Best Classic Childrens Books

THE all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds!

A sturdy and beautiful book to give as a gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

You can find all of Eric Carle's wonderful books here.

This is easily one of the most read book in our house!

Exuberantly colored artwork and favourite animals make this rhythmic story the perfect introduction to looking and learning about colors. Each spread leads seamlessly into the next and young children will delight in Eric's colorful collage animals and simple repetitive language.

Find all of the Brown Bear and Friends here.

In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition.

A young mother holds her baby, and while she sings to it she rocks it back and forth. And through her life, and the stages of his life, she holds her son and rocks him back and forth as she tells him that she will love him forever.

Naughty Spot is late for his supper - where could he be? This is a wonderful way to read this classic and beloved Spot story. Now loved all over the world Spot is an enduring, modern and classic character.

You can find all of the delightful Spot books here.

From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations.

Celebrate 50 years of this irresistible childhood classic, a heartwarming story about a little bear and a little girl finding the friend they have always wanted in each other.

And you can find all of the adorable Corduroy books here.

Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure!

For two decades, Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, has captured the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books.

Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf.

When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat...

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.

This book is a great first introduction to Mouse, the star of the If You Give... series and a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to "read it again!"

Find all of the books from the If You Give series here.

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition celebrates the classic beloved by generations of readers.

In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure.

In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.

Read along as Grover begs you not to turn the page -- because there is a monster at this end of this book!

Lovable, furry old Grover is distressed to learn that there's a monster at the end of this book! He begs readers not to turn the pages, but of course kids feel they just have to see this monster for themselves. Grover is astonished--and toddlers will be delighted--to discover who is really the monster at the end of the book!

With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children’s classic.

Kids will love the terrific tongue-twisters as the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham gets longer and longer...and they might even learn a thing or two about trying new things!

From counting to opposites to Dr. Seuss's signature silly rhymes, this book has everything a beginning reader needs! Meet the bumpy Wump and the singing Ying, and even the winking Yink who drinks pink ink. The silly rhymes and colorful cast of characters will have every child giggling from morning to night.

This is a collection that belongs on everyone's bookshelf!

Come in... for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. This special edition contains 12 extra poems. Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings stretches the bounds of imagination and will be cherished by readers of all ages.

The must-have, heartwarming and hilarious classic about a baby bird in search of his mother!

When a mother bird's egg starts to jump, she hurries off to make sure she has something for her little one to eat. But as soon as she's gone, out pops the baby bird. He immediately sets off to find his mother, but not knowing what she looks like makes it a challenge. The little hatchling is determined to find his mother, even after meeting a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a Snort.

Have a ball with Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat in this classic picture book...but don't forget to clean up your mess!

A dreary day turns into a wild romp when this beloved story introduces readers to the Cat in the Hat and his troublemaking friends, Thing 1 and Thing 2. A favorite among kids, parents and teachers, this story uses simple words and basic ryhme to encourage and delight beginning readers.

It's time to start your engines in this Richard Scarry classic all about vehicles!

Buckle-up for a fun-filled day of planes, trains, automobiles and even a pickle truck! Featuring hundreds of clearly labeled vehicles, this is the perfect book for little vehicle fans from the one and only Richard Scarry.

Find even more books from Richard Scarry's Busy World here.

Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family.

Join a father and his four young children as they cross a field of tall, wavy grass, wade through a deep, cold river, struggle through swampy mud, find their way through a big, dark forest, fight through a whirling snowstorm, and enter finally enter a narrow, gloomy cave. What will they find there? You’ll have to read on to find out!

Written for beginning readers using only 75 different words, this beloved Beginner Book by P.D. Eastman — edited by Dr. Seuss — features all kinds of wonderful dogs riding bicycles, scooters, skis, roller skates, and driving all sorts of vehicles on their way to a party held on top of a tree!

Delightful to read aloud, The Poky Little Puppy is a cherished story that every child should know.

The Poky Little Puppy was one of the original twelve Little Golden Books published in 1942, and went on to become the bestselling picture book of all time. The story of a curious puppy, who digs holes under fences and who has to go to bed without any strawberry shortcake, has delighted families for generations. it is, quite simply, an icon.

Celebrate Earth Day with Dr. Seuss and the Lorax in this classic picture book about sustainability and protecting the environment!

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

Written in rollicking rhyme, this simplified board book edition of Al Perkins' beloved Beginner Book is ideal for reading out loud, as well as introducing kids to the joys of making music!

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last!

But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

A true classic with a timeless message, The Story of Ferdinand has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936.

All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when our pacifist hero is picked for the bullfights in Madrid?

It's time to sleep with this hilarious and adorable bedtime story featuring Little Critter! Perfect for parents to read aloud with their toddlers.

Little Critter is not looking forward to bedtime. Whether it’s time for him to stop playing and take a bath, or making a fuss about getting into his jammies, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A great way to introduce children to their very own bedtime routine!

Little Critter is exploring the great outdoors with his dad in this heartwarming and funny classic. The perfect gift to celebrate dad this Father's Day--this sweet story makes a great read aloud story time with toddlers.

A perfect book for reading aloud with your little one right before bed. An absolute treasure that will be enjoyed for years!

Cuddle up on the sofa with this beautiful book, open the pages, and take a look! There are lovely pictures and familiar rhymes, to share with your child before sleepytime. Join Mother Goose, kings, and twinkling stars, let your dreams and imagination take you far.

A Light in the Attic delights with remarkable characters and hilariously profound poems in a collection readers will return to again and again.

Here in the attic you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel.

Nothing frightens Madeline — not tigers, not even mice.

With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years!

Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world.

Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is.

Young children can experience the enchantment of Beatrix Potter's famous tale of naughty Peter Rabbit's adventures in Mr. McGregor's garden.

Simple text and beautiful illustrations bring the classic story to life, making this a great gift for the holidays, to welcome a new baby, or as a must-have for every family's bookshelf!

Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter wants to show you all the things he can do for himself in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book.

Whether he’s tying his shoes, coloring a picture, or riding his bike, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about independence!

The kindness and determination of the Little Blue Engine have inspired millions of children around the world since the story was first published in 1930.

Cherished by readers for ninety years, The Little Engine That Could is a classic tale of a little engine that, despite her size, triumphantly pulls a train full of wonderful things to the children waiting on the other side of a mountain. 

The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.

A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek. Children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.

Full of short, simple words and silly rhymes, this book is perfect for reading alone or reading aloud with Dad!  The rollicking rhythm will keep kids entertained on every page, and it's an especially good way to  show Pop some love on Father’s Day!

Choose kindness with Horton the elephant and the Whos of Who-ville in Dr. Seuss's classic picture book about caring for others! 

This story showcases the very best of Dr. Seuss, from the moving message to the charming rhymes and imaginative illustrations.

Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and her chicks safely at their new home.

Kids will love this noise-filled Bright and Early Book classic from the one and only Dr. Seuss!

Mr. Brown is a sound-making wonder! He can hoo hoo like an owl and buzz buzz like a bee. It is so much fun to make noises that you hear every day, like moo and ticktock. But stranger sounds are fun to make, too... like the pip of a goldfish kiss and the grum grum of a hippo chewing gum. 

Featuring everything from an airport to a grocery store, this fun-filled book has hundreds of objects clearly labeled so that little readers can expand their vocabularies. 

In print for fifty years, this classic book has sold over 5 million copies around the world and brought billions of new words to little ones across the globe. Learning has never been more fun! 

Filled with unforgettable characters like Screamin’ Millie; Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold, this collection by the celebrated Shel Silverstein will charm young readers and make them want to trip on their shoelaces and fall up too!

In these four timeless stories, Dr. Seuss challenges the assumption that we need to look the same or behave the same to find common ground. Filled with Dr. Seuss's signature rhymes and lively humor, this classic story collection is a must-have for readers of all ages, and is ideal for sparking discussions about tolerance, diversity, and acceptance.

Winnie the Pooh has enchanted readers of all ages for nearly one hundred years with its relatable, heartwarming adventures that follow the famously friendly and lovable teddy bear. In this classic collection, Winnie navigates the Hundred Acre Wood with Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, and Rabbit, learning the true meaning of friendship and the value of accepting everyone exactly as they are.

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.