The Best Children's Books of All Time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUY IT: $5.99; amazon.com

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

BUY IT: $10.49; amazon.com

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

BUY IT: $12.34; amazon.com

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

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

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

BUY IT: $6.79; amazon.com

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

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

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

BUY IT: $10.65; amazon.com

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

BUY IT: $9.60; amazon.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUY IT: $9.09; amazon.com

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

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

BUY IT: $5.69; amazon.com

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