11 Classic Children’s Books That Stand the Test of Time

When Goodnight Moon was published in 1947, author Margaret Wise Brown was among the first to center a children’s story around everyday objects — from a toy house to a mouse to a bowl full of mush — rather than a fairy tale. Although the book wasn’t an immediate hit, it’s since sold more than 48 million copies, and the “great green room” and its contents are as iconic as ever. The 130-word count, detailed pictures full of surprises, and a progressively darkening room make it an ideal bedtime book. The smaller, sturdier board-book edition makes it especially easy for toddlers to pore over the cow jumping over the moon and wish the stars and air goodnight.

The Snowy Day broke ground in 1962 as one of the first full-color picture books to feature a Black protagonist, Peter, enjoying the snow in a bright red snowsuit. Author Ezra Jack Keats’ bold, collage-style illustrations and the simple delight of an old-school snow day in the city has captivated kids (and adults!) ever since. That’s why it’s the most-borrowed book of all time at the New York Public Library. There’s even a magical animated film based on the book you can watch after reading.

In print since 1963, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are has inspired countless imaginations and a live-action movie. The Caldecott Award Winner is often touted as a representation of how children process emotions, but it’s the vivid visuals and Max’s wild journey (that returns him home while supper is still hot) that keep this book in heavy rotation. Let the wild rumpus continue!

Bill Martin Jr. has written more than 300 children’s books, but Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is his most iconic. Published in 1967, the catchy rhymes are paired with stunning cut-paper illustrations by Eric Carle, whose work Martin came across in a newspaper. Designed to help toddlers connect colors with animal shapes, this classic is sure to make your toddler say “again, again!”

The unique hole-punched design of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a part of what makes it iconic — but it almost kept it from being published. No U.S. manufacturers were equipped to print the book. Eventually, the publisher found a printer in Japan willing to take on the challenge, and it was first printed in 1969. Today, the book has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. Carle’s unique art style is eye-catching for even the youngest audience, and the punched holes are the perfect size for tiny fingers. Plus, the caterpillar’s story of metamorphosis is just fun. I’ve personally read this book aloud at least 200 times, and I’m still not sick of it!

The singsong-y story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, also by Bill Martin Jr. with coauthor John Archambault and illustrator Lois Ehlert makes learning the alphabet fun for little kids — and equally fun for the grown-up readers. Originally published in 1989, this high-contrast book is still a best-seller that belongs on every toddler’s shelf. Once you’ve memorized the coconut tree rhymes, there’s even a companion song you can chant along with.

Author and illustrator Arnold Lobel published Frog and Toad Are Friends, the first book in the Frog and Toad series, in 1970. Toad is a bit of a curmudgeon while Frog is cheerful and relaxed, which adds some comic relief to simple tales about flying kites or telling a story that gives you the shivers. This anthology combines all four sets of Frog and Toad stories into one hardcover edition that’s sure to be an heirloom.

“If you are a dreamer, come in,” opens the poem "Invitation" in Shel Silverstein’s 1974 poetry collection for kids, Where the Sidewalk Ends. Equal parts profound and downright silly, the poems tackle common childhood experiences, from getting sick to taking out the garbage, but also spin fantastical tales — like a girl who eats a whale! — paired with pen-and-ink drawings. Your kids will love this collection as much as you do.

The 1978 classic Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ronald Barrett, is set in a fantastical world where breakfast, lunch, and dinner literally fall from the sky — until the falling food gets out of control. The punny text and fun visuals (think: larger-than-life waffles with oversized pats of butter) make it perfect for early readers, but younger kids will be just as entranced by the giant meatballs and street-sized ice cream.

Illustrator Richard Scarry is best-known for his pen-and-ink Busytown images, but the whimsical, realistic style he uses in I Am a Bunny by author Ole Risom is as captivating today as it was when the book was published in 1963. An adorable rabbit named Nicholas navigates the seasons, encountering flowers, plants, and insects along his way. This book’s rich detail, from butterflies to toadstools to winter wonderlands, makes it a great calm-down or bedtime read.

Don Freeman’s classic tale of friendship, first published in 1968, feels just as relevant today. Corduroy is a teddy bear who lives in a department store, waiting for someone to take him home. Then he meets a little girl named Lisa. There’s something magical about the idea of being in a store after it’s closed, and even more magical about finding a new stuffy to befriend. It’s easy to see why this one has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.