- 1. Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne
- 2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- 3. The Mitten by Jan Brett
- 4. Mrs. Pepperpot Stories by Alf Proysen
- 5. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- 6. Press Here by Hervé Tullet
- 7. Like Father, Like Son by James Patterson
- 8. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
- 9. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
- 10. The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Books are kids’ best friends. They can develop their vocabulary, stimulate creativity and curiosity, and open their minds to new things.
Today, children’s books are not only for children anymore. Everyone can enjoy these books, from a 4th grader to a teenager.
Parents can go online, and they will find several free books for kids that the entire family can read together. However, in the vast pool of popular children’s books and fairy tales, finding the best ones for your child is hard.
So, we have collated the best children’s books that can help your child grow emotionally and mentally.
Best 20 Children’s Books of All Times
1. Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne
Winnie-The-Pooh is the perfect book to bring delight into your kid’s life. The chuckling bear meandering through the hundred-acre wood farm with his friends – Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet can make anyone smile. No matter your age, Winnie-The-Pooh’s character will make you fall in love with him.
Moral: Friends are important. With good friends, nothing in life ever becomes morbid.
Age: 4-7 years
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Try for free2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
This book walks kids through different generations of children and their inner monsters. The book shows how imagination can help escape from life’s doldrums. The book also talks about testament and family love and how young Max’s mother saves him a hot dinner when he returns from reverie.
Moral: Never judge someone by their appearance.
Age: 4-10 years
Related Reading: Learning Styles That Make Learning Easy-Peasy For Kids
3. The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Mitten is a recreation of a popular Ukrainian folktale. This book will show kids the importance of a small comfort on a cold winter day. The storyline revolves around a mitten and how it provides comfort to different creatures.
One day, when Nichi drops a mitten while walking in the woods, a mole crawls into it to find warmth. Afterward, a rabbit and a brown bear found refuge in the mitten on a cold winter.
Moral: Value things that life gives you, as some people don’t even have the bare minimum necessities to lead a comfortable life.
Age: 3-12 years
4. Mrs. Pepperpot Stories by Alf Proysen
If you are looking for a popular children’s book from childhood to pass on to your kids, Mrs. Pepperpot is the perfect fit.
Mrs. Pepperpot Stories has been enchanting children for over 60 years and still holds the same charm. The stories have changed significantly with the passing generations, so you can read this book with your kids and tell your time’s version to them.
Moral: Every Mrs. Pepperpot’s story has a different underlying message. But overall, the series tells children how to cope with tricky situations.
Age: 5-15 years
5. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Want to introduce your teenager to the journey of a black protagonist? The book “ The Snowy Day” illustrates Peter’s journey through a snowbound New York City.
If you want your kids to appreciate diversity, make sure they read this masterpiece by Jack Keats.
Moral: One should always appreciate diversity.
Age: 3-10 years
6. Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Related Reading: Best Classic Fairy Tales For Your Kids’ Early Development
Press Here is a great book to ignite your toddler’s imagination. As its description says, press the yellow dot on the cover, follow the instructions, and wait for the magic to unfold.
In the story, multiple dots imply that expanding your vision can make you realize that imagination has no limits. This popular children’s book will help your child broaden their senses.
Moral: Imagination is our greatest gift. If we can imagine it, we can achieve it.
Age: 3-6 years
7. Like Father, Like Son by James Patterson
While most children’s books contain dinosaurs and fantasies, this book differs.
It is a breath of fresh air with a gripping detective story. This book is a sequel to the popular James Patterson’s best-selling mystery series. Your teenager will enjoy reading Ali solving a crime while his father, Alex warns him to stay away from the investigation.
Moral: Kids should always obey their parents as parents want the best for their kids.
Age: 8-16 years
8. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Black Beauty might be an old novel, but it is timeless and loaded with life lessons.
Walking through the journey of a black horse, your child will learn many valuable lessons on the way. This is a good book for teens to understand life from the eyes of a carefree horse to a retired old mare.
Moral: One should always grow up to be gentle and good.
Age: 11-16 years
9. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
This book will show kids how all families are similar despite their differences.
It is the story of a child, Sal, and a baby bear, Maine, who are on a blueberry hunt with their mothers. It is also an intrusive read for a kid who feels like a rebel or parents who feel like they are raising a rebel.
Moral: We’re all the same, regardless of color, race, ethnicity or geography.
Age: 3-12 years
10. The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince is a timeless fable that narrates the beauty of life and relationships.
The journey of a young prince in space will give many life lessons to your child. This children’s book unfolds several precious and existential lessons, such as love being important in life and finding beauty in things being essential.
Moral: Love always helps us see the goodness in other people.
Age: 5-12 years
11. Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton is a popular American cartoonist, so her whimsical creation will easily hold your toddler’s attention.
In this book, the illustrator tells the story of a mama dog telling her puppies how much she loves them. It’s a beautiful love letter from a parent to a child that you must read to your little person.
Moral: Mothers have an undying love for their children, which is selfless and timeless.
Age: 3-10 years
12. The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood
This is a perfect nap-time story for kids. The rhyming narrative, cute illustrations, and details of slumber happenings will help them sleep peacefully. Also, a dog, cat, mouse, and flea in the story will definitely bring a big smile to your toddler’s face.
Moral: It’s important to share human experiences and not miss the beauty of life by indulging in too many activities at once.
Age: 2-5 years
13. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
This children’s book will help you nurture a little bird watcher.
The passionate story of a father-daughter duo taking a trip to find the elusive great horned owl will enchant your kids. Also, for dads, it is a great illustration to read with their darling daughters.
Moral: The story shows kids the importance of practicing self-control.
Age: 5-12 years
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14. My Truck Is Stuck! by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk
This story is about a truck that hits a pothole and gets stuck there. The people passing by then begin to help the truck. If your teenager loves automobiles, they will establish an instant connection with this beautiful Daniel Kirk creation.
Moral: Kindness is a great virtue, and helping others is an act of kindness.
Age: 7-12 years
15. Grimms’ Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm
Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a reflection of different generations and their childhood. It is a Pandora’s box of princesses, magic, and witches. The Brothers Grimm fairy tales contain several short stories with different messages.
You can get the whole Grimms’ Fairy Tales collection online or get each story separately for your child.
Moral: Every Grimm story has different morals, but the main message is that goodness always wins.
Age: 5-13 years
16. Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
If your toddler fears monsters, this children’s book will show them how monsters aren’t scary. Once your kid sees nothing to be afraid of the Big Green Monster, they won’t call you in the middle of the night complaining that there’s a monster under their bed.
Moral: Monsters aren’t scary and evil. This book mainly helps kids overcome bedtime frights.
Age: 3-8 years
17. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Surely, there’s no better children’s book than The Giving Tree to emphasize the importance of generosity. It is the story of a tree that gives its life to save a boy. But in the end, the boy grows into a self-centered man who never gives anything.
Moral: This book shows kids the difference between being selfish and giving unconditionally the good and bad sides of both.
Age: 5-12 years
18. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
For your little ones, this witty book is a great way to learn how they should not trust anyone. It is a tale of three pigs and a big bad wolf. The story helps children understand that they should not trust anyone based on their appearance and that hard work always pays off.
Moral: Dedication is important and is a direct path to fulfilling life.
Age: 4-10 years
19. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
This is a popular children’s book for preschoolers. It is a story of a pigeon who wants to drive the bus, but it is forbidden for pigeons to drive it. So, how the pigeon manages to get behind the wheel is an inspirational tale for kids.
This story will help your kids understand they shouldn’t demand unnecessary or forbidden things.
Moral: The story has different morals, including responsibility, blame, persuasion, and punishment.
Age: 3-10 years
20. The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
This story will show your kids an imaginary tour of how they will act if unexpected guests like a Tiger knock at the doorsteps.
In this story, a young girl and her mother receive an unexpected house guest – the Tiger. So, they invite him for tea and watch him with fascination as he moves into their home.
Moral: Always be welcoming and friendly towards unexpected guests in your home.
Age: 4-10 years
Children’s Books Make Childhood a Whole Lot Better!
No matter your child’s age, reading books can bring warmth and happiness to their lives. Reading under the blanket with a torch or cuddling up together to read a book are a few of the most cherished childhood memories.
Children’s books also enhance literacy skills and spark creativity among children.
Therefore, at SplashLearn, we bind our learning games with a storyline, characters, and different hurdles. This helps students to connect better and understand complex math problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are stories beneficial for children?
Reading stories can help kids learn new words, sounds, and languages. For a kid’s early development, children’s books that provide value are vital. These books can help to spark kids’ imagination and curiosity.
How do stories help children learn?
A good story can create a sense of connection and build trust. Kids establish a connection with the characters. Thus, when they read their favorite story characters giving an important life lesson, they will definitely retain that information.
What can stories teach children?
The stories can unfold many important life lessons ahead of kids. Good books can help to develop an understanding and appreciation towards other cultures and people. Also, books always help children instill a positive attitude in themselves that can help them in the future when they face hardships.
How can teachers use children's books in the classroom
Children’s books are great tools for teachers to transmit academic knowledge in an emotional and effective manner. Teachers can use metaphors from popular children’s books to explain difficult concepts in class. Further, they can create mental images of stories while teaching young kids.
Can storytelling humanise learning?
Yes, storytelling can humanize the learning process. Further, it can also make emotional connections with the students. Many studies have concluded that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts.
