A formative and downright essential part of youth, children's books fuel childhood imagination and education alike. It could even be said that, as adults, most of us still reflect fondly upon the titles that moved and inspired us when we were young. In turn, we share these books with our own children, preserving a tradition as old as storytelling itself. Consequently, the books and stories are renewed in terms of impact, so they remain as fresh now as they were when they first debuted. That's the magic of children's literature.
Who would know what makes for the best children's books better than our nation's librarians? Indeed, between their passion for the written word and constant exposure to young readers, librarians might very well be the foremost authority for what's hot and what's not in the juvenile section. That brings us to our list of 100 great children's books from the last 100 years, as picked by librarians. Using an article from the听听as our source, 爆料TV sorted the titles according to publication year. The result is a list that's both nostalgic and relevant at once, with books that mean as much to us in retrospect as they do to our children听moving forward. May you discover these titles all over again so that your kids might discover them for the first time.听听
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Author: A. A. Milne
Year: 1926听
In a true testament to the power of great characters, illustrations, and narratives, A.A. Milne鈥檚 鈥淲innie-the-Pooh鈥�听is as iconic today as it was nearly 100 years ago. Set in England鈥檚 Ashdown Forest, the book portrays a lovable, anthropomorphic bear with a craving for honey. Many of the story鈥檚 characters are听, who happened to be named Christopher Robin (another one of the book鈥檚 main characters). The majority of those toys are on听.听
Author: Wanda G谩g
Year: 1928听
In the late 1920s, American artist听听caught the attention of a local editor, who then asked G谩g to author and illustrate a children鈥檚 book. The result was 鈥淢illions of Cats,鈥澨齛bout an old man and woman who literally inspire a massive cat fight while deciding which furry critter to take home. Featuring an iconic rhyming verse that begins with 鈥淐ats here, cats there, Cats and kittens everywhere,鈥� this is one of the few picture books to win a Newbery Honor. It鈥檚 also the听.
Author: Munro Leaf
Year: 1936
As classic now as it was upon its 1936 debut, 鈥淭he Story of Ferdinand鈥� involves a sheepish bull who鈥檇 rather sit and smell flowers than engage in bullfights. Written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson, the book鈥檚 central story was听. Initial sales were sluggish, but word caught on by 1938, when the book began selling 3000 copies a week,听knocking听"Gone With the Wind"听off the top of the bestseller list. Expanding upon the story鈥檚 simple premise was a 2017 animated movie adaptation.
Author: J R.R. Tolkien
Year: 1937
A prequel to the famous Lord of the Rings听Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien鈥檚 鈥淭he Hobbit鈥�听(or 鈥淭here and Back Again鈥�) introduced readers to an extensive fantasy world complete with its own language and iconography. In the book, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins embarks on a quest to slay an evil dragon named Smaug. When writing the timeless tale, Tolkien drew upon a variety of influences,听. The result is a saga that鈥檚 still hooking readers to this day, not to mention inspiring blockbuster films. It all started here.听
Author: Richard and Florence Atwater
Year: 1938
Fans of "101 Dalmatians"听should definitely check out the similarly themed "Mr. Popper's Penguins."听It tells the story of a house painter who takes in a male and a female penguin, and soon finds听himself surrounded on all sides听by plump, aquatic birds. If you don't feel like reading the book, you can always stream the 2011 film starring Jim Carrey as Mr. Popper, though it is a loose adaptation.听
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Author: Ludwig Bemelmans
Year: 1939
Written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans, 1939鈥檚 鈥淢adeline鈥�听is about a small听but daring young girl who lives in a Catholic boarding school in France. One of the book鈥檚 most memorable segments involves the young protagonist being rushed to the hospital to have her appendix taken out. As it turns out, that sequence was inspired by the听. (A girl in the same room was undergoing appendix surgery.) The book would ultimately spawn its own franchise, including multiple sequels, an animated TV series, and a 1998 live action film.听听
Author: Robert McCloskey
Year: 1941听
Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Robert McCloskey鈥檚 鈥淢ake Way for Ducklings鈥�听tells the story of two mallard ducks who decide to听raise their children in the middle of a Boston park. The book makes for essential bedtime reading and therefore plays a significant role in youth development all over the world. As a token of their appreciation, readers of all ages听听on a frequent basis.
Author: Margret and H. A. Rey
Year: 1941
Few picture book characters are more iconic than 鈥淐urious George,鈥澨齛n orphaned brown monkey who takes up residence with the Man in the Yellow Hat, and gets into all sorts of trouble. The book was written and illustrated by the husband and wife team of Margret and H.A. Rey, though Margret鈥檚 name was left off original first edition copies. Before settling down to write the Curious George series, the Reys were听. It was an experience that perhaps infused the work with a genuine sense of adventure.听
Author: Virginia Lee Burton
Year: 1942
Atop a small hill in the countryside sits a small, anthropomorphic house that鈥檚 truly built to last, though she begins to wither as urban roads and skyscrapers pop up around her. So goes the premise for Virginia Lee Burton鈥檚 鈥淭he Little House.鈥澨齌he book was听. In 1952, Disney adapted the book into a short film of the same name. The short featured听cartoon skyscrapers that would reappear in the 1989 classic film, 鈥淲ho Framed Roger Rabbit?鈥�
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exup茅ry
Year: 1943
Before creating "The Little Prince,"听Antoine de Saint-Exup茅ry was an听听in the desert, with the experience leaving quite an impression. In his subsequent book, a stranded pilot similarly crashes in the desert, where he encounters a little boy from a distant planet. Excluding religious works, this is the听.听
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Author: Astrid Lindgren
Year: 1945
Red-haired, freckled, and capable of unfathomable strength, Pippi Longstocking听burst onto the scene in 1945 via Astrid Lindgren's book, and stayed relevant over the course of听decades. In both books and films, the iconic character has been called a range of much longer names, including Pippilotta Rollgardinia Victualia Peppermint Longstocking and Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Efraim's Daughter Longstocking. For obvious reasons, most folks stick with the nickname. Fueled largely by Pippi Longstocking鈥檚 popularity,听 and been translated more than any other Swedish author.听听
Author: Esphyr Slobodkina
Year: 1947
Based on a popular folktale, Esphyr Slobodkina鈥檚 鈥淐aps for Sale鈥�听is about a hat salesman who has his entire inventory stolen by mischievous monkeys. The book has sold over two million copies to date, putting it right up there with some of the most beloved children鈥檚 classics. Slobodkina鈥攚ho both wrote and illustrated the book鈥攚as a听passionate artist. Accordingly, she continued to听.
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Year: 1947
When it comes to children鈥檚 storytelling, sometimes the simplest approach is the best. For proof, look no further than Margaret Wise Brown鈥檚 鈥淕oodnight Moon,鈥澨齱hich has a bunny saying goodnight to various objects听around the house by way of rhyming verse. It's听joined by Clement Hurd鈥檚 unmistakable illustrations, which are as iconic now as they were 70 years ago. This might not be the first book read to you as a child, but it鈥檚 often the first one you remember years later.
Author: Ruth Stiles Gannett
Year: 1948
Written by Ruth Stiles Gannett and illustrated by her stepmother, Ruth Chrisman Gannett, 鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Dragon鈥�听sees a young boy named Elmer Elevator arriving at Wild Island in hopes of rescuing a baby dragon. Distinguishing this children鈥檚 book from the standard fare are a number of stunning black and white illustrations, along with a unique narrative mode鈥攖he story is told by the protagonist鈥檚 son. Not only is the book a huge hit among librarians, but it was also听听by teachers in the National Education Association.
Author: C.S. Lewis
Year: 1950
C.S. Lewis' fantasy novel "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"听continues to enrapture young readers over 60 years after its publication date. Inspired by classic mythology, the听, and didn't truly听come together until the author created Aslan the Lion. Of course, once finally published, the book was a massive success. Six sequels would follow, as would a handful of movie adaptations.听 听
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Author: Sydney Taylor
Year: 1951
As the story of five Jewish immigrant sisters growing up in Manhattan at the turn of the 20th century, Sydney Taylor鈥檚 鈥淎ll-of-a-Kind Family鈥�听was among the听听in America. The author鈥攚ho was born under the name Sarah Brenner鈥攂ased many of the book鈥檚 events on her own personal experiences growing up on the Lower East Side. She would write five books in the series before passing away in 1978.
Author: Mary Norton
Year: 1952
You might not be aware, but there are tiny people living among us like mice, borrowing things when necessary. At least, that鈥檚 the premise in Mary Norton鈥檚 classic book series 鈥淭he Borrowers.鈥澨齀t features the Clock family, who must flee from home and find a new place to live. Inspired in听听(which forced her to concentrate on small objects and details), the book won Britain鈥檚 Carnegie Award for children鈥檚 literature, and later spawned numerous big screen adaptations.
Author: E.B. White
Year: 1952
Few books render early impressions with the profundity of E.B. White鈥檚 鈥淐harlotte鈥檚 Web.鈥澨齌he acclaimed children鈥檚 novel takes place on a farm, where a spider named Charlotte helps keep a pig named Wilbur from being slaughtered by writing enthusiastic messages about him in her web. Inspired by听, the book delivers compulsive readability, and an ending that will stick with you for decades. 听
Author: Crockett Johnson
Year: 1955
A boy has the power to create entire worlds with a mere crayon in the aptly named 鈥淗arold and the Purple Crayon鈥�听by Crockett Johnson. The story has seen no shortage of big and small screen (and even stage) adaptations. Not only that, but 鈥淭he Simpsons鈥�听paid听 during the couch gag sequence in episode #463, 鈥淭he Bob Next Door.鈥�
Author: Dr. Seuss
Year: 1957
No list of favorite children's books is complete without Dr. Seuss, who makes his first appearance with 1957's "The Cat in the Hat."听Easily among the famous author and illustrator's most iconic works, the inventive book tells the story of a talking, hyperactive cat who causes all sorts of mayhem after being left in charge of two impressionable children. It's all told听in the kind of听rhyming verse that only Dr. Seuss could pull off. Speaking of Dr. Seuss, not only was he not a real doctor, but he was听. Go figure.
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Author: Dr. Seuss
Year: 1960
Just three years after publishing 鈥淭he Cat in the Hat,鈥澨鼶r. Seuss churned out another indisputable classic: 鈥淕reen Eggs and Ham.鈥澨齀n the book, a character named Sam-I-Am tries to convince a young man named Joey to eat green eggs and ham...and that鈥檚 (famously) the entire premise. According to legend, Dr. Seuss produced the massively popular work after his听.
Author: P. D. Eastman
Year: 1961
Author and illustrator P.D. Eastman was assigned to the U.S. Army鈥檚 Film Core Unit in 1943,听, better known today as Dr. Seuss. Years later, Seuss would launch his Beginner Book series, and ask Eastman to participate. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful career for Eastman, who published 鈥淕o, Dog. Go!鈥� In 1961. The book鈥攁bout a bunch of car-racing dogs on their way to a party鈥攊s simple in its delivery, but awash with clever details. Indeed, there鈥檚 more to this one than first meets the eye.
Author: Norton Juster
Year: 1961
A bored young boy drives his car through a tollbooth and enters a magical kingdom in 1961鈥檚 鈥淭he Phantom Tollbooth.鈥澨齇nce there, the boy encounters all sorts of fantastic characters and situations, many of them based on puns and idioms, thereby听giving the story a subtly educational edge. An unexpected success, the novel has sold over three million copies to date, and has additionally inspired a film, a play, and even an opera.
Author: Ingri D'Aulaire
Year: 1962
鈥淒鈥橝ulaires鈥� Book of Greek Myths鈥� introduced听young readers to the wide and fantastic world of Greek mythology. In the book, author Ingri D'Aulaire takes a somewhat humorous tone while adapting legendary tales about Zeus, King Midas, and the like. Helping get the message across are striking illustrations from the author鈥檚 husband, Edgar D'Aulaire. This is just one among many folklore-based books that the husband and wife team collaborated on.
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Year: 1962
Few novels can fire up imagination in young minds with the effectiveness of Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time."听The first installment in an acclaimed series, the book follows a group of siblings as they travel through the universe in search of their missing father, encountering all sorts of creatures and adventures along the way. Due to a constant struggle to get her work published,听听just before she wrote this masterpiece. Here we are decades later, and the award-winning book endures as a quintessential fantasy for young readers. It was recently adapted into a blockbuster film starring Oprah Winfrey.听
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Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Year: 1962
Ezra Jack Keats鈥� award-winning picture book听鈥淭he Snowy Day鈥�听tells the story of a young boy named Peter who wanders through his neighborhood in the freshly fallen snow. This was among the first children鈥檚 books to include an African American protagonist in an earnest capacity, though Keats听. Instead, the author and illustrator was arguably attempting to focus听on a universal experience (i.e. walking in the snow) to which people of all creeds and colors could relate.听
Author: Maurice Sendak
Year: 1962
Before unleashing 鈥淲here the Wild Things Are鈥�听upon the world, author and illustrator Maurice Sendak delivered 鈥淧ierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue.鈥澨齌he book follows听its titular character, an apathetic young boy who must learn how to care the hard way. Specifically, young Pierre has a change of heart after a lion swallows him whole and spits him out. Both a cartoon and stage version of the story appeared in 鈥淩eally Rosie,鈥澨齮he musical production (with lyrics by Carole King) based on Sendak鈥檚 works.听
Author: Leo Lionni
Year: 1963
In 鈥淪wimmy,鈥澨齛 school of fish is too scared of predators to come out of hiding, thereby听missing out on all sorts of wonderful experiences. Helping them overcome their fears is the book鈥檚 main character, Swimmy, a brave fish who teaches everyone how to work together. Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni, the Caldecott Honor-winning book imparts upon its readers vital lessons in teamwork and courage.
Author: Peggy Parish
Year: 1963
, writer Peggy Parish created 鈥淎melia Bedelia,鈥澨齛bout a housekeeper who takes every instruction at face value. Hence, when asked to 鈥渄ress the chicken,鈥澨鼳melia quite literally dresses the chicken in tiny clothes. "Amelia Bedelia" spawned an entire series that sold millions and millions of copies.听Suffice to say, Ms. Parish鈥檚 days of teaching third grade were presumably over.
Author: Maurice Sendak
Year: 1963
"Pierre"听was a mere warm-up for "Where the Wild Things Are,"听Maurice Sendak's timeless classic about a young boy who's sent to bed without any supper. Soon after, his bedroom turns into a fantasy land filled with monsters, who听mistake the young boy as one of their own. The book鈥攚hich has听鈥攕pawned a 2009 live-action film directed by Spike Jonze. Ironically, Sendak had to听.听听
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Author: Louise Fitzhugh
Year: 1964
In a time when Barbie represented everything women were supposed to embody, Louis Fitzhugh鈥檚 鈥淗arriet the Spy鈥�听was a truly听refreshing鈥攁nd even groundbreaking鈥攂ook. It tells the story of a young, well-to-do girl named Harriet, who snoops on her classmates and neighbors, recording听everything听in her notebook.听, the story dismantled gender norms while simultaneously tackling themes of psychology and peer pressure. Film rights were sold almost immediately after the book鈥檚 release, but it would over three decades before a movie adaptation landed on the big screen.
Author: Russell Hoban
Year: 1964
Ideal for beginning readers (and fussy eaters), 鈥淏read and Jam for Frances鈥�听tells the story of a young girl who wants to eat bread and jam for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No eggs. No chicken salad. Just bread and jam. The book was written by Russell Hoban and expertly illustrated by his wife, Lillian, who originally took a somewhat subdued approach to color. In 1993, however, Lillian re-illustrated the beloved children鈥檚 book, adding more lustrous hues.
Author: Lloyd Alexander
Year: 1964
, Lloyd Alexander created 鈥淭he Book of Three,鈥澨齛 fantasy novel that kicked off a series collectively known as The Chronicles of Prydain. In this initial installment, an aspiring hero named Taran and his followers enter a dangerous world filled with forces of evil. The story would play out over the course of five volumes and culminate with the acclaimed novel, 鈥淭he High King.鈥�
Author: Bill Martin
Year: 1967
A terrific resource for helping toddlers develop their word and object association skills, 鈥淏rown听Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"听couldn鈥檛 be simpler in its delivery. That is, the picture book has a narrator asking various animals what they see, with the animals typically responding that they see another animal. Thanks to its built-in musicality and streamlined execution, the book has sold millions of copies across the world, and even spawned a few sequels.
Author: E. L. Konigsburg
Year: 1967
, "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" tells the story of two siblings who run away from home to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they uncover a mystery. While aimed at young readers, the novel employs a sophisticated narrative, making it a great story to revisit in one's adult years. Meanwhile, the museum in which the story takes place has never forgotten the book. In fact, when author E.L. Konigsburg passed away in 2013,听.
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Author: Beverly Cleary
Year: 1968
Fifteen years after introducing an excitable girl named Ramona Quimby in 1953鈥檚 鈥淏eezus and Ramona,鈥� Beverly Cleary gave the character a story all her own in 1968鈥檚 鈥淩amona the Pest.鈥澨齀n the book, Ramona starts kindergarten and lets her perennial curiosity get the best of her over, and over, and over again, causing her to be branded a 鈥減est鈥� by a fellow classmate. In spite of the book鈥檚 success, it would be another seven years before Cleary revisited the character in 鈥淩amona the Brave,鈥澨齱hich was closely followed by more books in the Ramona series. To this day, the series is cherished among young readers.
Author: Don Freeman
Year: 1968
Long before Pixar鈥檚 鈥淭oy Story,鈥澨齮here was Don Freeman鈥檚 鈥淐orduroy,鈥澨齛bout a stuffed bear who comes to life in a department store and searches around for a missing button. In his earlier years, Freeman was an avid musician, who accidentally left his trumpet behind on a train. The loss of his听beloved instrument forced Freeman to concentrate more on writing and drawing, eventually leading him to create this timeless children鈥檚 classic. It just goes to show that sometimes our biggest mistakes pave the way for our greatest accomplishments.
Author: William Steig
Year: 1969
In William Steig鈥檚 鈥淪ylvester and the Magic Pebble,鈥澨齛 donkey named Sylvester thinks it鈥檚 his lucky day when he scores himself a pebble that grants wishes. Unfortunately for Sylvester, his first wish is to be turned into a giant rock, which doesn鈥檛 exactly bode well for the character. On the heels of its publication, the beloved book would go on to听win numerous awards,听.听
Author: Eric Carle
Year: 1969
Eric Carle听听before finding massive success as a children鈥檚 author and illustrator. Just how much success? Try听. His most famous work remains 鈥淭he Very Hungry Caterpillar,鈥澨齛bout a voracious caterpillar who chows down on a bunch of food听before becoming a beautiful butterfly. The book is not only uniquely illustrated, but further distinguished by the presence of听little holes in certain pages, as if the main character ate his way through.
Author: Arnold Lobel
Year: 1970
Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, "Frog and Toad Are Friends"听follows the adventures of two amphibious companions who exhibit a broad spectrum of human emotions and confide with one another to get through hard times. The book鈥攚hich kicked off a series鈥攊s more than just a testament to the power of friendship. In fact, some听, making it quite听ahead of its time.
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Author: Robert C. O'Brien
Year: 1971
Years before the 1982 animated film 鈥淭he Secret of NIMH,鈥澨齮here came Robert C. O鈥橞rien鈥檚 鈥淢rs.听Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.鈥澨齏inner of the听, the book tells the engrossing story of a field mouse who employs the help of intelligent former labs rats in order听to save her home from being destroyed by the farmer鈥檚 plow. While writing the book, the author drew upon the work of Dr. John B. Calhoun, a researcher who听, and then used those patterns to make predictions about human civilization.听
Author: Judy Blume
Year: 1972
Bestselling author Judy Blume enters the list with 鈥淭ales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,鈥澨齤ust one of her many famous novels to feature the Hatcher family and their rambunctious son, Farley Drexel Hatcher, better known as 鈥淔udge.鈥澨齀n the book, 4th grader Peter Hatcher struggles to understand why his parents are so forgiving when it comes to Fudge鈥檚 hyperactive behavior. Of course, audiences were likewise quite听receptive to Fudge, prompting multiple sequels with titles like 鈥淪uperfudge鈥� and 鈥淔udge-a-Mania.鈥濃�嬧�嬧�嬧��
Author: Judith Viorst
Year: 1972
His name is Alexander and from the moment he wakes up, he has himself a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day in this popular 1972 children鈥檚 classic听from Judith Viorst. The book is so simple in its premise that when Hollywood released a live-action adaptation in 2014, the story had been stretched in numerous and significant ways. A 30-minute animated musical produced by HBO in 1990 ran truer to the source material.
Author: James Marshall
Year: 1972
Two hippos named George and Martha are such close friends that they do literally everything together in James Marshall鈥檚 book听鈥淕eorge and Martha.鈥澨齌he first in a popular series, the book includes a number of short stories, all built around the unbreakable bond between these two lovable, occasionally mischievous hippos. Rife with themes of friendship and loyalty, the stories are as relatable today as they were when they first debuted.听
Author: Tomie dePaola
Year: 1975
Published in 1975, Tomie dePaola's "Strega Nona" (which translates to "Grandmother Witch") mixes two things that nearly every child loves: magic and pasta. Specifically, the book tells the story of a friendly witch, whose helper over-uses a magic cooking pot and ends up flooding their Italian village with pasta. Capitalizing on the book's success, the author wrote and illustrated a number of follow-ups featuring the two main characters.
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Author: Verna Aardema
Year: 1975
Have you ever wondered why mosquitoes buzz in people鈥檚 ears? Well, author Verna Aardema (and illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon) serves up an explanation in the aptly named book, 鈥淲hy Mosquitoes Buzz in People鈥檚 Ears.鈥澨鼴ased on a popular African legend, the richly illustrated story has a mosquito stirring a huge panic amidst the other animals, and spending the rest of his life asking humans if everyone is still mad at him. And now you know why mosquitoes buzz in people鈥檚 ears.听听
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Year: 1976
The second book in a series, 鈥淩oll of Thunder, Hear My Cry鈥�听has narrator Cassie Logan coming to grips with the African American experience in Mississippi during the Great Depression. The novel鈥攚hich听鈥�was followed by two sequels and a prequel. In 1978, the story was adapted into a TV movie starring Morgan Freeman.听听
Author: Harry Allard
Year: 1977
In the children鈥檚 picture book 鈥淢iss Nelson is Missing!鈥澨齛 kind teacher is consistently taken advantage of by her boisterous students, who discover just how good they had it when Miss Nelson goes missing. In her place, the world鈥檚 meanest substitute, Miss Viola Swamp, shows up to teach the class. The popular book was the first in a three-part series, the last entry being 鈥淢iss Nelson is Back.鈥澨鼿opefully, her students learned to behave by that point.
Author: Katherine Paterson
Year: 1977
First published in 1977, Katherine Paterson鈥檚 鈥淏ridge to Terabithia鈥�听remains such an impactful novel that readers don鈥檛 finish it as much as they recover from it.听听(to say more is to give too much away), the book tells the story of two best friends who create an imaginary kingdom for themselves and learn to overcome obstacles听as a result. A mainstay on 鈥渢op book鈥� lists from librarians and teachers alike, the novel听听in 1978听and inspired both a 1985 TV movie and a 2007 film adaptation.
Author: Ellen Raskin
Year: 1978
Like an Agatha Christie novel for young readers, Ellen Raskin's "The Westing Game"听involves a number of supposed heirs who must figure out who killed Sam Westing by following clues left in his will. Whoever cracks the case will win Westing's entire $200 million dollar fortune. A true page-turner to this day, the听听conducted in 2012.
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Author: Donald Crews
Year: 1978
Instead of providing a firm narrative, 1978鈥檚 鈥淔reight Train鈥�听takes readers on an intensive tour of a working cargo train. Written and illustrated by Donald Crews, the celebrated work was听, and has additionally appeared on numerous 鈥渂est children鈥檚 book鈥� lists. Meanwhile, Crews gave the book a makeover with 2001鈥檚 鈥淚nside Freight Train,鈥澨�,听among other things. Truly fulfilling the book's 21st century destiny, however, was the听听based on the book.听
Author: Rachel Isadora
Year: 1979
Artist, author, and illustrator Rachel Isadora has published over 150 children鈥檚 books to date, and 鈥淏en鈥檚 Trumpet鈥� remains her most well-known. It tells the story of a young boy who yearns to play the trumpet, and is one day given the chance when a local jazz musician decides to take on a mentorship role. Not only did the book inspire a video adaptation, but it was even听.听
Author: Ann Cameron
Year: 1981
Aimed at readers ages听5 to 9, Ann Cameron鈥檚 鈥淭he Stories Julian Tells鈥�听follows a boy named Julian, who spins tall tales and gets his younger brother to believe all sorts of crazy stories. However, for every lie told, there鈥檚 often a lesson to be learned, making the book quite听popular among educators and parents. Littered throughout the book are stunning black and white illustrations by Ann Strugnell.
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Year: 1981
An acclaimed name in classrooms and libraries around the world, author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg pairs wildly imaginative stories with downright lush and distinctive illustrations. Among his best works is 鈥淛umanji,鈥澨齛bout a magical board game that comes to life and sends players on real, harrowing jungle-based adventures. The book won the听, and inspired not one, but two major Hollywood films. As for the idea itself, Van Allsburg claims he thought of it after听.听
Author: Vera B. Williams
Year: 1982
In 1981, author and illustrator Vera B. Williams听spent a month in a federal penitentiary for peaceful protest,听and the year after that she published her most popular book. That book was "A Chair for My Mother,"听and it's about a girl named Rosa, her mother, and her grandmother, all of whom save up to buy a comfortable chair after their possessions are destroyed in a fire. Rosa would appear in three more books with similarly warm-hearted themes.
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Author: Molly Bang
Year: 1983
After spending time apart from her 2-year-old daughter for the first time, writer Molly Bang was听. That poem would become 鈥淭en, Nine, Eight,鈥澨齛n award-winning children鈥檚 picture book. Bang keeps the narrative simple by having a young girl countdown before bedtime. It鈥檚 no surprise that Barney the Dinosaur once read from the book during an episode of "Barney & Friends."
Author: Virginia Hamilton
Year: 1985
Based on a series of actual folk tales, 鈥淭he People Could Fly: American Black Folktales鈥� incorporates a variety of perspectives. Compiled (and re-written) by Virginia Hamilton听and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, the collection has garnered substantial acclaim and a听. Not only that, but the book is occasionally used as an educational resource on college campuses.
Author: Tomie dePaola
Year: 1985
From the creator of 鈥淪trega Nona鈥� came 鈥淭omie De Paola鈥檚 Mother Goose.鈥澨鼳s one might expect, the book sees the popular author and illustrator adapting over 200 classic nursery rhymes, from Old Mother Hubbard to Little Miss Muffet and everything in between. It鈥檚 all joined by beautiful illustrations, making this book a surefire crowd pleaser among young audiences.听
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky
Year: 1986
A classic fairy tale gets an illustrative upgrade in Paul O. Zelinsky鈥檚 鈥淩umpelstiltskin.鈥澨齀ndeed, the story of a poor miller鈥檚 daughter who makes a bad deal with an imp-like creature has never looked so visually impressive. To bring the story to life, Zelinsky听听As a result, the book is simply听brimming with a genuine sense of artistry, as if every page is a painting.
Author: John Steptoe
Year: 1987
Just two years before his untimely death, African American author and illustrator John Steptoe published "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale."听Inspired by African folklore, the Cinderella-esque tale centers on a man named Mufaro who brings his two daughters before the Great King. While both of Mufaro's daughters are beautiful, one is kind-hearted听and the other is ill-tempered. Which one does the Great King choose as his queen? Read to find out.
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Author: Julius Lester
Year: 1987
Famous trickster Brer Rabbit was a popular character in African American southern folklore long before he appeared in the pages of Julius Lester鈥檚 鈥淭he Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit.鈥澨齆evertheless, the 1987 collection of stories introduced the clever rabbit to a receptive young audience, and earned plenty of acclaim听in the process. Not only is the writing top-notch, but illustrator Jerry Pinkney won a听 for work on this project, later winning a Lifetime Achievement Award from the same organization.听
Author: Gary Paulsen
Year: 1987
A harrowing tale of survival, Gary Paulsen鈥檚 鈥淗atchet鈥�听tells the story of a boy who鈥檚 stranded in the wilderness and armed with nothing more than a hatchet. True to his material. Paulsen听. In fact, the author still听. Given the fact that his novels have sold millions of copies worldwide, we鈥檙e going assume it鈥檚 strictly a lifestyle choice.
Author: Roald Dahl
Year: 1988
Thanks to endlessly inventive (and often crude) books like 鈥淛ames and the Giant Peach鈥� and 鈥淐harlie and the Chocolate Factory,鈥澨齛uthor Roald Dahl was already a huge favorite among young readers by the time 1988鈥檚 鈥淢atilda鈥� was published. However, the story of a mistreated girl with heightened intelligence and magical powers remains one of Dahl鈥檚 most iconic works. As usual, artist Quentin Blake handles illustrative duties, lending the book an unmistakable aesthetic. In 1996, Danny DeVito directed and starred in a film adaptation.听
Author: Bill Martin
Year: 1989
Co-written by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault听and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, 鈥淐hicka Chicka Boom Boom鈥�听is a bestselling alphabet book with letters that literally take on a life of their own. Specifically, all the lower-case letters fall out of a tree and get subsequently injured, needing help from all the upper-case letters. Thanks to a rhyming structure based on scat singing (an improvisational vocal technique), the book is simply听bursting with musicality. Hence, it鈥檚 no wonder that听, or that musician David Plummer released an album听called 鈥淐hicka Chicka Boom Boom and Other Coconutty Songs,鈥澨齠eaturing songs directly inspired by the book.
Author: Jon Scieszka
Year: 1989
Sure, you've heard the story of the three little pigs, but have you heard the听true听story of the three little pigs? If not, you owe it to yourself to visit (or revisit) Jon Scieszka's clever children's book, which upends virtually everything you know about the classic fairy tale, pinning much of the blame on the pigs themselves. Of course, it's worth noting that there's a potential bias at play.听After all, the story is told from the wolf's perspective.
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Author: Ed Young
Year: 1989
Speaking of reimagined fairy tales, 鈥淟on Po Po鈥�听sees author and illustrator Ed Young adapting China鈥檚 traditional take on the story of Little Red Riding Hood for an American audience. In this version, there鈥檚 not just one, but three children taking on the angry wolf. In addition to its compelling prose, the book features no shortage of vivid illustrations by Young, who听听for his work.听
Author: Faith Ringgold
Year: 1991
Winner of numerous awards, Faith Ringgold鈥檚 鈥淭ar Beach鈥�听takes place in 1939, and features a young girl who ascends to the rooftop of her apartment building in Harlem, and soon flies across the city like a bird. Before taking the form of a book, the story was part of听, entitled 鈥淲oman on a Bridge.鈥澨鼴oth the book and quilt series incorporate themes of liberation through fearless flight.
Author: David Wiesner
Year: 1991
Happy to let the illustrations do most of the talking, David Wiesner鈥檚 鈥淭uesday鈥�听utilizes no more than six words to get its point across. The result is a mesmerizing, unspoken journey that follows a group of frogs as they fly around on lily pads. In 2002, Paul McCartney himself would implement the work into an听, setting immaculate visuals to music.
Author: Lois Lowry
Year: 1993
Set in a futuristic society where pain and suffering have been supplanted by 鈥渟ameness,鈥澨齃ois Lowry鈥檚 鈥淭he Giver鈥�听follows a boy named Jonas, who is assigned with the task of听storing memories from the time before 鈥渟ameness鈥� came to be. As Jonas uncovers more memories and more secrets, he learns that the seeming听utopia in which he lives might be anything but. Published to mixed reviews, the book nevertheless听won a number of awards,听, and has since appeared on many 鈥渢op children鈥檚 book鈥� lists compiled by teachers and librarians. A big screen version was in development for over 15 years before finally debuting in 2014.
Author: Allen Say
Year: 1993
"Grandfather's Journey" follows a man as he travels by boat from Japan to America during the first half of the 20th century. The man then travels back and forth once more, eventually settling in Japan, but still consides California one of his two homes. When the man's grandson grows up, he takes the same journey, and understands how one person can call two places home. Thanks to Allen Say's breathtaking illustrations, the听.
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Author: Nikki Grimes
Year: 1994
Told through a series of poems and vivid illustrations, 鈥淢eet Danitra Brown鈥�听explores themes of friendship among two African American best friends. While guaranteed to strike a chord among African American readers, the book celebrates the joy of friendship at large. As for that poignant poetry, it comes to us from acclaimed writer Nikki Grimes, who grew up in Harlem and听
Author: Patricia Polacco
Year: 1994
Definitely not for the faint of heart, Patricia Polacco鈥檚 鈥淧ink and Say鈥�听is about a wounded Civil War deserter who鈥檚 saved by a former slave-turned-soldier. What follows is a harrowing ordeal that ties in themes of oppression, racial injustice, and brutality. At the end of the book, the author informs readers that the story is based on an oral tradition within her family, and that Say was, in fact, her great-great-grandfather. It might very well be a true story, but you鈥檒l wish it wasn鈥檛.听
Author: Luc铆a M. Gonz谩lez
Year: 1994
Culled from Cuban folklore, 鈥淭he Bossy Gallito/El Gallo De Bodas鈥�听tells the story of a greedy and pushy rooster who dirties his beak after eating a kernel of corn. While trying to clean his beak before an important wedding, the rooster learns important lessons about being conceited. The book is written in both Spanish and English, and filled with brilliant watercolor illustrations.听
Author: Gary Soto
Year: 1995
From writer Gary Soto and illustrator Susan Guevara comes 鈥淐hato鈥檚 Kitchen,鈥澨齛bout a cool gato (i.e. cat) in East L.A. who can鈥檛 believe his luck when a plump family of mice move in next door. To welcome their neighbors, Chato and his friend invite the mice over for dinner, naturally failing to mention that the invitees are in fact the main course. Meanwhile, the mice have ulterior plans of their own, in the form of a surprise guest. This was the first in a series from Soto, who鈥檇 already earned tons of acclaim for his poetry and young adult novels.听
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Year: 1995
Christopher Paul Curtis' "The Watsons Go to Birmingham鈥�1963,"听centers on a kind-hearted African American family from Michigan who drive to Birmingham in the midst of the civil rights movement, only to encounter horrific tragedy (and some moments of humor, too). While the award-winning book is technically classified as historical fiction, much of the story's events are听. In 2013, the book was adapted as a TV movie for the Hallmark Channel.
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Author: Kevin Henkes
Year: 1996
In 鈥淟illy鈥檚 Purple Plastic Purse鈥�听by Kevin Henkes, a young mouse named Lilly acts up in class to the chagrin of her favorite teacher, Mr. Slinger. In response, Mr. Slinger confiscates Lilly鈥檚 most prized possession: her plastic purple purse. Not one to be denied, Lilly quickly seeks revenge and learns some important lessons along the way. Brimming with memorable artwork and palpable emotion, the book has听.
Author: Louis Sachar
Year: 1998
Equal parts mystery and comedy, Louis Sachar鈥檚 鈥淗oles鈥�听follows young Stanley Yelnats IV, who鈥檚 wrongly convicted of theft and then sent to a juvenile correctional facility. Once there, Stanley is tasked with digging numerous holes in the desert as a form of听behavior modification, though he begins to think there鈥檚 more to the assignment than mere character building. In 2003, Disney turned the book into a movie, with Sachar handling screenwriting duties.
Author: J.K. Rowling
Year: 1998
A staple in every public and home library around the world, J.K. Rowling鈥檚 鈥淗arry Potter and the Sorcerer鈥檚 Stone鈥�听introduced readers to its titular hero, a young wizard who attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes close friends and mortal enemies, while learning the truth about himself and his deceased parents. When crafting the series, Rowling听. As anyone with even scant knowledge of pop culture will know, the book spawned multiple sequels, blockbuster movies, video games, LEGO sets, apps, and a theme park.
Author: Jules Feiffer
Year: 1999
A young dog named George seems to be having an identity crisis in Jules Feiffer鈥檚 鈥淏ark, George.鈥澨齋pecifically, when George鈥檚 mom asks him to bark, he meows, quacks, and moos instead. As it turns out, the dog is hosting a small bevy of livestock in his stomach. That makes for quite an interesting trip to the vet and, by extension, quite the unconventional children鈥檚 book.
Author: Simms Taback
Year: 1999
Based on a听, "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat" tells the story of Jewish farmer who keeps reinventing his overcoat as it gets more worn down听over time. Helping bring the story to life are a range of die-cut collages and watercolors. The book听, and additionally earned tons of acclaim from reviewers, teachers, and librarians.听
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Author: Louise Erdrich
Year: 1999
The first in a four-book series, Louise Erdrich鈥檚 鈥淭he Birchbark House鈥�听tells the story of an Ojibwe girl named Omakayas (which translates to 鈥渓ittle frog鈥�), starting in the year 1847. Drawing听, Erdrich fills the pages with meticulous details and vital insights into the culture. Also explored are themes of community, and how the livelihood of Omakayas and her family gets increasingly threatened by smallpox and the westward advances of ''the chimookoman'' (i.e. the white man).
Author: Pam Mu帽oz Ryan
Year: 2000
A wealthy Mexican girl loses her parents and has her luxurious life turned upside in Pam Mu帽oz Ryan鈥檚 鈥淓speranza Rising.鈥澨齋et in the 1930s, the book sees the title character migrating to California, where she experiences class and racial conflicts firsthand. Combining harsh realism with fairy tale archetypes, the historical fiction novel was published to wide acclaim听and hailed as a milestone in multicultural literature.
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Year: 2000
In Kate DiCamillo鈥檚 debut novel听鈥淏ecause of Winn-Dixie,鈥澨齛 young girl named Opal finds a stray dog and follows it around her small Florida town. As if by intuition, the dog brings Opal into touch with all sorts of interesting people, who soon become friends. The book won numerous awards鈥攊ncluding a Newbery Honor鈥攁nd inspired a 2005 film of the same name.听听
Author: Ian Falconer
Year: 2000
Writer and illustrator Ian Falconer鈥檚 debut work听鈥淥livia鈥�听takes readers into the life of its main character, an adorable but headstrong pig with an eye for fashion and a penchant for assorted pastimes. Falconer听, for whom he initially wrote the book. Numerous sequels would follow, as would a TV series.
Author: Mo Willems
Year: 2003
Mo Willems' first book for children鈥�"Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"鈥攄idn't just earn a Caldecott Honor, but won numerous awards and landed on a wide range of teacher and librarian lists. In the book, a pigeon emphatically tries to convince people it should drive the bus in the bus driver's absence. A 2010 animated adaptation was similarly acclaimed, winning a听Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video. But perhaps the greatest honor was a 2011 scientific study named directly after the book, which determined that pigeons are听.
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Author: Yuyi Morales
Year: 2003
Drawing from a well of cultural traditions, Yuyi Morales鈥� 鈥淛ust a Minute鈥�听uses both Spanish and English to depict Grandma Beetle as she fends off a death-like figure named Senor Calavera by performing a seemingly endless series of chores. It鈥檚 all in preparation for her own birthday party, which she wants to spend with her grandchildren. Festive and familial, the book also deals with heavy, important themes like the loss of loved ones. Ultimately, however, the story is celebratory in spirit, and rife with eye-catching illustrations.
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Year: 2003
More than just a bestselling author, Jacqueline Woodson was听. Among听her legion of powerful books, you鈥檒l find 鈥淟ocomotion,鈥澨齛bout a foster youth who learns how to express himself with the help of a mentor. Bolstered by sparse poetry, the book prompts readers to reevaluate the concept of 鈥渉ome.鈥澨�听
Author: Helen Recorvits
Year: 2003
A young Korean immigrant struggles to integrate into American society in Helen Recorvits鈥� 鈥淢y Name is Yoon.鈥澨鼺urther distinguishing the work are a number of unforgettable illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowska. On the heels of its publication, the book was听.
Author: Mem Fox
Year: 2004
In Mem Fox鈥檚 award-winning book (with illustrations by Judy Horacek), there鈥檚 a blue sheep, red sheep, and even a bed sheep, but where is the green sheep?听By keeping the green sheep out of sight, the author uses a simple premise in order听to build suspense. In other words, your child won鈥檛 stop flipping the pages until he or she finds that green sheep.
Author: Shaun Tan
Year: 2006
In Shaun Tan's wordless graphic novel听"The Arrival,"听a lonely immigrant father sets out to find work in order听to support his family. By infusing photorealistic illustrations with surrealist flourishes and progressive color schemes, the book relays a striking range of moods and narratives, all without using a single word.听
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Author: Mitali Perkins
Year: 2007
In 鈥淩ickshaw Girl鈥�听by Mitali Perkins, a young girl in a Bangladesh village helps support her family by painting decorations on rickshaws. Set in a patriarchal society, the book explores themes of gender roles, poverty, and bravery, with a protagonist who must initially pretend to be a boy in order听to get work. Drawing from the author鈥檚 own ancestry, the book furthermore exposes readers to the culture and language of Bangladesh.
Author: Brian Selznick
Year: 2007
Written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, 鈥淭he Invention of Hugo Cabret鈥� is a voluminous historical fiction novel that incorporates the听听(the man behind 1902鈥檚 "A Trip to the Moon"). In the book, an orphaned clock keeper鈥攚ho lives in the walls of a Paris train station鈥攗ncovers a message from his deceased father. That kicks off a compelling mystery involving stolen keys and automatons (i.e. mechanical wind-up figures), ending with a truly clever twist. In 2011, a film adaptation from Martin Scorsese hit theaters.
Author: Neil Gaiman
Year: 2008
In 鈥淭he Graveyard Book,鈥澨齪rolific author Neil Gaiman weaves a dark, fantastic tale about a boy who鈥檚 raised by ghosts after his parents are murdered. Gaiman first came upon the idea as early as 1985, when he watched his 2-year-old son听听noting how at ease his son seemed in such macabre surroundings. The resulting book wouldn鈥檛 come to fruition until decades later, going on to win a slew of awards.
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Year: 2008
In her Seeds of America series, author Laurie Halse Anderson explores American history through the lens of slavery, focusing on the experiences of a girl named Isabel. Kicking off the trilogy was 2008鈥檚 鈥淐hains,鈥澨齱hich takes place during the Revolutionary War, and sees Isabel and her sister fighting for their freedom after the promise of emancipation is taken away from them. While technically fiction, the series is littered with historical events. Anderson won the听.
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Year: 2009
Acclaimed illustrator Jerry Pinkney lets the graphics do all the talking in "The Lion and the Mouse,"听which features no words听whatsoever. Based on a classic fable, the book tells the story of a lion who decides at the last second to spare the life of a mouse, only to have his own life later saved by that very听same critter. Emanating with visual allure and striking distinction, the听.
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Author: Rebecca Stead
Year: 2009
The life of a young Manhattanite named Miranda spirals out of control in Rebecca Stead鈥檚 gripping novel听鈥淲hen You Reach Me.鈥澨齀ncorporating elements of science fiction and mystery alike, Stead arrived upon the听听while growing up in New York City. In preparation for the novel, she听. That preparation duly paid off, as Stead鈥檚 novel has appeared on many bestseller lists and won numerous awards.
Author: Philip Christian Stead
Year: 2010
Advocating kindness to all creatures big and small, 鈥淎 Sick Day for Amos McGee鈥� involves a zookeeper who enjoys a healthy and loving friendship with numerous animals, so much so that听they come to visit him when he鈥檚 feeling sick. Philip Stead wrote the book and his wife Erin听illustrated. Both the story and illustrations have a vintage quality to them, lending the book a truly听timeless aura.听, the book was additionally listed as one of the听听by the New York Times.
Author: Rukhsana Khan
Year: 2010
Sibling rivalry always makes for good storytelling, and Rukhsana Khan鈥檚 鈥淏ig Red Lollipop鈥�听is no exception. In the book, a young girl named Rubina is forced to take her younger sister, Sana, to a birthday party, where Sana proceeds to steal Rubina鈥檚 party favor, a big red lollipop. It鈥檚 a relatable premise filled with clever twists and turns, and brought vividly to life by way of artist Sophie Blackall鈥檚 stunning illustrations.
Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
Year: 2010
Winner of multiple awards, 鈥淥ne Crazy Summer鈥�听takes place in 1968, and involves three sisters from Brooklyn who visit their mother in Oakland. Set during the height of the civil rights movement, the book accordingly deals with themes of black pride and racial injustice. However, in spite of the heavy themes, author Rita Williams-Garcia manages to squeeze in plenty of humor, which enhances the story鈥檚 broad appeal. Two sequels would follow, both .听
Author: Grace Lin
Year: 2012
A companion to Grace Lin's award-winning novels "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" and "When the Sea Turned to Silver,"听"Starry River of the Sky"听tells the story of a remote village filled with strange inhabitants. Just how strange? When the moon goes missing from the sky, only one person seems to notice. However, after a mysterious woman with a knack for storytelling arrives in the village, a great transformation occurs. Pairing classic Chinese folklore with breathtaking illustrations, this book is not one to be missed.
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