The Best Children's Books of All Time

December 16, 2016
HarperCollins
In the likes of Harry Potter and Katniss Everdeen, they’ve produced characters and conceits that have become the currency of our pop-culture discourse—and inspired some of our best writers to contribute to the genre. To honor the best books for young adults and children, TIME compiled this survey in consultation with respected peers such as U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt, children’s-book historian Leonard Marcus, the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, the Young Readers Center at the Library of Congress, the Every Child a Reader literacy foundation and 10 independent booksellers. With their help, we’ve created two all-time lists of classics: 100 Best Young-Adult Books and 100 Best Children’s Books. Vote for your favorite in the poll below.
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1 of 30

Where the Wild Things Are

HarperCollins

By Maurice SendakThe adventure that has inspired generations of children to let out their inner monsters, showing how imagination allows for an escape from life’s doldrums. It’s also a moving testament to family love: when young Max returns from his reverie, his mother has saved him a hot dinner.

BUY IT: $7.89; amazon.com

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2 of 30

The Snowy Day

Puffin

By Ezra Jack KeatsThe journey of Peter through a snowbound New York City made for a milestone: as a successful children’s story focused on a black protagonist, it broke down barriers many white editors may have never noticed. But Keats’ book is memorable too for the sheer beauty of its collage illustrations.

BUY IT: $7.99; amazon.com

3 of 30

Goodnight Moon

HarperCollins

By Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Clement HurdSomewhere a child is being put to sleep right now to Brown’s soothing, repetitive cadences. While the lines may be etched in every parent’s memory, Hurd’s illustrations, with their quirky hidden jokes, provide amusement on the thousandth reading.

BUY IT: $5.99; amazon.com

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4 of 30

Blueberries for Sal

Viking

By Robert McCloskeyThe block-printed illustrations show just how similar families of different species can be, as child Sal and a baby bear covet Maine blueberries on a berry hunt with their respective mothers. It’s an instructive read for any kid who’s ever felt a bit like a wild animal, or parents who’ve ever felt like they’re raising one.

BUY IT: $10.49; amazon.com

5 of 30

Little Bear (series)

HarperTrophy

By Else Holmelund Minarek, illustrations by Maurice SendakMinarik wrote these stories, which convey a young cub’s yearning for his absent father, but it’s Sendak’s illustrations that catch the eye and allow for endless imaginings of life among woodland critters.

BUY IT: $9.08; amazon.com

6 of 30

Owl Moon

Philomel Books

By Jane Yolen, illustrations by John SchoenherrMany young bird watchers likely owe their passion to this story of a father-daughter trip to find the elusive great horned owl takes flight thanks to Schoenherr’s evocative woods-at-night illustrations.

BUY IT: $13.88; amazon.com

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7 of 30

The Giving Tree

Harper & Row

By Shel SilversteinIt’s hard to imagine a story more poignant than the tale of a tree that gives its life for a boy turned self-centered young man. It’s been interpreted along environmentalist and religious lines, but all can agree on the beauty of its underlying theme of generosity.

BUY IT: $10.39; amazon.com

8 of 30

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Puffin

By Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Lane SmithThis ironic, witty book, which revises the story of the pigs as an exculpatory memoir by the wolf—who claims he’s not so big and bad at all!—is a welcome corrective to more saccharine tales. It also introduces young readers to the notion of dueling perspectives.

BUY IT: $7.90; amazon.com

9 of 30

Tuesday

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

By David WiesnerWho needs text? Not this illustrator, who also “wrote” the very few words that make up his tale. His stunning, propulsive watercolors show flying frogs on a surreal adventure. Reading may be fundamental, but here the pictures do almost all the talking.

BUY IT: $7.90; amazon.com

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10 of 30

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Harper & Row

By Shel SilversteinSilverstein wasn’t just good at tales of leafy self-sacrifice. His loopy poems have been speaking to kids’ concerns and sparking their imaginations for decades. Any child who’s ever fantasized about playing “hug o’ war” instead of tug-of-war will find a kindred spirit in these pages.

BUY IT: $11.19; amazon.com

11 of 30

Harold and the Purple Crayon

HarperCollins

By Crockett JohnsonA creative boy crafts entire worlds of his own devising, using only his trusty crayon.

BUY IT: $5.99; amazon.com

12 of 30

Make Way for Ducklings

Viking

By Robert McCloskeyA loving mother duck ferries her eight young ones through Boston.

BUY IT: $10.49; amazon.com

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13 of 30

Olivia

Atheneum Books

By Ian FalconerMinimalist charcoal illustrations enrich the quietly funny narrative about a confident little pig.

BUY IT: $12.34; amazon.com

14 of 30

Madeline (series)

Viking

By Ludwig BemelmansA spunky French girl navigates boarding school and the removal of her appendix with confidence and poise.

BUY IT: $25.31; amazon.com

15 of 30

Anno's Journey

Puffin

By Mitsumasa Anno This visual feast doesn't need a single word to showcase the beauty of northern Europe.

BUY IT: $7.90; amazon.com

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16 of 30

Frog and Toad (series)

HarperCollins

By Arnold LobelTwo inseperable best friends keep each other company during all their adventures.

BUY IT: $6.79; amazon.com

17 of 30

Click, Clack, Moo

Simon & Schuster

By Doreen Cronin, illustrations by Betsy LewinThis story about farm animals sticking up for their rights wryly reveals the power of peaceful protest.

BUY IT: $8.55; amazon.com

18 of 30

The Story of Ferdinand

Grosset & Dunlap

By Munro Leaf, illustrations by Robert LawsonContrary to the stereotype of his species, Ferdinand is a calm, peaceful bull who likes to relax under the cork tree.

BUY IT: $3.99; amazon.com

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19 of 30

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Hyperion Press

By Mo WilliamsOne stubborn pigeon refuses to give up on his bird-brained dream of driving a vehicle.

BUY IT: $10.65; amazon.com

20 of 30

The Lorax

Random House

By Dr. SeussSeuss takes on serious subject matter without compromising his playful style in this environmentalist fable.

BUY IT: $9.60; amazon.com

21 of 30

Corduroy

Puffin

By Don FreemanIn the middle of the night, a toy bear comes to life and hops off the shelf to replace his missing button.

BUY IT: $5.99; amazon.com

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22 of 30

I Want My Hat Back

Candlewick Press

By Jon KlassenThe witty account of a bear seeking out his lost hat; the illustrations are studded with subtle clues.

BUY IT: $10.63; amazon.com

23 of 30

Miss Rumphius

Puffin

By Barbara CooneyThe true story of a woman who spread flower seeds everywhere she went, filling the coast of Maine with blossom.

BUY IT: $7.99; amazon.com

24 of 30

Brave Irene

Square Fish

By William SteigA dressmaker's daughter bravely ventures into a snowstorm to deliver the duchess her new gown in time for the ball.

BUY IT: $5.64; amazon.com

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25 of 30

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Atheneum Books

By Judith Viorst, illustrations by Ray CruzAlexander's nonstop misfortunes pile up comically over the course of one outrageous day.

BUY IT: $5.59; amazon.com

26 of 30

The Cat in the Hat

Random House

By Dr. SeussA big cat surprises Dick and Sally, transforming their dreary day at home into a wild adventure.

BUY IT: $6.19; amazon.com

27 of 30

Press Here

Chronicle Books

By Herve TulletAn innovative, interactive work that gets kids to play with the physical form of the book.

BUY IT: $9.09; amazon.com

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28 of 30

The Day the Crayons Quit

Philomel

By Drew Daywalt, illustrations by Oliver JeffersAll the crayons in Duncan's box go on strike, citing all kinds of hilarious grievances.

BUY IT: $10.79; amazon.com

29 of 30

Whistle for Willie

Puffin

By Ezra Jack KeatsRichly colorful illustrations accompany this tale about a boy learning to whistle.

BUY IT: $5.69; amazon.com

30 of 30

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

By Chris Van AllsburgAn elegant, eerie story about an enchanted garden where it is not easy to separate what's real from what isn't.

BUY IT: $14.06; amazon.com

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