Looking for the best classic children’s books to read? Whether you’re looking for the best children’s classics to read to your kids or you’re looking to re-read your childhood favorites, the 30 books on this list are sure to provide you with plenty of fun and engaging reads that both kids and adults are sure to enjoy!
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
When you’re looking for the best classic books for children, Charlotte’s Web should definitely be on your list!
This story tells the tale of a pig named Wilbur, who was the runt of his litter but was saved by a girl named Fern. When he’s too large for Fern to keep in the house, he’s put in the barn at Zuckerman’s farm where he starts to make friends with the other barnyard animals. But when the farmer decides it’s time to turn Wilbur into bacon, will Charlotte be able to help save him?
This tale is a delightful story of friendship and love, and you are sure to fall in love with Wilbur the humble, radiant pig!
2. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
If you’re looking for more of the best books for children that feature animals as main characters, then The Wind in the Willows is the book for you!
In this book, you’ll get the chance to follow the adventures of Mole, Ratty, and Badger…and of course, the infamous Mr. Toad! What adventures will they get up to along the river? Join them as they go boating, go on picnics, and even steal motor cars!
This is one of those children book classics that is sure to both entertain you and capture your heart. It’s a masterpiece you won’t want to miss!
Buy The Wind in the Willows now!
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Another of the best classic books for kids that you’ll want to read is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This book has, of course, inspired two popular film versions of the same name…but if you haven’t yet read the book, it is worth a read!
Charlie Bucket loves chocolate. However, his family is very poor so he rarely gets a chance to indulge. But one day Willy Wonka, the owner of a mysterious chocolate factory in town, announces that he will let five lucky children inside his chocolate factory for a day. All they have to do to win? Find one of the five golden tickets that have been placed in Wonka chocolate bars. When Charlie finds the last Golden Ticket, he little knows what surprises and adventures lay in store for him on his day at the chocolate factory!
This book is silly, fun, and quirky, plus a little bit dark…but it’s sure to be a hit with kids, so pick up a copy of this famous children’s story today!
Buy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory now!
4. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
When looking for magical children’s classic books, The Velveteen Rabbit is another classic story you’ll want to pick up.
The velveteen rabbit follows the lifetime of this stuffed toy, from his introduction to the nursery on Christmas morning, through his lifetime of play with the Boy, and on into his ragged days from so much fun and play. But even as the rabbit wears down, nursery magic is a strange and wonderful thing…and the rabbit is soon to learn how toys become real!
This book is a little sad and bittersweet, but a delightful tale of the experience of love and the transformation love creates. Be sure to pick up a copy with the original story and illustrations as they appeared when first published in 1922, and you won’t be disappointed!
5. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
If you want to read the most classic of classic literature for kids, then you won’t want to miss reading the Winnie the Pooh series by A.A. Milne!
There are, of course, many modern adaptions of Winnie the Pooh in book and film format, but nothing quite compares to the original tales. In Winnie the Pooh, follow the adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit, and Eeyore in the delightful Hundred Acre Wood.
You can start with the first book in the series, or go for the complete tales…but be sure to grab a copy with Ernest H. Shepard’s original, meticulously hand-painted illustrations! Both you and your child are sure to be enchanted.
6. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Another gem of classic children’s literature is The Little Prince, a tale that can be enjoyed by children but is also thought-provoking and engaging for adults.
With darling illustrations and gentle narration, this story draws you into the world of the little prince as he journeys across the universe and meets different types of people. But he soon finds that all these people don’t understand the meaning of life, and are instead preoccupied with trivial things. What is worth our time and worth considering? The Little Prince is on a journey to find out!
This story is fun on a surface level, but also makes observation about life, love, friendship, and human nature that are sure to cause you to stop and think and consider your own life philosophy. So while children will enjoy this book, you’re just as likely to enjoy it as well!
7. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Looking for classic children’s chapter books? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe definitely deserves a spot on your child’s (and your own) reading list!
A magical world? Talking animals? When Lucy stumbles through the back of a wardrobe and into the strange, snow-covered world of Narnia, she has no idea that she’s about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime! There’s an evil enchantment over the land of Narnia leaving the world always frozen in Winter, but when Lucy and her three siblings stumble back into this world will they be able to free it from this evil spell?
This is one of the most famous children’s stories and one of the top classics of children’s literature, so it is well worth taking the time to read! If you or your kid love fantasy novels or fantasy worlds, then reading this classic is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Buy The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe now!
8. Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Interested in reading an exciting American children’s classic? If so, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is the book for you!
Mr. Popper is a poor house painter who lives with his wife and two children in Stillwater, Minnesota. After Mr. Popper writes fan mail to an admiral exploring the polar regions, he soon receives a “surprise” in the mail—a male penguin sent to him in a box from Admiral Drake! Thanks to the arrival of a female penguin from the zoo soon after, the Poppers soon have twelve penguins living with them and eating them out of house and home! Something must be done!
This humorous tale is one that children will adore, and you’re sure to be at least a little amused reading it as well. After all, who hasn’t wanted the chance to have a pet penguin…or twelve?
Buy Mr. Popper’s Penguins now!
9. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
When looking for top classic children’s books for younger kids, Frog and Toad Are Friends is at the top of the list!
As the title tells us, Frog and Toad are friends. Best friends, in fact! They do everything together, from writing letters, to swimming, to finding lost buttons, to telling stories, and more. They are always there for each other, no matter what small adventure comes their way each day…so join them on their adventures and enjoy all the silly things they get up to!
Whether you’re looking for classic books for younger kids to read on their own, or a fun story to read over and over to your little ones who can’t yet read, this classic for children won’t disappoint!
Buy Frog and Toad Are Friends now!
10. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
There are few classic stories for kids that are as beloved as the tales of Beatrix Potter, and if you’re looking for a good place to start with her works then reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a perfect beginning!
This story tells of the mischievous Peter Rabbit, and all the trouble he encounters in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. From sneaking into this forbidden garden, to getting chased around the garden by Mr. McGregor, to finally escaping and returning home to his mother, Peter’s day is filled to the brim with all the trouble and tricks he can fit in it!
Once you’ve read this classic tale, you’ll be sure to want to read even more from Beatrix Potter. Classics for children don’t get much better or more entertaining than this!
Buy The Tale of Peter Rabbit now!
11. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
There are tons of classic children’s story books, but The Cricket in Times Square is another read that deserves a spot on your list.
This story tells of a cricket named Chester from Connecticut, who gets caught on a train for New York and ends up stumbling out into Times Square. A young boy named Mario finds him and takes him back to his family’s newsstand, where he meets a few other new friends: Tucker the Broadway mouse and Harry the Cat. Together, these four friends go on various escapades and adventures in New York City, while Chester comes to discover an incredible talent—his memory for music and ability to chirp opera songs!
This fun story is sure to be a hit with kids, who will love following along with the adventures of Chester. It’s a humorous read with delightful illustrations, so all around an excellent book to pick up!
Buy The Cricket in Times Square now!
12. Stuart Little by E.B. White
If you read and enjoyed Charlotte’s Web, then the next book you should pick up is another classic by the same author: Stuart Little!
Like Charlotte’s Web, this story’s main character is an animal…but no ordinary animal! Stuart Little is a mouse who was born to a family of humans and lives with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat in New York City. But Stuart is also not ordinary because while he’s shy and thoughtful, he’s also a lover of adventure!
When his best friend (a little bird named Margalo) disappears from her nest one day, Stuart leaves his home for the first time in his life to try to track her down. Will he be able to find his friend and survive his time away from home?
This is classic literature for children at its finest, and kids and adults alike will enjoy following Stuart as he explores away from home.
13. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Looking for classic picture books for kids? If so, then The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is an option you’ll want to consider. It has sometimes been called one of the most divisive books in children’s literature, however, so you’ll want to read it for yourself before deciding whether to give it to your kids or not.
This book follows the lives of an apple tree and a boy throughout their lives together. The tree is always “giving” to the boy, as he enjoys playing and climbing in the tree and eating her apples. As the boy and the tree grow, the tree gives of herself for each stage of the boy’s life: money (from her apples), a house (from her branches), etc. until all that’s left is a stump of the tree…and even then, when the boy is old, she provides a place for him to sit and rest.
The controversy stems from whether this is a tale of the beauty and capacity to love, or whether it portrays an abusive relationship where one is always giving and the other is always taking without giving in return. But many people do love this tale, so it’s included here for you to decide for yourself whether to include it in your children’s reading lists!
14. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Another of the best classic children’s stories to read is Madeline, the first book in a series that has been adapted into multiple films and TV shows.
This story is set in a boarding school in Paris, France and is perhaps most well known for its rhyming opening sentences that are repeated in the later books in the series too. It starts out:
“In an old house in Paris
That was covered in vines
Lived twelve little girls
In two straight lines.”
This first story in the series introduces us to Madeline, the smallest of the girls and the only redhead. She is also the bravest and most daring of the girls, often causing trouble for Miss Clavel with her antics. But one night Miss Clavel wakes up and senses something is wrong—Madeline is crying, and the doctor is called! What is wrong with Madeline and will she need to go to the hospital? Will she be okay?
Madeline is a courageous and loveable heroine, and this is a kid’s classic that will be sure to charm your children and even yourself!
15. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Heidi is another of the best classic children’s novels and has been beloved for generations! As the subtitle of the original published version says, it’s a novel “for children and those who love children.”
In this story, Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather in the Alps at the age of five. While everyone in the village is afraid of him, Heidi is fascinated by his long beard and bushy grey eyebrows. She comes to love life in the mountains…but one day her aunt comes to collect her and make her live with a new family in town. Can Heidi find her way back up to the mountain where she feels like she belongs?
This story is one of the best selling books ever written, and if that’s not an endorsement then I don’t know what is! So be sure to pick up your own copy to start reading today!
16. My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
There are lots of fun dragon books you could read, but if you’re looking for classic kids books with dragons then My Father’s Dragon is one to consider!
This story follows a boy named Elmer Elevator, who loves animals and becomes friends with an alley cat. When the cat learns that Elmer would love to fly, he tells him about Wild Island where a baby dragon is being held captive and needs to be rescued. Thus, Elmer sets off to Wild Island with only his wits and the items in his pack (two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a comb) in an attempt to save it from captivity and from the wild animals on Wild Island.
It’s a cute story, and the solutions Elmer comes up with to the problems he faces are often funny as he strives to rescue the baby dragon and fly them both away from the island. This is definitely one to pick up for younger readers!
17. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
When looking for more fun reads for classic children’s book lovers, Pippi Longstocking could be an excellent choice!
In the first book in the series, nine-year-old Pippi Longstocking moves into Villa Villekulla with her monkey (Mr. Nilsson) and her horse. She soon befriends the neighbor kids next door, Tommy and Annika, and bulldozes into their life with her crazy red pigtails and an outrageous flair that always leads to adventures!
This series is a fun read, so grab the first book now to get started!
18. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Want to read one of the most iconic of children’s books? Then pick up the classic The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss!
A dreary day suddenly becomes wild and fun when the Cat in the Hat and his friends, Thing 1 and Thing 2, show up at the house. What crazy things will happen?
This is, of course, a beginner book and filled with short sentences and rhymes…but it’s a classic for a reason, so if you’re looking for books for young kids then this is the one to choose!
19. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Another beloved classic for kids is A Bear Called Paddington, the first book in a series about a bear from Darkest Peru.
When Paddington travels to London from Peru, Mr. and Mrs. Brown find him on the platform of Paddington Station with a sign asking someone to “look after this bear.” So they take him home to live with them…and so begins Paddington’s adventures in London. Of course, these adventures don’t always go well and often turn into disasters like accidentally flooding the house!
But his classic book for kids will have both kids and adults giggling throughout and wishing they had their very own Paddington Bear!
Buy A Bear Called Paddington now!
20. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
For fans of adventure books, Treasure Island is another classic that you should be sure to pick up!
This story is a tale of buccaneers and buried gold, with a boy named Jim searching for the treasure of the infamous pirate Captain Flint. Will Jim be able to find the treasure? Or will he be sabotaged and captured by pirates along the way?
If you or your kids are fans of tales with treasure maps marked with an “X”, then this is a book you won’t want to miss out on. Plus, the original 1915 edition is filled with fun illustrations…so for the best reading experience, be sure to get a copy that replicates those!
21. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
Speaking of books related to seafaring and islands, another classic children’s book worth reading is The Swiss Family Robinson.
This book follows the adventures of a Swiss family of immigrants who end up shipwrecked in the East Indies on a fantastic tropical island. The Robinson children then learn to use their own abilities to overcome difficult challenges and make exciting discoveries!
This is one of the most popular books in the shipwreck and survival genre, so it’s perfect for kids who can’t get enough of exhilarating adventures!
Buy The Swiss Family Robinson now!
22. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Looking for the best classic children’s books that are also super popular with adults? Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the book for you!
When Alice notices a white rabbit taking a watch out of its waistcoat pocket, she decides to follow it to see what happens. In doing so, she finds herself falling down a rabbit hole into a strange and topsy-turvy world. Things are the same as her world…but not really, as she quickly discovers when she starts growing and shrinking by eating food and drinking from a glass bottle. Soon, she’s meeting strange characters and trying to navigate this new world she’s found herself in, and you never know what will happen next!
This is one of the best short classics, and has been retold in countless books and movies across the years. But there’s nothing quite like the original, so grab a copy and enjoy!
Buy Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland now!
23. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Another short classic children’s book that you may want to read is Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. This tale has, of course, been turned into the popular Disney movie…but if you haven’t read the original book yet, then now is the time!
In this story, the mysterious Peter Pan visits the Darling children (Wendy, John, and Michael) in their house at London. When Peter asks Wendy to go to Neverland with him, she and the boys agree to come along so Peter teaches them how to fly. This is the beginning of their journey to a strange land filled with pirates, fairies, and more adventures than they could have dreamed!
So if you loved the Peter Pan film or are just curious about this classic children’s story, this is a good short read to enjoy!
24. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is another classic book for children that is also beloved by all ages and deserves a spot on the best classic books list.
The story follows young orphan Mary Lennox who was sent to live with her Uncle in Yorkshire. Sad and lonely in a new place without the family she knows, Mary fills her time by exploring the house and grounds. One day, she stumbles across a secret garden hidden away and overgrown, and decides to return it to its former glory with the help of a kindly gardener and her friend Dickon. As she brings the garden to life, she also brings joy back into her uncle and cousin’s life and home!
Filled with mysteries, hidden doors, and secret hiding places, this is both an exciting and a heartwarming tale that will quickly become one of your favorite books!
25. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Like The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables is one of those tales that is loved by children and adults alike and needs to be part of your reading list!
Anne Shirley is an orphan who has longed her whole life to have a family to call her own, and she’s just been adopted! Finally! But there’s one slight problem—her new family, the Cuthberts, thought they were adopting a boy to help out around the farm! Will Matthew and Marilla allow this girl with the overflowing romantic dreams to stay?
This is a charming read from start to finish with lots of enjoyable characters and stories throughout the book. You, or your kids, will be so enthralled you’ll want to read it straight through without stopping!
26. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
When looking for classic kids picture books, Goodnight Moon is definitely a popular favorite that you may enjoy (at least until your kids make you read it over and over again!).
With gentle poetry, Margaret Wise Brown tells of a little bunny tucked away in bed saying goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room. One by one, the bunny says goodnight to each and every thing!
You can get this story as a board book, which makes it perfect for little readers to hold and also makes it a perfect book to give as a gift at baby showers. Between the poetry and the pictures, this sweet little classic book is sure to be enjoyed by little ones!
27. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
We’re all aware of the Disney Mary Poppins films, but did you know that Mary Poppins was first a book? So when you’re looking for kids’ classics to read, this is another you may enjoy!
The story starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks’ house. And from that moment, life at the Banks house is changed forever! She’s a most unusual nanny, but is excellent at keeping Jane, Michael, and the twins in line…and she also has strange abilities like sliding up banisters and pulling an entire armchair out of a carpetbag!
This tale is filled with magic and fun, and is sure to delight readers of all ages!
28. Curious George by H.A. Rey
Another popular classic children’s book is Curious George, which turned into a full series of books and various film and TV adaptions as well.
In the first book in the series, the story tells how the little monkey Curious George was caught in the jungle and brought to the city by a man in a yellow hat. Everything is new to George, so he’s highly interested in all the new things he sees! Though George is only curious and well-meaning, unfortunately his curiosity often gets him into trouble…
This is another fun series for young readers when you want classic books that they’ll enjoy. So pick up the first book in the series, or go ahead and grab the whole set!
29. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another children’s classic book series that may be of interest is Little House on the Prairie.
In the first book, Laura Ingalls tells how her family left their little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin to move to Kansas Territory…traveling in their covered wagon until they find the best spot to build their house. Soon, they’re planting, hunting, and trying to settle into their new home on the frontier.
This book offers an interesting glimpse into the frontier history of America, and is overall an enjoyable and unforgettable read!
Buy Little House on the Prairie now!
30. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
One more story you may enjoy from the best of classic children’s books is Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome!
In this tale, the Walker Children (John, Susan, Titty, and Roger) are visiting the Lake District and sailing a boat named “Swallow” when they meet another set of children (Nancy and Peggy Blackett) also sailing their boat (“Amazon”) on the lake. Together, they band together to hatch a plot against the Blackett’s Uncle Jim who is busy writing his memoirs and does not want to be disturbed. With two sets of children on the loose, all sorts of dangerous and crazy hijinks occur…from fireworks, to a run-in with houseboat burglars, and even the theft of Uncle Jim’s prized manuscript!
If you’re looking for a book with adventures that kids will love reading about, this is the classic book to choose! It is sure to be a hit with a wide range of ages, and you will likely love it as well!
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