There are some things that just get better with age- a cast iron pan, a pair of jeans, and balsamic vinegar. Then, there are the things that can stand the test of time. A great children’s book falls into this category. It’s just as good (if not better) as it was when it was published 25, 45, or 75 years ago. Today we are sharing the oldies but goodies, the star releases that still shine years later. It’s our list of classic books for kids!
Classic Books for Kids
Full Disclsoure: This post contains affiliate links.
Here is a list of classic books full of life lessons.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”498″ identifier=”0395199727″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/618pnqEoNNL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]
You can’t help but love the two hippos in [easyazon_link identifier=”0395199727″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]George and Martha[/easyazon_link] by James Marshall. They are best friends and remind me a lot of the modern day friends [easyazon_link identifier=”1423106865″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Elephant & Piggie[/easyazon_link].
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”044845694X” locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51gQ1zSyLL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”044845694X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Story of Ferdinand[/easyazon_link] by Munro Leaf reminds us to be who we are even if it doesn’t match the expectations of others.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1101997958″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/61nNi0xILL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”378″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”1101997958″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Make Way for Ducklings[/easyazon_link] by Robert McCloskey is celebrating 75 years in print. The Mallards welcome their eight ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack into the world.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1616894288″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/61oqQsxJYL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”365″]
We recently discovered the rereleased, [easyazon_link identifier=”1616894288″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Brownstone[/easyazon_link] by Paula Scher. It’s a fun book and encourages problem-solving as we try to figure out where each animal should live in the brownstone so that all the occupants are happy.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0064431436″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/61YmUXJGlL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”400″]
“Caps for sale. Caps for sale. Fifty cents a cap.” The classic [easyazon_link identifier=”0064431436″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Caps for Sale[/easyazon_link] by Esphyr Slobodkina is the story of a peddler who encounters a group of mischievous monkeys.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”465″ identifier=”0395259398″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51mfDTowsL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]
I picked [easyazon_link identifier=”0395259398″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel[/easyazon_link] by Virginia Lee Burton, but [easyazon_link identifier=”0395185629″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Katy and the Big Snow[/easyazon_link] or [easyazon_link identifier=”039525938X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Little House[/easyazon_link] by the same author would be great classic picks too. Mike Mulligan and his trusty steam shovel prove that hard work and a little creativity can solve a problem.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”006443009X” locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51gJVlt2BenL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”367″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”006443009X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Harry the Dirty Dog[/easyazon_link] by Gene Zion has been a bedtime read in our house on many nights. Harry does a little exploring and becomes very filthy on his adventures. When he returns home, his human family doesn’t even recognize him. Listen to Betty White read the story on Storyline Online.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0064434516″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51VkHrIJANL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”386″]
I have vivid memories of enjoying [easyazon_link identifier=”0064434516″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Bedtime for Frances[/easyazon_link] by Russell Hoban when I was a child.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”474″ identifier=”B00BXU52Q8″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51l1FtCsKsL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”475″]
Here is another blast from my past. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00BXU52Q8″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Sweet Smells of Christmas[/easyazon_link]was another childhood favorite of mine. What little one from the 70’s and 80’s didn’t like scratch-and-sniff stickers? The hot chocolate scratch-and-sniff page was my favorite!
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0064430227″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/510ASFs2BJ3L.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”400″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”0064430227″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Harold and the Purple Crayon[/easyazon_link] by Crockett Johnson is full of imagination. A little boy creates his adventure with the help of a big purple crayon.
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”412″ identifier=”0590445103″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/51iKfDdWmLL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”0590445103″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Big Orange Splo[/easyazon_link]t by D. Manus Pinkwater is one of my son’s favorites. I love that it encourages individuality.
This list could go on and on with [easyazon_link identifier=”0547391005″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Curious George[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”0805047905″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Brown Bear, Brown Bear[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”0689815816″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re Going on a Bear Hunt[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”0399226907″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Very Hungry Caterpillar[/easyazon_link]… What classic book do you think needs to be shared with future generations? Share your favorites #ReadKidsClassics.
Related Posts
Tina at Mommynificent says
We love so many of these! Thank you for being a part of Booknificent Thursday this week.
Tina
Crystal Marcos says
You have my husband’s favorite book as a child on the list, “The Story of Ferdinand” and one of my favorites, “Bedtime for Francis”. Although, I really loved “Bread and Jam” more because it had food in it. =) We had to them for our kids.
Renee Wilson says
Great list! I would add Blueberries for Sal, Billly & Blaze series, James Herriot’s Treasury for Children, and The Ox-Cart Man.
Sandy says
I would add to your list .the giving tree…
Anna says
I absolutely LOVE George and Martha and most of these books. I see a couple we’ve never seen (The Brown Stone and The Big Orange Splot). Thanks – we’ll have to check those out!