12 Best Children's Books Ever
As kids, we put our faith in superheroes, fairy princesses, and lovable stuffed animals that have miraculously come to life. That is to say, we cling on to any stories that let us make sense of our small presence in a big world — stories that teach us about our surroundings, and more importantly, about what it means to be human. Our imaginations then become our strongest asset, allowing us to see the world more clearly, despite the presence of purple dragons and cotton candy clouds. With age, it can be easy to let go of our favorite characters and allow their messages to slip from our minds, but it’s so, so important to revisit our fictional friends every now and again. These 12 children’s books offer the perfect break for people of all ages, and range in topics from wand-wielding wizards to talking toads.
1/13Harry Potter
By now it’s been proven that Harry Potter is beneficial for people of all ages. The Boy Who Lived taught the world about diversity, love, friendship, and what it means to stand up to our enemies. All of these lessons are valuable for kids as well as adults, which has made the franchise one of the most (if not the most) successful in the world.
2/13Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
When Lewis Caroll penned the tale about a girl who disappears down a rabbit hole in 1895, he couldn’t have anticipated that people who still be talking about it over a hundred years later. But the story about a curious English lass named Alice has captivated generations and even been made into multiple movies!
3/13The Chronicles of Narnia
The series’ use of fantasy made it a must-read for kids, but its lessons about morality makes it still ring true for adults today. Over the course of seven books, C.S. Lewis made readers of all ages believe in magic, and more importantly – the power of the individual.
4/13The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows taught us to live simply and appreciate our friends — a lesson that many people don’t learn until waaay later in life. Not only are there some rock solid morals involved here, but the book employs an adorable cast of talking animals to deliver the message.
5/135. Winnie-the-Pooh
We feel compelled to give a shout out to everyone’s favorite honey-loving bumbling bear. Going back to visit Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Kanga, Rabbit, and Christopher Robin feels as refreshing as grabbing lunch with an old friend. Over the course of several books, TV episodes, and even movies, the world has become thoroughly obsessed with the easily sidetracked but always lovable, Pooh.
6/13Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon is the ultimate bedtime story for children. It’s so soothing! To this day, there’s something comforting and hypnotic about reading the rhyming words — “Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere.”
7/13The Little Prince
There’s a reason that The Little Prince has been translated into over 200 languages and became one of the best-selling books of all time. Originally written in French, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s story taught us to trust our instincts, be grateful for what we’ve been given, and above all else that "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
8/13Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Oh, the Places You'll Go! is just as entertaining now as it was when it was written in 1990. College and high school graduates all over the country are gifted this famed book, because the moral is as important for adults as it is for kids — there are new opportunities at every corner, but it’s up to you to seize them.
9/13Charlotte’s Web
There are some heavy lessons about appreciating the lives of animals and not taking friendships for granted in Charlotte’s Web. We can all learn something from the tenacity of Wilbur, the determination of Charlotte, and the love of Fern — even as adults this book is definitely worth a revisit and will without a doubt make you sob upon completion, so don’t forget the tissues.
10/13The Giver
The tale of Jonas and his dystopian reality delivers a powerful message: we must not accept the reality that we are presented with, but instead, search for deeper truths on our own. Lois Lowry’s 1993 classic was recently made into a movie, because people of all ages want to know more about The Giver’s strangely satisfying world.
11/13Harriet the Spy
Harriet M. Welsch is an inspiration for kids. She’s career-driven, stands her ground, and ultimately figures out what it takes to be a good friend. Sure, it takes her the course of a children’s novel to figure out what it means to be a friend, but it’s hard not to rejoice in her triumph when she does.
12/13Where the Wild Things Are
“’And now,’ cried Max, ‘let the wild rumpus start!’” Although the story is only comprised of 338 words, readers around the world fell in love with the wolf-suit-wearing Max, king of the wild things. The story confirms that imagination and wildness are key to happiness, but at the end of the day, all we really need to feel loved is a warm supper and a cozy place to call home.
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