Get transported into the bygone era with these beautiful children’s classic books. The stories are as relevant even today. The literature flows easily and continues to enthrall 2-16-year-olds. The classic picture books are perfect for a bedtime read-aloud. Beginner reader books are simple yet engaging for 6-year-olds to get introduced to the world of classic reading. Get ready to start a lifelong admiration for classics with these middle-grader books.
You can find them in your local library or nearby bookstores. If unavailable locally, you can click on the links or images below to purchase the special editions from Amazon.
25 Best Classic Children’s Books For All Ages
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Picture Books
Where the Wild Things Are
Max is throwing a tantrum. So his mother puts him to bed. In his dream, Max travels to an Island and becomes the king of the place. A beautiful story reminding generations of kids about parental love. The pictures continue to mesmerize generations of kids.
Read For: Award-winning bedtime picture book | 3-8 years
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Generations of young kids have gone to bed listening to Harold and his imaginative journey. A small Harold steps out with only a purple crayon on a moonlit night. Travel with him through the woods, seas, meet dragons. A charming story with an adorable ending.
Read For: Classic bedtime story for kids | 4-8 years
Are You My Mother?
Read to your toddler the tale of a newborn bird who is searching for its mother. As the mother goes out for food, the egg hatches. Out, comes a baby bird. All eager to find its mother, it takes flight and meets many other animals on the way. This classic tale never gets old.
Read For: Classic tale celebrating timeless mother-child bond | 3-7 years
Polar Express
This classic holiday story makes for a good Christmas family read-aloud. Take a ride on the Polar Express to the north pole along with a small boy. And meet Santa! The illustrations are enchanting.
Read For: Holiday read | 4-7 years
Owl Moon
A little girl is finally old enough to go ‘owling’ with her father. So they set out to walk on a cold snowy night. A dreamy picture book for a nighttime read with your little one. Take turns in calling for owl.
Read For: A poetic classic with enchanting illustrations | 3-7 years
Peter Rabbit Naturally Better
A set of four books of the popular Peter Rabbit series. Read the stories of humorous adventure on a farm. It is an old-school fairy tale with charming illustrations. The set is just too cute and appealing.
Read For: Old fairy tale | 3-7 years
Beginner Readers & Elementary
Go, Dog Go
This timeless P.D. Eastman book is written using only 75 words. Beginner readers can read it by themselves with ease. Meet all kinds of dog riding scooters, bicycles, roller skates. They are all going to a party. The illustrations are big and simple. A book for dog-loving young kids.
Read For: Early reader classic | 3-7 years
Strega Nona
Grandma Witch goes for a visit to the nearby mountain. Young Anthony is left with the magical pasta pot. He recites the verses to start the pasta but does not know how to stop it. And pasta takes over to town! A hilarious read for elementary classrooms.
Read For: Magical old tale | 4-8 years
The Jolly Postman
Read the letter by kids’ favorite fairy tale characters to others. See what Goldilocks writes to the Three bears. An interactive book with ‘real’ letters, cards, fake money – makes it exciting for young readers. The story is written in witty rhymes.
Read For: Imaginative classic rhymes | 4-8 years
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
This classic Seuss book encourages kids to work for their dream. In typical Dr. Seuss style, the story is written in verse. The whimsical illustrations are perfect to keep young readers engaged.
Read For: Timeless book about finding success within | 4-8 years
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Fun and silly poems with ridiculously laugh-out-loud illustrations. A girl eats a whale, a boy turns into a tv, grow your own diamond garden, wash your shadow – a crazy world it is. Ah, the fun and joy of childhood!
Read For: A must-read childhood classic | 6-8 years
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The Grinch did not like Christmas. Read and grow your heart along with the Grinch. A book about the Christmas spirit melting even the smallest heart. This old Dr. Seuss makes a great Christmas gift.
Read For: Meaning and Spirit of Christmas | 5-9 years
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
An evergreen book loved by kids for generations. And of course who does not love a story of chocolate! A charming read about how Charlie came to own a chocolate factory. The dialogues are funny. A super entertaining family read-aloud.
Read For: Popular beginner reader classic chapter book | 8-12 years
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
A young mouse Ralph spots a shiny new motorcycle toy. Now it just wants a ride on it. But the fun ride really comes with its own challenges. The adventure just got more exciting! Also, check out the other two books from this humorous trilogy.
Read For: Entertaining classroom read | 8-12 years
Middle Graders
Charlotte’s Web
Read the story of a little girl saving a newborn pig’s life. Then there are many other animals around the house. The chapters are small and easy to read. A perfect book for primary graders to get introduced to classics.
Read For: E. B. White classic with the theme of friendship, love | 8-12 years
Little Women
This classic tale of four sisters never gets old. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – all are so different than each other. The age-old story with family struggles, love, courage fits into any modern-day setting easily.
Read For: Timeless middle grade read | 8-12 years
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
A girl tumbles down a rabbit hole. Thus starts the story of the most popular heroine of the English fairy tales. A story of a curious kid growing up. This edition contains both books. And retains the classic illustrations too. A perfect gift for classic loving kids.
Read For: A landmark in classic English literature | 8-11 years
Matilda
Roald Dahl books are sheer magic for kids. Read the story about exceptionally intelligent little Matilda. Her parents find her odd and school is a different matter altogether. And then Matilda discovers her power!
Read For: Age-old entertaining story | 8-12 years
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
This J.R.R. Tolkien classic has created a fantasy genre of its own. Visit the land of wizards, dwarfs, dragons with this charming tale. The original illustrations are done by Tolkien himself.
Read For: Epic middle grades classic | 10-14 years
Little Prince 75th Anniversary Edition
Take a trip down the nostalgic lane with this special edition. It is full-on information on Saint-Exupery, the process of writing the age-old favorite, many letters. An adorable story with original drawings.
Read For: Making of a classic story | 10-12 years
The Wind in the Willows
Read the engaging story of four friends and their adventures. Kids will learn to step out of their comfort zone and enjoy their surroundings. The original illustrations by Robert Ingpen are as charming as ever.
Read For: Classic early reader book to read | 7-14 years
Treasure Island
A quintessential pirate tale we never get tired of reading. Read about Jim Hawkins’s journey in a ship following a treasure map. And many challenges of the way. A coming-of-age novel for 10-year-old and above.
Read For: Old pirate tale | 10-17 years
A Light in the Attic
This poem collection is for Shel Silverstein fans. The poems are seriously funny and a little creepy too. The original drawings are super crazy and silly at the same time.
Read For: Silly crazy classic poems | 8-12 years
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
This Mark Twain book is the follow-up of the popular novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Set in the era of racism in Missouri, Huckleberry fights for what is ‘right’. He helps Jim free from slavery. Read on to soak in the bygone era. The cover and arts are original illustrations.
Read For: Old classic from a Master storyteller | 10-17 years
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas
Go on a sea adventure with Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus. It is one of the first science fiction novels. The submarine description in the 1870s is quite accurate considering the vessel was not as advanced as it is now. It is quite in-depth read for marine lovers.
Read For: One of the earliest science fiction | 12-18 years
