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!
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
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
- Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Corduroy by Don Freeman
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
- Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- Curious George by Margret Rey and H. A. Rey
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss,
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
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!
Excellent list, but where is “Raggedy Ann”?
Harry the Dirty Dog;
Ping;
The Magic Pudding;
The Magic Faraway Tree;
The Velveteen Rabbit surely belongs on this list!
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.
All the authors are White?
And where is Pippi Long stocking?
So true; some really classic ones are missing.
Could you please place The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on the list
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.
Any “best” list with The Giving Tree on it is utterly illegitimate.
I’d like to see on the list – The Velveteen Rabbit. / Black Beauty. /. Playing Beatie Bow / Heidi. /. PollyAnna /
The Little Red Hen
Definitely agree!
What about Blinky Bill !
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!
I agree that the Pippi books should definitely be on the list! Also, Rasmus and the Vagabond!
The fact that article is in English and all of the comments are in English would tend to slant the list toward authors who write in English. It is a fine list, not exactly as I would do it, but I have read most of them and they are great books.
The Enchanted Forest by Enid Blyton
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.
Wind in the Willows is a terrific book!
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.
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.
The Long Secret (sequel) is at least as good as Harriet the Spy.
Make Way For Ducklings
Harry the Dirty Dog… such a cute book.
Call of the Wild and Black Beauty
Edith Nesbit, starting with The Railway Children.
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.
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.
I pay attention, I’m a teacher, I loved to read to my kids, and Dr. Suess has probably instilled a love for reading at an early age more than any other author on the list. Many are just fun and some have great life lessons. I would have Sneetches on the Beaches on the list. Don’t put them on YOUR list, but you can’t determine what should be on anyone else’s list.
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
Mike Mulligan… classic!
I would have included “Stuart Little” in the list.
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.
Those would be in your list. There is no LIST that everyone will agree on. That is the joy of sharing you greatest with others. I have found some on the list that I’d never heard of that I hope to read to my grandchildren. My favorites are important to me because of connections to the story. They probably won’t be yours, that’s fine. Everyone gets their list without pressure to conform to anyone else’s standards.
Considering all of these books are much older than a decade, I dont expect the list to change much during the next decade.
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!
So true!
How often I recall my children having ‘Scuppers the Sailor Dog’ (Margaret Wise Brown) read to them, while seated on my father’s lap.
The Watsonville Go To Birmingham-1963, Bud, Not Buddy, Esperanza Rising, Walk Two Moons, are all great books for older kids
The Drifter Series. Best modern children’s books.
This list just perpetuates a, lack of diverse voices. I’m not saying that they aren’t good, but best of all time is quite presumptuous.
It’s not presumptuous, it’s personal. Most of the books I’d have on the list would be ones that mom read to me or I read to my kids. The personal connection can be as important as style. Your list may come a different collection of authors or themes and that is your list. The truly enduring works will be found in the intersection of a large set of lists.
I would add “My Father’s Dragon”
Wind in the willows is one of the very best books for children.
Tales in verse from distant lands two books in series is a contemperary read which kidd will surely enjoy.I speak as a fan of poetry and crazy tales.
Impossible to choose and a thoroughly personal journey – my two faves as a child were Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree and Mary Norton’s The Borrowers series, both fired my imagination.
I would avoid all c s Lewis titles