The very best children’s books

When a child opens a book for the first time, it's like magic. Children's books are doors that lead to happiness, information, engagement, and empathy. Not only do they make kids imagine magical places through wardrobes, but they also make learning about the world feel less like a chore and more like a fun adventure.

We looked at best-seller lists and asked teachers, librarians, and parents to tell us which books should be on every child's shelf. These are the best children's books of all time. Our list includes winners of the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott Medal, as well as books that have been named best of many awards and "best of" lists, like "The Cat in the Hat." These books come from all over the world, from 19th-century classics to modern books that show important and important storytelling. If you're a child, you'll find novels, nonfiction books, poems, and picture books for all ages.

But don't stop there. With popular bedtime stories, nonfiction books for kids, and books for kids about diversity, you can make young people happy. A little older: Fill their shelves with must-read books, the best for teens and the best ever. People love good books, so let's start reading!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Age: Baby to 3 years

In one of the most popular classic books for kids, a caterpillar eats its way through a week's worth of food before becoming a beautiful butterfly. Tissue paper and paint were used to make the book's colorful art. There are also lots of holes for little fingers to go through. This helps kids fall in love with reading! Everything from how to count to the days of the week to how living things go through their lives is covered in the story. It has been called one of the best baby books ever written, and since 1969, it has sold 41 million copies around the world.

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

Age: Baby to 3 years 

It's never too early to get ideas. With eye-catching images that show Black women from history, this board book is sure to be a hit with a baby or toddler. Dream Big, Little One, a book that came out in 2018, features 18 inspiring pioneers, like Bessie Coleman, who "flew her airplane high." Children learn about real heroes in a way they'll enjoy. These are the best biographies that have ever been written. People who like real-life stories will want to check them out!

Snow Family by Daniel Kirk

Age: Baby to 2 years

In this rhyming story, a human boy has a lot of fun with a group of kids made of snow. There isn't anyone to watch the snow children as they run through the woods and get into all kinds of trouble. They are called "Snow Parents." They come to life just when the snow kids need them most. Children will love this picture book, which was published in 2000. It tells a story about family, safety, and the comforts of being cared for. One of the best family movies might help you and your kids feel better.

Babies Around the World by Puck

Age: Baby to 4 years

Bonjour! People: Hello there! They say hello to each other in this cute 2017 book. As time goes on, toddlers and the smallest humans will not only learn how to greet people in other languages, but they'll also learn about the world they live in and how different it is. Illustrations with bright colors show happy kids going about their daily lives. For parents, this list of the best books from around the world will help them see how different our world is.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Age: Baby to 4 years

It is a calming, repetitive poem in which a young rabbit tells all the things in the room good night. As a child, Goodnight Moon sees the world through the eyes of a very small person. The ritual of naming each object around them helps to calm children down. Since 1947, this book has been putting babies to sleep. Some estimates say it has sold more than 48 million copies around the world. The poetry-like prose is very graceful and easy to read.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Age: 1 to 3 years 

LLama Llama Red Pajamas by Anna Dewdney has been one of the best-loved preschool books for years. It was first published in 2005. He gets ready for bed with the comfort and love of his mother. A lot of kids will enjoy Dewdney's other Llama books, too. I think it's a great first book series for toddlers who are just starting to fall in love with reading. Check out these ideas for more ways to keep kids entertained. Try making these jokes for kids.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Age: 1 to 4 years

This storybook for kids was written in 2012, and it teaches kids about the alphabet as letters try to climb up a coconut tree, but then fall down again. They called it a "funny way to learn your ABCs," and the New York Public Library said it was a great book for kids. Lois Ehlert's illustrations are also fun for kids because they are bright and simple. Shop for these Christmas books for kids while you're out. They'll be fun for them to read during the holiday season.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Age: 2 to 5 years

Reading this book to the little ones in your life might make you cry with happiness. One of my favorite stories is about two boy penguins who fall in love and start a family. It was first made public in 2005. An LGBTQ book that warms the heart and opens the mind.

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Age: 2 to 5 years

When you read this story about a teddy bear who lost his button and was looking for a home, it's hard not to cry. Corduroy went to the department store at night to look for his lost button. After he found it, he learned that he can and should be loved just the way he is. Corduroy was an instant hit when it came out in 1968. It has been one of the most popular children's books ever since. You should read these books if you're like Corduroy and like to find out what happens next.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Age: 2 to 5 years

In this 1962 book, Ezra Jack Keats won the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations. The book was groundbreaking because it was the first to show how multicultural cities looked. Young readers, too, enjoy the universal adventure of exploring new snow. You should check out these memoirs if you're a parent who likes to read. They're full of wisdom, wit, and universal truths.

No, David! by David Shannon

Age: 2 to 6 years

Make sure you read this charming children's book about a mischievous youngster. You might end up rooting for the little guy who can't stay out of trouble. Using David Shannon's beautiful drawings, you can see how David, who is always told "No!", has a lot of fun. You can find a lot of follow-ups to this best-selling book from 1998, all of which feature little David's naughty behavior at the same time. Keep your kids from getting into trouble by telling them these silly knock-knock jokes.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Age: 3 to 5 years 

A Cautionary Tale is a lighthearted story about what happens when a favorite toy is lost, which many kids can relate to. It was given a Caldecott Honor in 2005 because of its unique mix of city photography and art. Sign up for a book subscription box and you'll get great books all the time.

The Story of My Open Adoption by Leah Campbell

Age: 3 to 5 years

It's complicated to think about open adoption, but Leah Campbell's story paints a picture that shows depth and warmth. This book is a good choice for families who have open adoptions and for kids of all ages. It shows how families come together in many different ways. In 2020, a child who was adopted meets his squirrel family for the first time.

One Love by Cedella Marley

Age: 3 to 5 years

"Let's get together and be happy!" You probably know the words to Bob Marley's song that you can sing along to. One Love, one of Bob Dylan's best-known songs, is turned into a beautiful picture book by his oldest daughter Cedella Marley in 2011. It is a story about love in the family and community. One that you can both read and sing to little kids is here.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

Age: 3 to 6 years

During 2019, Fry Bread will be on more than one award or "best of" list. You can read it to your kids, and you'll also agree that it's worth the praise. Kevin Noble Maillard's story about a Native American family making fry bread is very well-illustrated. The text makes you want to write poetry because it shows how food and tradition can be so much more than just food. This is a list of more important Native American books that everyone should read!

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