50 Essential Children's Books

We might be a little biased, but we believe reading is an essential part of childhood. Teachers and schools can teach you many useful things (and some not so useful) but a steady diet of literature can ensure a child's education never ends. Some kids are born bibliophiles, while others can't be bothered with books. The challenge for any parent, teacher or librarian is finding the books that turn reluctant readers into voracious ones. But how do you know which children's books will do the trick? Reading comes much easier if you read about what you love, so let your little reader decide. One book usually leads to another. To help get you (and your young reader) started, we've gathered up 50 great books for kids. The list ranges from picture books for young children like Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, to little novels for independent readers like The BFG and Stuart Little. Even if your child isn't quite ready to read big books on their own, series like Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia are fun to read out loud and will please children (and adults) of any age. Our list of the best books for children includes brand new books, Newberry Award-winners, and timeless classics you'll remember from your own childhood. Head down the page to the comment section to leave your own suggestions! Happy reading.

The Best Books for Children

The Cricket in Times Square

by George Selden

Join Chester Cricket and his friends in this classic children's book by George Selden, with illustrations by Garth Williams.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

by Kelly Barnhill

An exciting fantasy novel full of magical creatures and important life lessons about opression and belonging.

Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt de la Pena

This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena's vibrant text and Christian Robinson's radiant illustrations.

The War that Saved my Life

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson's Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.

Wolf Hollow

by Lauren Wolk

Brilliantly crafted, Wolf Hollow is a haunting tale of America at a crossroads and a time when one girl's resilience, strength, and compassion help to illuminate the darkest corners of our history.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

by Kate DiCammillo

Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in this genre-breaking novel.

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead?

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure.

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown

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.

Pax

by Sara Pennypacker

A beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox.

Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

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.

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

A poignant picture book about love and acceptance, cherished for over fifty years.

The Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Grahame

Rat, Mole, Badger and the preposterous Mr Toad have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on and by the river, and at the imposing residence of Toad Hall.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

by Maryrose Wood

Discovered in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess.

The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera

by Shahrukh Husain

A beautiful collection of seven accessible opera tales includes Britten's "The Little Sweep," Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Rimsky-Korsakov's "Christmas Eve," and others, demystifying the drama behind one of the world's most beloved art forms.

The Iron Man

by Ted Hughes

Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. Then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world.

The BFG

by Roald Dahl

Every night, when the world is sleeping, big gruesome giants guzzle up whoppsy-whiffling human beans. And there's only one giant who can stop them - the BFG.

How to Train Your Dragon

by Cressida Cowell

Hiccup Haddock Horrendous III was a truly extraordinary Viking hero. The warrior chieftain and awesome sword fighter was known as 'the Dragon Whisperer', on account of his power over these terrifying beasts. But it wasn't always like that.

The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster

For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different.

The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

A great modern classic and the prelude to The Lord of the Rings.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll

Curious Alice, the bossy White Rabbit, the formidable Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter are among the best-loved, most iconic literary creations of all time.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside.

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets.

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeline L'Engle

Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!

by Jon Scieszka

Did the story of the three little pigs ever seem slightly biased to you? As Alexander T. Wolf explains it, the whole Big Bad Wolf thing was just a big misunderstanding.

Olivia

by Ian Falconer

Olivia is an absolute delight! A gorgeous little pig who likes to dress-up, sing songs, dance, think, snooze (sometimes) and is even quite good at building sandcastles.

Madeline

by Ludwig Bemelmans

Poor Miss Clavel! In "an old house in Paris that was covered with vines," Miss Clavel oversees the education of 12 little girls, the littlest of whom is the mischievous Madeline.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

by Florence and Richard Atwater

A classic of American humor, the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins have delighted children for generations.

The Story of Ferdinand

by Munro Leaf

All the other bulls run, jump, and butt their heads together in fights. Ferdinand, on the other hand, would rather sit and smell the flowers.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst

He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day...

The Day the Crayons Quit

by Drew Daywalt

What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

A Bear Called Paddington

by Michael Bond

"A bear? On Paddington station?" Mrs Brown looked at her husband in amazement. "Don't be silly, Henry. There can't be!"

The Complete Tales of Winne-the-Pooh

by A.A. Milne

These characters and their stories are timeless treasures of childhood that continue to speak to all of us with the kind of freshness and heart that distinguishes true storytelling.

Sounder

by William H. Armstrong

Set in the Deep South, this Newbery Medal-winning novel tells the story of the great coon dog, Sounder, and the poor sharecroppers who own him.

Frog and Toad Together

by Arnold Lobel

Frog and Toad are best friends-they do everything together. When Toad admires the flowers in Frog's garden, Frog gives him seeds to grow a garden of his own. When Toad bakes cookies, Frog helps him eat them.

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Bridge to Terabithia

by Katherine Paterson

Jess and Leslie create a secret kingdom in the woods named Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen until tragedy strikes.

The Sam Pig Storybook

by Alison Uttley

Sam Pig lives in a thatched cottage with Tom, Bill and Ann Pig - and also Brock the Badger. Here are twenty of the best Sam Pig stories from Alison Uttley, whose magical imagination has brought Sam's exploits to life for generations of children.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

by Beverly Cleary

In Ramona's world, being eight isn't easy, but it's never dull!

Holes

by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses.

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

For fans of Old Yeller and Shiloh, this beloved classic captures the powerful bond between man and man's best friend.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

Four adventurous siblings-Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie-step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

The story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden!

Bread and Jam for Frances

by Russell Hoban

In this memorable story, Frances decides that bread and jam are all she wants to eat, and her understanding parents grant her wish'at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacktime.

In the Night Kitchen

by Maurice Sendak

The bakers in the night kitchen need more milk for their batter, but then Mickey falls into the cake! They decide to put him in the oven anyway, but Mickey has different plans...

My Father's Dragon

by Ruth Stiles Gannett

When Elmer Elevator hears about the baby dragon being held captive on Wild Island, he knows just what to do.

The Little Prince

by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

In this enchanting tale, the author reminisces about a day when his plane was forced down in the Sahara, a thousand miles from help. There he encountered a most extraordinary small-person.

What books are missing from our list?