Best Children's Books You'll Definitely Want to Enjoy With Your Kid
Grow your kiddo's imagination with these exciting reads.
Children have more options than ever when it comes to entertainment, but books have stood the test of time. Not only do they have educational value, they also play a role in parent-child bonding. If you're looking to grow your child's library so you can read together, or purchase a book as a gift for another child, take a look at our list below for the best children's books ever—both classic and modern ones.
A longtime classic
This is the ideal book for any child starting a new chapter in his or her life.
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This classic, humorous and honest book inspires readers to follow their dreams, while acknowledging there will be ups and downs. It's the perfect book to bust out if your kid ever feels discouraged or has experienced a failure. Though it's written for children, the message resonates with readers of all ages.
Feel-good pick
When parents are done reading this with their kid, they can discuss the various ways Alexander could've prevented some of the terrible stuff that happened to him that morning.
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Every kid will relate to Alexander and his particularly horrible morning, which includes waking up with gum in his hair, and tripping over his skateboard while getting out of bed. (The working mom version: spit-up on our clothes, and a screaming toddler who doesn't want to go to daycare.) But even children who start reading this book in a bad mood will find their frowns turning upside down, since the hilarious and super-popular story will remind them that everyone experiences bad days from time to time.
A lovable bear
A sweet story of acceptance.
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Recognized as one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" and one of the "Top 100 Picture Books," Corduroy revolves around a stuffed bear who lives in a department store. When a little girl's mom discourages her from taking him home, because he's missing a button, Corduroy feels rejected—and makes it his mission to find a replacement button, so he'll one day find a home. What he doesn't realize until later is he's fine just the way he is—a message relevant to stuffed bears and children too.
A classic fairytale
A story about friendship and loving one's self.
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The velveteen rabbit knows that toys get a chance to be real when loved by their owners, but he thinks his chances are slim since he's an old-fashioned toy compared to the other toys in his owner's collection. Though he develops a bond with his owner, the little boy ends up with scarlet fever—and a doctor orders his family to destroy some of his possessions, including the velveteen rabbit. However, a fairy saves him and turns him real. It looks like his owner loved him and valued him much more than he knew.
The power of imagination
In the book The Art of Maurice Sendak, the author said the book is about "how children master various feelings—danger, boredom, fear, frustration, jealousy—and manage to come to grips with the realities of their lives."
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When Max starts trouble at home wearing his wolf suit, he gets sent to bed without supper. That's when things get weird. His room transforms into a forest, where beasts known as "Wild Things" live, and where he continues to wreak havoc. Even though he ends up getting along with the creatures, who crown him King, something leads him back home—the reality that he's just a regular boy who misses his mom. This beloved classic tackles children's anger, the power of imagination and parental love.
Amazing illustrations
This book is so charming, you and your kiddo will remember Beekle for years to come.
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Beekle lives on an island far away, where unimaginary friends are born—but they must wait to be selected by a child first. When he continually gets overlooked by kids, he decides to enter the real world and find a child to match with instead, in this Caldecott Medal-winning read and New York Times bestseller from award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat.
A dreamy lighthouse
It would be hard for a kid not to become obsessed with lighthouses after reading this.
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Another Caldecott-medal winner, this book is the perfect seaside escape. The text describes the things that go on outside and inside a lighthouse, and the illustrations are breathtaking.
A greater understanding
A book about learning your roots, and being proud of the story you have to tell.
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Alma has six names—Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela. Initially displeased with having so many, she finds out the story behind each name from her dad—and comes to realize how fitting her name is after all. If your kiddo is unhappy with her name, let her read this.
Magical tale
A sweet story for youngsters who still believe in Santa.
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If there's one book to buy for kids for Christmas, let it be this memorable, magical tale about a little boy who ends up boarding a train one night to the North Pole, with other kids who are still in their pajamas. At their destination, they encounter elves and meet St. Nick in person, who'll select one child from the group to give the first gift of Christmas.
A valuable lesson
A book for teaching tolerance.
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This book, presented by Last Week Tonight by John Oliver, focuses on two male bunnies who fall in love—and sends a message about tolerance regarding people who are different from you.
A great gift
You never know what'll happen when you take a chance.
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This New York Times bestseller is actually the last installment of the three-book What Do You Do With picture book series—the first two are What Do You Do with an Idea? and What Do You Do with a Problem? We love this one because it teaches kids not to be afraid when opportunities emerge. Because of its message, it makes a great gift for kids who are graduating from kindergarten.
An interactive journey
The pop-ups easily, neatly collapse when it's time to turn the page.
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The classic Lewis Carroll tale about a young girl falling down a rabbit hole and arriving at Wonderland is magical on its own, but the pop-ups in this colorful adaptation take the experience to another level, and make it especially enjoyable for kiddos. A more interactive way to follow Alice through her many adventures, as she encounters the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter.
