Top 10 Children’s Books Of All Time

The best children’s books stick around for generations. Even when reading trends come and go, classic children’s books usually end up in the hands of kids and adults reading them generation after generation. There are ten children’s books that are recognized as the best children’s reading classics of all time. See if you’ve read any of them, and if not, treat yourself by doing so.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

A contemporary classic for young children, this children’s tale visually follows a caterpillar munching his way through a variety of foods, and later grows into a beautiful butterfly. The classic children’s tale educates kids about several topics, including the lifecycle of butterflies, different foods, and the days of the week, as well as appreciating one’s own inner beauty. Young readers.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are sends young readers into an unknown world where all sorts of wild things exist. Kids can read the story of a young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf’s outfit, who travels to the unknown island from this bedroom, soon encountering a bevy of wild things. Young readers.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Brown

A book that’s usually read to young children, Goodnight Moon is one of the first books kids read with parents as a bedtime story. In this story, a bunny says goodnight to everything that he can see from the comforts of his own room. Young readers.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

Although relatively new to the world of children’s classics, the first of this seven-part series introduces kids and adults to the orphan Harry Potter, who discovers he’s a wizard and starts a new life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Older readers.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The first of seven books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe introduces young and older readers to the world of Narnia, a place where the children can visit through a wardrobe closet. The book has been the subject of a film adaptation and has been ranked on several all-time lists, curated by the world’s most famous publications. Older readers.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the most popular children’s books of all time, having inspired kids and adults around the world. The story follows a poor, yet selfless boy named Charlie and his fateful trip to Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory. Older readers.

Little Women by Louis May Alcott

A multi-genre classic, Little Women has been enjoyed by both children and adults for decades. The woman-centric story revolves around four sisters and their journey to becoming women. Older readers.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel), the story follows a human-like cat who arrives at Sally’s home and entertains the children while making a mess. With the help of Thing 1 and Thing 2, the mess is eventually cleaned up before Sally’s mother gets home. Young readers.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Charlotte’s Web is one of the best-selling paperback books of all time and has also been immortalized in film, animation, and even a video game. The story follows a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur. Charlotte ends up using her web spinning skills to make words that help save Wilbur from slaughter. Young readers.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

The children’s classic Harold and the Purple Crayon lets kids visit a world where they can draw things as they understand them. In the story, a four-year-old boy creates a world with help from his trusty purple crayon and eventually goes on many adventures thanks to it. Young readers.