Find out why these classic children’s books are so beloved.
These children’s books are great for independent readers and perfect to be read aloud. Each book on this list is a tried and true classic. Well beloved by generations of readers.
“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” — Kate DiCamillo
These books will transport the reader to a different world as they use their imagination and fall in love with the story. The characters and stories within the pages of these books are just what children (and adults) need to escape the crazy world and experience something magical.
Some of these children’s classics are better read aloud so that the adult can explain new (or old) concepts as the story is read.
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The benefits of reading aloud are numerous. Some of these include building phonemic awareness, acquiring knowledge, bonding with the parent, and even managing emotions better than children who are not read to. Read more about the benefits here.
My mom used to spend time reading to my brother and I in the evenings before bed and I have wonderful memories of these times together. Even as we got older, she continued to read aloud to us and it was a great way to end the day and spend time together without distractions.
Here is my list of the best children’s classic books.
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1. The Little House on The Prairie (Book Series)
The Little House on The Prairie books are a well beloved children’s classic book series about Laura Ingalls’ life as a pioneer on the American frontier. Read her story and learn about the reality of life for the pioneers in America in the late 1800’s. As you read, you are sure to fall in love with the simplicity of what life used to be and wonder if you could have made it through the hardships too.
2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Join Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as they get into all kinds of trouble. This classic takes the reader back to childhood in the 19th century. Capturing what it’s like to be a young boy with lots of freedom and a knack for finding adventure, this story is sure to pull you in.
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
This books is the sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. This story follows Huckleberry Finn as he takes a raft down the Mississippi River. Read about his adventures along the way as he travels with a slave seeking his freedom. This book was written in the 1840’s and may be best read aloud so the adult can explain some out of date concepts or language.
4. Little Women
In Little Women, four sisters face the world with their mother while their father is away fighting in the war. They fight, fall in love, and grow up alongside one another. The girls learn how the world works and what it means to become a woman. This children’s classic book is also a favorite of many adults too.
5. The Chronicles Of Narnia
Go on the adventure of a lifetime with four children as they discover a world hidden within a wardrobe. In this magical place, animals talk, and the trees are truly alive. But that’s not all, the epic battle of good and evil holds the world in the balance.
6. Swiss Family Robinson
In this story, a family gets shipwrecked on an island and has to learn how to live off the land and rely on one another to make it through. This book promotes traditional family values, the value of hard work, and good morals. This one is sure to make the reader want to leave behind the hustle of their everyday lives and go on an adventure with the ones they love.
7. Anne of Green Gables
Anne Shirley is an orphan who, in a mix up, is sent to the wrong home. Green Gables becomes her true home and she brings delight and entertainment to everyone she meets. Anne is always getting into mischief but she always means well. Get swept away into the beautiful world of Green Gables where time passes a little slower and people take a little more time for each other.
8. The Hobbit
A quiet hobbit names Bilbo lives comfortably in the Shire, when suddenly he is whisked away on an adventure with a wizard and a group of dwarves. He joins them in their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and comes across a powerful ring. This ring will change the course of his life and everyone’s lives in Middle Earth. This book is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings series.
9. The Secret Garden
A young girl named Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle in England. She spends time exploring the grounds at his estate when she comes across a secret garden. Through her care it comes back to life and she creates important friendships along the way.
10. Where The Red Fern Grows
Billy finally saves up enough money to pursue his lifelong dream of buying dogs. His two dogs become his best friends and an amazing hunting team. Follow the wonderful story of a boy and his dogs, just be prepared for some tragedy too.
11. The Phantom Tollbooth
Milo is bored of everything when suddenly a tollbooth appears in his room. He decides he has nothing better to do, so he goes through it. He finds himself in a new land full of interesting places with even more interesting names. For example, the Island of Conclusions that he gets to by jumping.
12. Ramona Quimby
Ramona Quimby is a rambunctious little girl who is always getting into something. The scrapes she gets into are relatable and entertaining. This is a series adults and children will get a kick out of as you laugh together at everything Ramona does.
13. Charlotte’s Web
A spider begins writing in her web about her pig friend Wilbur. Read as a sweet friendship develops between the farm animals and a little girl. Can they save a life too?
14. The Boxcar Children
Four orphaned siblings make a home in a boxcar in this classic story of self-reliance, resilience, and importance of family. Follow along as the four children grow up and learn more about one another in the adventures they go on. This is a whole series and once you begin, you will want to read them all.
15. Stuart Little
Stuart Little is a mouse living in New York with a family of humans and cat Snowball. He is a fun-loving mouse always looking for adventure. When his best friend, a little bird, goes missing, Stuart goes on the adventure of a lifetime to search for her.
16. The Trumpet of The Swan
A trumpeter swan named Louis tragically can’t make a sound like all the other swans. Because of this, he can’t express his love for a beautiful swan named Serena. He tries everything to get her attention, even learning to read a write. Finally his father finds him a brass trumpet, maybe if he can learn to use it she will look his way.
17. The Indian in The Cupboard
A boy gets a little plastic Indian toy from his best friend for his birthday. He is disappointed in the gift, so he puts it in a cupboard and locks it with a key his grandmother gave him. All the sudden the Indian comes to life. The Indian has a life entirely of his own from a different time and place. What will the boy do now that he has a man living in his cabinet?
18. Treasure Island
The 1883 classic has been loved by generation after generation as a great adventure story. A young boy, Jim Hawkins, finds a treasure map and decides to go find the treasure with the help of Billy Bones, an old sea captain. Go on a great adventure with them as you read this book together.
19. Black Beauty
This true classic is told from the perspective of a horse. Black Beauty begins life in a loving home but then moves to be with different kinds of humans. The horse experiences highs and lows, neglect and love. As you get into the mind of the horse, you will feel everything it feels and the heartbreak and love that goes with it.
20. Tuck Everlasting
When Winnie Foster finds a spring on her family’s property that grants eternal life, she must make the decision of a lifetime. Meeting the Tuck family in the woods changes her perspective on life and the significance of aging. Will she choose to join them or will she participate in the beauty of growing old?
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Thank you for checking out this book list! I’d love to hear your favorite classics in the comments.
Rachel
Wonderful book list!