There is no such thing as a child who doesn’t like reading; you only need to hand them the right kind of book to fire up their reading habits. The following 10 books are those that have thrilled generations of children and no child should have the misfortune of growing up without reading them. 
1. goodnight moon by margaret brown (1947)
You are reading: Best children’s books of all time
age range: 0-3 years
Included in School Library Journal’s list of the ‘100 Best Picture Books’ of all time in 2012 and one of Teachers’ 100 Best Children’s Books by the National Education Association, Goodnight Moon is an illustrated book A simple but adorable children’s book that has been well-loved by children as a bedtime story. in it, a personified bunny ritually goes through a process of saying goodnight to everything he sees from his room. “goodnight moon . . . goodnight air. goodnight noises everywhere.”
click to buy: goodnight moon ($9)
2. the very hungry caterpillar by eric carle (1969)
age range: 0-4 years
One of the best children’s classics of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar pictographically depicts the evolution of the caterpillar eating its way through a variety of foods to eventually become a beautiful butterfly. According to Amazon, a copy of this children’s book is sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. Educating children about the days of the week, types of food, and the life cycle of a butterfly, Carle’s book has also been endorsed by the Royal Etymological Society.
Click to Buy: The Very Hungry Caterpillar ($7) 
3. where the wild things are by maurice sendak (1963)
age range: 2-6 years
The most distinguished American illustrated children’s book of 1963, where wild creatures win the Caldecott medal and is a delight for children and adults. The story revolves around a boy named John Max who, dressed in his wolf costume, goes to his room and sails to an unknown island where he encounters “wild things” or creatures.
click to shop: where the wild stuff is ($6)
See Also: Jesus is Born – Printable Christmas Emergent Reader
4. the cat in the hat by dr. seuss (1957)
age range: 3-8 years old
Regarded as one of the best-selling children’s books of all time and adapted for animation and film, Theodor Geisel wrote and illustrated The Cat in the Hat under the pseudonym Dr. seuss this children’s story revolves around an anthropomorphic cat that shows up at sally’s house, makes a mess while she and her brother are entertaining and cleans up with the help of their friends, thing 1 and thing 2 just before the Sally’s mom comes home.
Click to Buy: The Cat in the Hat ($7.27) 
5. charlotte’s web by e. b. white (1952)
age range: 8-11
inspirational animations, live-action movies, direct-to-video sequels, and a video game, e.g. b. Charlotte White’s Spider’s Web is considered a classic of English children’s literature and one of the best-selling paperbacks of all time. The story is about a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte; As the farmer is about to slaughter Wilbur, Charlotte uses her web-creating abilities to create words worthy of praise for Wilbur in order to save him from the slaughter.
click to buy: charlotte’s web ($6)
6. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (1955)
age range: 3-7 years old
How wonderful would it be if we could just draw the world as we understand it? crockett johnson explores this possibility in harold and the purple crayon, where an inquisitive four-year-old boy owns a purple crayon with which he creates the world by drawing it. he through this power he goes on many adventures and when he is sleepy he simply draws a bed and falls asleep on it. This is Johnson’s most popular book that has also inspired many adaptations.
click to buy: harold and the purple crayon ($7)
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)
age range: 8-10 years old
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Written by famous British author, Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a two-part series about a destitute but very selfless and loving boy named Charlie. Both his grandparents, his parents and he live in a dilapidated house and have little for themselves. Charlie secretly loves the chocolate factory owned by chocolatier Willy Wonka and hopes to see the inside of it one day… to his surprise, Charlie ends up becoming the heir to the wonka factory. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is considered one of those books that every child must have read at least once in their childhood. Famous author J.K. Rowling also listed it as one of her top ten books when she was a child. the books won much praise and have also been adapted into movies.
click to buy: charlie and the chocolate factory ($5)
8. little women by louis may alcott (1880)
age range: 9-12 years old
Suitable for children and adults, the all-time classic Little Women is hard to classify into one genre. it has been said to involve romance, an adventure, a family and largely female-oriented drama depicting themes such as domestic life, love and giving each character a distinct female identity of their own. It has been adapted several times to the cinema and also to Japanese anime. the story revolves around four sisters and their journey from girls to women. Many say that the plot is loosely based on Alcott’s own life and her sisters.
click to shop: little women ($12)
9. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. k. rowling (1997)
age range: 8-14 years old
the first of the seven part series written by j. k. rowling is not just a novel, but a legacy that will live on for many years to come. Harry Potter has been adapted into blockbuster films, won numerous British and American awards, and made the New York Times bestseller list. The plot involves the boy himself, Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard and begins his life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
click to buy: harry potter and the philosopher’s stone ($7.50)
10. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)
age range: 8-12 years old
Set in a fictional land called Narnia with talking animals and mythical creatures and their ruler, the White Witch who ruled for 100 years, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first of a seven part series from c. yes lewis where four children, the youngest of whom can visit narnia through her wardrobe. It has been included in time magazine’s ‘100 novels of all time’ and ranks ninth in bbc’s ‘the big read’.
click to buy: the chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe ($9)
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