Here is our selection of the top children’s books every child should read. To purchase books click on the link under the selected book.
Green Eggs and Ham (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books) by Dr. Seuss
As one of the most memorable children’s book of all time, this story teaches a lesson that every child needs to learn: If you’ve never tried it, you can’t say you don’t like it!
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brownand Clement Hurd
As a favorite bedtime story, this book is about a child’s nightly ritual of saying goodnight to everything he sees.
The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
In this book, animals watch the sun go down and then prepare for bed. Boynton’s simple rhymes, goofy animals in goofy settings, and comforting stories make her books so appealing.
Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
In this seriously silly book, Boynton’s famous animal characters are sure to educate and entertain young readers.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This is a wonderful story with vibrant illustrations about a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly.
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
In this visually delightful book, a bad-tempered braggart becomes a nicer, happier, better-behaved bug. It’s a great story to discuss manners and social behavior.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. 
The gentle rhyming and gorgeous illustrations in this classic picture book make it a favorite on many children’s bookshelves.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Anniversary Edition by Bill Martin Jr.
The colorful, block illustrations of the 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book have made it an all-time favorite.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Published in 1968, this delightful book tells the story of a tattered, stuffed teddy bear named Corduroy who finds a new home.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
This beautifully illustrated children’s book is about the tragic fate of the imaginary town of Chewandswallow.
Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books) by Crockett Johnson
As one of the most loved children’s books of all time, this book tells the story of Harold, a bright and imaginative little boy who colors his world exactly the way he wants it.
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
In this beautifully illustrated story, Mosel retells an old Chinese folktale about a little boy with a very long name.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Everything that could go wrong goes wrong in this wonderfully written book about a little boy named Alexander who has an extremely bad day.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
This popular children’s book ignites a youngster’s imagination. It’s a story about a boy who entertains himself in a world he has imagined.
The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD by Shel Silverstein
This wonderful children’s book, with simple black and white line drawings, tells the story of a friendship between a boy and a tree.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
From the creator of the beloved poetry collectionsWhere the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic and Falling Up, here is another wondrous book of poems and drawings.
Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base
This timely book focuses on the importance of striking a balance between development and conservation of nature.
Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure! by Jeff Brown 
Jeff Brown’s matter-of-fact tone and Tomi Ungerer’s witty and engaging drawings make this 1964 classic a perennial favorite.
Martha Speaks (Sandpiper paperbacks) by Susan Meddaugh
This scintillating story is about a little dog who learns to speak by eating alphabet soup.
Wave by Suzy Lee
Lee’s wordless picture book perfectly captures a child’s day at the beach. This is a simple, well-crafted story of friendship.
Jellybeans by Sylvia Van Ommen
This lovely book, with simple black-line drawings on a light background, is about two animals who find that a blue jellybean reminds them of the sky, prompting a discussion of heaven.
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O’Connor 
In this delicious “Fancy Nancy” book, the little glamour girl has a problem that turns out unexpectedly well.
The Mommy Book by Todd Parr 
In this story, all moms are celebrated. Using his trademark style of brightly colored stick figures, Parr portrays a world of diversity and peace (as reinforced by his It’s Okay to Be Different and This Is My Hair)
Underwear Do’s and Don’ts by Todd Parr
Parr’s silly little book is a list of do’s and don’ts. For young readers who are getting ready to shed diapers and enter the exciting world of big-boy or big-girl underpants, this is an absolute must.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The irrepressible mouse heroine of Chester’s Wayand Julius, the Baby of the World returns for another very funny story.
Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola 
This is an award-winning story about Strega Nona, the beloved Italian “Grandma Witch,” and her magic pasta-making pot.
Madeline, Reissue of 1939 edition by Ludwig Bemelmans
Set in 1940 Paris, this story is about a brave little girl’s trip to the hospital. The books’ spirited heroine, timeless art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text make it a favorite with children.
Olivia by Ian Falconer
In this book, Olivia, a typical high-energy kid who likes the beach and Degas paintings, but hates naps, is beautifully illustrated by The New Yorker artist Ian Falconer.
King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub: Book and Musical CD (Caldecott Honor Books) by Audrey Wood and Don Wood
In this humorously original tale, various members of the Court, dressed in Elizabethan clothing, try to dislodge the King from his bubbly tub.
The Tale of Two Mice by Ruth Brown
Muted watercolors in various hues of brown and blue tell the story of a feline predator that stalks two mice. Lift-the-flaps offer plenty of opportunity to explore further.
A Dark, Dark Tale (Picture Puffins) by Ruth Brown
This story will keep youngsters at the edge of their seats as the journey continues up dark stairways through hidden passages, around sharp corners and behind windblown curtains.
The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson 
As the 2009 Caldecott Medal winner, this book reassures children that there is always light when there’s darkness. Krommes’ drawings evoke the warmth of home and family, as well as the joys of exploring the world.
White Noise by David A. Carter This fifth installment of Carter’s color series is a modern and super artsy pop-up book for children of all ages. (Ideal for ages 3 -5)
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