes to dawdle and wander more than his siblings, and he learns a lesson about independence. Buy now: The Poky Little PuppyRandom House

Pete the Cat (series), by Eric Litwin, illustrations by James Dean. Pete is a blue cat who loves to groove and never loses his cool, no matter what trouble he steps in. Buy now: Pete the Cat (series)HarperCollins

Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon. An orphaned baby bat experiences growing pains when she is raised by a family of birds. Buy now: StellalunaHMH Books

LIST: The 100 Best Childrens Books of All Time

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