Top 10 Classic Children’s Must-Have Picture Books

There is some nostalgia to having books on our kid’s bookshelves that were once read to us as children. And it is great to see so many classic books have survived the test of time in their stories and illustrations alike. We have read many classic books, but this is a list of the few that we will have forever as keepsakes and these will always be on our list of the best books to buy as gifts for babies, kids and parents. These books are for all ages and will likely be read by our children to our grandchildren.

Classic books that belong on every kid’s bookshelf:

01. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle.

This can be read to the youngest of babies and used for early reading for older children. The repetition makes it fun to read and memorize for young ones and a great learn-to-read tool for the budding reader. Each page is full of anticipation and larger than life illustrations. This book will never grow old. Check it out on Amazon.

02. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl.

This is a great book for younger children, babies and up. It’s fun to turn the unique pages and to count along with a classic story as we watch the metamorphosis of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It’s beautiful picture book of the story of transformation and the miracles of life. Eric Carle is a classic for a reason. Check it out on Amazon.

03. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

This book beautifully illustrates the imagination of a child and their experience of emotions. This book was initially banned from libraries for over two years before people realized that children really connected with it and loved it. Max has a tantrum and he takes you through his emotional journey as he calms down and eventually returns ‘home’ or to his place of calm. This book has so many details and our children love the illustrations of the hybrid-animals. Each of us always points out our favorite ‘wild thing’ every time. Check it out on Amazon.

04. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

So if you like to cry then this book is for you. My husband will deny it, but even he gets tears in his eyes at the end of this book…every time! It has a great song repetition that teaches us the importance ofreciprocating love and teaching others the unconditional love of raising children with an honest display of the circle of life. It’s a keepsake and an easy book to read to children with sing-song repeating verse that engages the young and old. Check it out on Amazon.

05. Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi.

While this book is definitely found in the potty training section, it is a book that all my children, potty trained or not, can’t get enough of. It’s great relatable story, with engaging animal illustrations, reminds us that we are all essentially the same. Everyone eats…so everyone poops! Who doesn’t like to have a good giggle about poop? It’s a book for everyone’s bookshelf. Check it out on Amazon.

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

This is a great book for young and old. It’s rhythmic flow tells a story that’s fun to read. It’s a great way to introduce the alphabet for young ones and great repetition for those early readers as well. Who doesn’t want a great story about a coconut tree? Check it out on Amazon.

07. We Are Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

This was another book I didn’t expect to like, but when I read how the adventure and excitement seems to grow with each page and how it really captured the attention of the kids, it’s a books that I come back to over and over again. The kids always love to join in while reading this book as the anticipation grows with each page we turn and we all get louder and more excited. Check it out on Amazon.

08. Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.

While I love the rhyme in this story, it can often be a bit too long for younger listeners. But if you must own a Dr. Seuss, this one the Grinch are a must. We have bought this book many times and gave it as a customized keepsake gifts for babies and older kids. The idea being, that inscribed with a Dr. Seuss like poem, it has instructions for each of the teachers in your child’s life to write a message to them to serve as a keep sake when eventually they journey off into the world by themselves…see more about this idea here. Check it out on Amazon.

09. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.

I love this story and I love that there’s an amazing movie based on it too. And although the author Munro Leaf claims he initially just wrote it to be a funny story, and that all the other cute animals were already written about so this is why he chose a bull, Ferdinand lets our children know, that even in a world where people expect different things from you, you can always follow your own path…a story of nonconformity. And sometimes choosing to sit peacefully, smelling the flowers and getting back to simplicity of life is always the best choice for ourselves. Check it out on Amazon.

10. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

Here’s another book that was banned for a long time. Perhaps at the time the book could have been more popular, but in 1947 the book was banned for over 25 years from a large New York library simply because the librarian did not like the book. I actually overlooked this book for many years as well. But I found it at a swap meet for a dollar and regretted it not purchasing it sooner. The kids were so eager to memorize each page and they loved looking for the details in each room. I give credit to the author, because even though I knew it was a classic, I myself did not find it to be an ‘amazing story’ immediately…however, the kiddos love it, so I guess Margaret Brown was onto something and her book has thankfully stood the test of time. I know love it as much as the kids do and fortunately, I didn’t wait 25 years to allow it into my house. Check it out on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. And while any income earned with this process will likely not buy me a yacht for the Bahamas, it will hopefully, one day, pay for the coffee I’ve consumed while writing this. Also, when it comes to buying books I always encourage checking Amazon.ca first as their prices usually beat all the others, including Costco and Chapters. Happy shopping.