Books that Belong in Every Family's Library

Mike Mulligan and More

by Virginia Lee Burton

This volume collects the favorites Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, The Little House, Katy and the Big Snow, and Maybelle the Cable Car. Burton’s stories are thoughtfully told, appealing to all ages, and beautifully illustrated. Age 4 and up

A Child’s Garden of Verses

by Robert Louis Stevenson

It’s hard to believe this collection was first printed in 1885. This collection includes classics such as “My Shadow” and “The Swing,” and is complete with Tasha Tudor’s wonderful illustrations. Age 4 and up.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst

Alexander goes to sleep with gum in his mouth and wakes up with gum in his hair and when he gets out of bed he trips on his skateboard and it just gets worse from there. This so-bad- it’s-good description of Alexander’s horrible day helps kids understand that everybody has bad days...even in Australia. Age 4 and up.

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

A touching story of a young boy and his favorite tree. Over the years, the tree gives the boy what he wants--and as the boy gets older, he wants more and more from the tree, until the tree has nothing left to give. Well, almost nothing. Age 3 and up.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

This whimsical story begins, “One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and--pop!--out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.” This charming book is full of the repetitions kids love--and Carle’s iconic collage illustrations of the hungry caterpillar and the beautiful butterfly be becomes. For the youngest child.

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown

This classic bedtime story walks the reader through a young child’s bedtime ritual, as he says good night to everything around: “Goodnight room. Goodnight moon. Goodnight cow jumping over the moon. Goodnight light, and the red balloon...” Parents everywhere have this story memorized, for good reason. For the youngest child.

Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

In this classic story, Max dons his wolf suit to make mischief--and ends up being sent to bed without supper. While stuck in his room, he sets out on an imaginative journey to the land of the Wild Things, where they make him King. He rules over the Wild Rumpus, but then returns home to his very own room, where his dinner is waiting for him--and it’s still warm. Age 4 and up.

Frog and Toad Are Friends

by Arnold Lobel

The 4 Frog and Toad books provide charming tales of friendship--with a hefty dose of “silly” mixed in. The journey begins with Frog and Toad Are Friends, which includes the stories “Spring,” “The Story,” “A Lost Button,” “The Letter,” and my personal favorite, “A Swim.” Wise enough for an adult to appreciate; simple enough for a child. Age 3 and up.

Books that Belong in Every Family's Library

Mike Mulligan and More

A Child’s Garden of Verses

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The Giving Tree

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Goodnight Moon

Where the Wild Things Are

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations
for every mood

Books that Belong in Every Family's Library

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations for every mood

100 Book recommendations
for every mood