The 25 Best Children’s Books of All Time 

For most people, children’s novels hold a special place in our heart because they are the first books we read. And we continue the tradition and have our children read them. There is a lot of great children’s literature out there. That is why we decided to list the 25 best children’s books of all time. Keep reading to find out which books made our list! 

The 25 Best Children’s Books of All Time
The 25 Best Children’s Books of All Time

Choosing only 25 books was not easy. There are dozens of great children’s literature that many children read. But tough choices had to be made. So, if your favorite books didn’t make it, don’t hate us. Somebody had to make tough choices. You can see the full list below. 

The 25 Best Children’s Books of All Time 

Children’s Classics 

You will recognize most if not all these books on the list. This is not a list that will surprise you. Maybe some people will be surprised that some didn’t make the list but which ones would you even remove?  

Many of these books are common sights in your household and I imagine some of them are even handed down. Children’s books are timeless and magical and I can’t wait to see how this list changes in the next decade! 

Conclusion 

That is all for the best children’s books of all time list. What books should we have included on the list? Let us know in the comments below! 

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33 thoughts on “The 25 Best Children’s Books of All Time 

    1. Kevin Habanero says:

      Harry the Dirty Dog;
      Ping;
      The Magic Pudding;
      The Magic Faraway Tree;

      Reply
      1. Anonymous says:

        The Velveteen Rabbit surely belongs on this list!

      2. Deidre Tronson says:

        Thank you for these totally agree. But add SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE…hilarious clever jokes for parents as well as wonderful stories sbd environmental Ed for kids.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Could you please place The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on the list

    Reply
    1. Anonymous says:

      Why am I not seeing Beverly Cleary’s award winning Ramona books, Laura Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books and beloved Lois Lenski.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says:

    Any “best” list with The Giving Tree on it is utterly illegitimate.

    Reply
    1. Anonymous says:

      I’d like to see on the list – The Velveteen Rabbit. / Black Beauty. /. Playing Beatie Bow / Heidi. /. PollyAnna /

      Reply
      1. Tina Cooper-Lyman says:

        The Little Red Hen

  3. Inga says:

    What about any non-English-speaking author? This list is very presumtious!!! No Astrid Lindgren, Michael Ende and so many more!! Very sad list, indeed!

    Reply
    1. Anonymous says:

      I agree that the Pippi books should definitely be on the list! Also, Rasmus and the Vagabond!

      Reply
  4. Robin Winston says:

    As a parent of two grown children and an elementary school teacher for 36 years, I add the book that most changed my life: “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. It is a classic hero’s tale reminiscent of “The Wizard of Oz,” but written with such language play and wisdom that adults can treasure it as much as children.

    Reply
  5. David Jeffries says:

    I knew most of the books from my childhood. A new up and coming one is called “Something’s Eating the Garden” by Pam Fries and Illustrated by Pam Fries No political agenda, just beautiful illustrations and a fun storyline for preschool/kindergarten age.

    Reply
  6. Lyn Campbell says:

    What about any Australian authors? This is so old and narrow. Modern classics exist too. At least Possum Magic should be there. As a former Teacher Librarian for over 40 years, I feel mortified by some of these suggestions. Where are Enid Blyton and Paul Brickhill? Great classic authors.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says:

    The Long Secret (sequel) is at least as good as Harriet the Spy.

    Reply
  8. Monica Ganz, Children’s Book Writer says:

    Harry the Dirty Dog… such a cute book.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says:

    The Secret Garden, Little Women, Stuart Little, Heather Has Two Mommies, Johnny Tremaine, and a couple that may have been canceled but may also have been revised: Doctor Doolittle and Little House on the Prairie.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says:

    I’m trying to figure out what qualifies you to compile a list like this. Anyone who has paid attention to children’s literature over the last ten years would not have included three Dr. Seuss books.

    Reply
  11. Catherine M Acton says:

    Millions Of Cats by Wanda Gag; Mike Mulligan And The Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton; The Little House by V. Burton; The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn; Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says:

    I would have included “Stuart Little” in the list.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says:

    Not a black child in any of these books. There are so many great books written recently with diverse characters. Amazing Grace, Crown, Be Kind, Hair Love. We don’t have to just stick to the old classics. They have their place, but many new books are as good or better.

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says:

    Considering all of these books are much older than a decade, I dont expect the list to change much during the next decade.

    Reply
  15. Janie Conroy says:

    Old books were best books, written to entertain, rhyme, intrigue; not trying to be politically correct, or worried about offending (heaven forbid) anyone, or intent on teaching some concept or life lesson! Like Dr. Seuss!

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says:

    How often I recall my children having ‘Scuppers the Sailor Dog’ (Margaret Wise Brown) read to them, while seated on my father’s lap.

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says:

    The Watsonville Go To Birmingham-1963, Bud, Not Buddy, Esperanza Rising, Walk Two Moons, are all great books for older kids

    Reply

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