A great list of some of my favorite books from childhood. Thanks, LittleOneBooks.com! I have a deep and abiding love for all of your picks!
p.s. Here’s my list of Top 10: Best Old Fashioned Children’s Books.
—————
Every year new children’s books are published, each better than before. Or are they? Classics are classics for a reason. Little One Books has created a list of lesser-known favorites from back in the day. Everything old is new again.
Best Classic Picture Books for Kids
1. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1942)
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard offers a birds-eye tour of Boston as they go in search of the perfect place to raise their young. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
* This is not available at Amazon at the moment but this is a compilation of several beloved Robert McCloskey Classics. If you live in New England, it’s a classic must-have for your library. If you live in Boston, you must get your hands on Make Way for Ducklings.
2. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936)
A sweet bull who’d rather smell the flowers than pick a fight. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
3. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson(1955)
An ode to the limitless powers of a child’s imagination. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
4. Tubby the Tuba by Paul Tripp (1945)
Paul Tripp’s original song (combined with contemporary illustrations) introduces a dizzying array of instruments with a can-do attitude. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
5. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1942)
Bunny will never run so far that Mama can’t catch up for a cuddle. It’s classic comfort. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
6. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Clement Hurd (1947)
A lullaby-like farewell to the end of the day and embrace of night. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
* Can you find the mouse on every full-color spread? It’s tricky!
7. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (1939)
An expressive steam shovel proves that hard work and perseverance pay off. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
8. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kundhardt (1940)
Texture and activity team up to make this little book a literal feel-good experience. [picture book, ages baby and up]
9. Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack (1968)
A child searches for the ultimate birthday present for his Mother. Leave it to Mr. Bear to guide him in the right direction. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
10. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (1949)
Cubs and kids both get lost (and found) in this tale of ‘beary’ picking. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
p.s. Related posts:
Top 20 Classic Books for Kids #LoveThriftBooks
Best Books for Kids: Classic Children’s Books Still Beloved Now
Top 10: Classic Children’s Books Not Beloved Now (ages 3-14)
FREE eBooks: Classic Children’s Literature
Peter Rabbit eBook App combines Classic with Puzzle
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on the image of the book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
I sigh with contentment just looking at the covers.
Me too!
Fabulous list! I haven’t seen ¨Pat the Bunny¨ in so long!
My kids and I loved that entire series. We even loved the video. Our books are so tattered but we still have them all!
A great list. How can anyone argue with any of the books you have chosen. Thanks.
Thank you for kind words!