167 Most Important Children's Books
Divided into two lists by age-level, these are classic and contemporary classic children's books that everyone will want to read. You may check each title's location and availability in the Library's catalog by clicking the title of the book.
Books for Younger Readers - by Authors, M-Z
This section of 167 Most Important Books for Children includes classic and contemporary classics for younger readers. You may check each title's location and availability in the library's catalog by clicking the title of the book.
Mercer Mayer
Tells in pictures a boy's unsuccessful attempts to catch a frog.
Mercer Mayer
At bedtime a boy confronts the nightmare in his closet and finds him not so terrifying after all.
Robert McCloskey
Little Sal and Little Bear both lose their mothers while eating blueberries and almost end up with the other's mother.
Robert McCloskey
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Garden with their eight offspring.
Gerald McDermott
In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.
Edna Miller
A whitefoot mouse makes a home for the winter in a jack-o'-lantern discarded after Halloween.
Else Minarik
Little Bear's four adventures include taking a trip to the moon and having a birthday party.
Clement C. Moore
Presents the well-known poem about an important Christmas visitor.
Arlene Mosel
When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names.
Laura Numeroff
Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's day.
Graham Oakley
A lonely mouse living in a church with only a friendly, sleepy cat for company devises a plan to get all the mice in town to move in with him.
Charles Perrault
In her haste to flee the palace before the fairy godmother's magic loses effect, Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper.
Watty Piper
When the other engines refuse, the Little Blue Engine tries to pull a stranded train full of dolls, toys, and good food over the mountain.
Leo Politi
Sad when the swallows leave for the winter, young Juan prepares to welcome them back to the old California Mission at Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day the next spring.
Beatrix Potter
Peter disobeys his mother by going into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught.
Sergei Prokofiev
Retells the orchestral fairy tale in which a boy ignores his grandfather's warnings and proceeds to capture a wolf.
Cynthia Rylant
Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge.
Jon Scieszka
The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.
Maurice Sendak
A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.
Dr. Seuss
When a lazy bird hatching an egg wants a vacation, she asks Horton, the elephant, to sit on her egg--which he does through all sorts of hazards until he is rewarded for doing what he said he would.
Dr. Seuss
The Grinch tries to stop Christmas from arriving by stealing all the presents and food from the village, but much to his surprise it comes anyway. Could Christmas be more than presents?
Dr. Seuss
Two children sitting at home on a rainy day are visited by the Cat in the Hat who shows them some tricks and games.
Charles Shaw
Describes the different things a cloud appeared to be, from spilt milk to a bird, rabbit, or tree.
Esphyr Slobodkina
A cap peddler falls asleep under a tree while wearing all his wares, and when he wakes up he finds that they have been taken by mischievous monkeys.
Peter Spier
Illustrates the nursery rhyme and children's game about London Bridge falling down. Includes a history of the bridge and music score.
James Thurber
Though many try, only the court jester is able to fulfill Princess Lenore's one wish.
Alvin Tresselt
When it begins to look, feel, and smell like snow, everyone prepares for a winter blizzard.
Judith Viorst
On a day when everything goes wrong for him, Alexander is consoled by the thought that other people have bad days too.
Audrey Wood
In this cumulative tale, a wakeful flea atop a number of sleeping creatures causes a commotion, with just one bite.
Taro Yashima
Momo eagerly waits for a rainy day so she can use the red boots and umbrella she received on her third birthday.
Jane Yolen
When beautiful Princess Miserella, Plain Jane, and a fairy fall under a sleeping spell, a prince undoes the spell in a surprising way.
Gene Zion
When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn't recognize him as a black dog with white spots.
More 167 Most Important Children's Bookslists
Books for Younger Readers - by Authors, M-ZBooks for Younger Readers - by Authors, A-L
Books for Older Readers - by Authors, M-Z
Books for Older Readers - by Authors, A-L