People from Time Out, the staff at London's best children's book stores, and a lot of modern authors and illustrators were asked to name the ten best children's books they've read. Charlie Higson, Sophie Kinsella, Terry Deary, Cressida Cowell, Chris Riddell, and Cressida Cowell and Chris Riddell are just a few of the authors and artists who took the time to nominate their favorite books.

It's important to note that some writers are so prolific that their votes were split across all of their works. People like Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo didn't make it into our top 100. However, we're very happy with our list of the best children's books, and we hope it will help you and your family find new books to read.

The best children's books

Aren’t You Lucky?

By Catherine Anholt

A pregnant mother tells her child about all the good things that will happen when she has a baby brother or sister (ie not the tantrums or the sharing). People can learn about your bump from picture books. 'There's a House in My Mommy' by Giles Andreae is also very good.

Under-fives are the best.

It's all about cute baby talk.

I Will Not Ever Eat a Tomato

By Lauren Child

This is a great book for people who are picky eaters because it has a lot of weird ideas and wry humor. When Charlie's sister doesn't want to do what he wants her to, he has to talk her into it. Lola won't eat her tea until Charlie tells her that the carrots are orange twiglets from Jupiter and the peas are greendrops from Greenland, which are both from Jupiter.

Under-fives are the best.

A quick summary: Siblings joking at teatime.

The Parent Agency

By David Baddiel

Disgruntled It would be nice for Barry Bennett to have parents who were better than his parents are now (fun ones who let him do what he wants). Barry's life is turned upside down when he gets what he wants and ends up in a world where kids can choose their parents. Funny, smart, and a little bit crazy.

Ages 7–10 are the best.

It's all about pottiness in other worlds.

Lionboy

By Zizou Corder

Charlie Ashanti can speak "cat" because he accidentally mixed blood with a leopard cub and now he can. During his search for his parents, who have mysteriously gone missing, he meets a group of lions who help him look for them. First, this is the first book in a well-written and exciting trilogy.

Ages 10–13 are the best.

All in all, it's a very hypnotic thriller

There Are Cats in This Book

By Viviane Schwarz

You can meet three friendly and a little bit feisty cats in this sweet and simple lift-the-flap book by Viviane Schwarz. As we go on a mild feline adventure before going to bed, the pages are clever and funny. 'There Are NO Cats in This Book' and 'Adventures of a Nose' are also good books to read.

For ages 1–4.

It's all about having fun with furry things.

So Much!

By Trish Cooke, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

They can enjoy the beautiful pictures and lilting words of a good picturebook even when they are very young. This one is an example of a good one. In the beginning, there are hugs and kisses all over the place because everyone is so in love with the new baby. A book with a lot of color and comfort.

Ages 0–3 are the best.

Baby books are so much fun.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

By Alan Garner

This fantasy story, which took place in the 1960s, is one of the best. Modern and medieval worlds meet. Meet a wizard who shows them a cave below ground where 140 knights are asleep in enchanted sleep. Their job is to help the wizard find the lost, magical Weirdstone that keeps the knights safe from harm.

Ages 11 and up are the best.

It is time-traveling magic.

The Iron Man

By Ted Hughes

There is a mysterious giant that scares people all over the land, but the people can't kill it. However, when the world is in danger from a terrible monster, the metal beast is their protector. A story about acceptance written by Hughes is good for kids who are learning to read on their own.

Ages 6–8 are the best.

All in all, modern fables are short stories that aren't very long.

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins

Is it possible that you forgot that the movie series started out as a series of books? When Katniss Everdeen, 16, is forced to compete in a TV game show in which people fight to the death, this is the story that the trilogy tells us about. She has to fight to the death. Smartly written, this futuristic thriller is a great way to get teens to read again.

Best for:Age 13 and up

In a nutshell, this is a future thriller.

Finding Audrey

By Sophie Kinsella

Next, Kinsella has written a series of books for adults called "Shopaholic." "Finding Audrey" is her first book for teens. It's set in the real world, but there's just enough glam fun to make 13-plus-year-olds feel like they're going somewhere else.

Best for:Age 13 and up

Smart teen love in a nutshell:

Here Comes Charlie Moon

By Shirley Hughes

Besides, who doesn't want an aunt who owns a joke shop at the beach? Yes, even if he has to deal with his cousin's clever pants. However, when Charlie gets caught up in a missing jewelry case, his cousin might be a good friend to help him get out of the mess.

6–8-year-olds are the best

A mystery by the sea

Guess How Much I Love You

By Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

A book can bring a sense of calm to a crazy family at any time. So, it's no surprise that this book, with its simple, comforting conversation between a parent and child rabbit and its soothing watercolor illustrations, is a classic. It has sold more than 28 million copies.

Ages 0–3 are the best.

In a nutshell, big feelings

The Jungle Book

By Rudyard Kipling

For his daughter, who died at age six, Kipling wrote funny stories about animals in the Indian jungle. Over a hundred years ago, they were filled with wacky-named animals and Mowgli, a boy who was raised by wolves. They were adopted by the Scouts long before Disney.

Ages 9–12 are the best.

There are a lot of great things you can learn from wild wisdoms.

The Enormous Crocodile

By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

Dahl doesn't hold back when it comes to this story, even though it's for young people. This Crocodile is looking for a juicy child or two to eat. Fear not, though. As the toothy terror goes about his meat-eating business, there's a comic twist in the story that makes it even better. Silly and clever.

For ages 4–7.

It's all about quick laughs

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