Classic Children's Books

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Let me tell you what I’m most excited to give my kids for Christmas. It’s not the cool bike we are giving Bug (it’s his first) and it’s not the Let’s Rock Elmo we’re giving Sis. It’s the two classic children’s books you see below. I love books. I’m talking real books with hard covers and crisp pages. I even love the smell of books. It shouldn’t be a surprise, my degree is in English literature. These books are must-have’s on any child’s preschool book list and were some of the first in our homeschool preschool.

Classic Children’s Book – My Favorites

Classic children's books every child should read

Buying these books for my kids was so much fun and I cannot wait to read the stories to them. For Bug I bought A.A. Milne’s The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh. These are the classic tales of the lovable Pooh Bear. You will find two stories – Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner in this gorgeous book. My hope is to sit down with the kids at story time and read a little bit of the book each day.

I honestly have never read the classic tales of Winnie the Pooh, so I’m excited to sort of relive childhood with my kids. The illustrations in this edition are beautiful and I am a very firm believer that books help the imagination grow. Sis is getting a gorgeous hardcover copy of Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales. I’m extremely excited about this one because it contains stories I read and loved as a child. Who doesn’t love The Tale of Peter Rabbit?

That’s just one story you’ll find. All of Beatrix Potter’s Tales are in here along with all of the beautiful illustrations. I know these two presents will probably be the least appreciated on Christmas morning. My kids are going to go crazy for the toys and the treats we have planned for them, but I also know something else. When all the treats are gone and the toys have been outgrown my kids will still have these books. They will have the memories of sitting down with their Mama and reading classic stories that have entertained children for generations.

They will hold onto these books their whole lives, I hope. Maybe one day they will read these same stories to their own children. That’s the power of classic children’s books. They often are not easily outdated and the best will last. They bring generations together and they can be loved by people of all ages. Buy your children real books.

Looking for another classic children’s book? Check out some more of our favorites below!

Classic Books with Favorite Characters for Toddlers

Goodnight Moon – My kids favorite bedtime story! This timeless classic by Margaret Wise Brown transports little kids to a quiet bedroom where we say goodnight to everything in the room and then we say goodnight to the moon!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – This beloved classic book by Eric Carle is for sure a favorite among toddlers. You’ll read about the caterpillar’s metamorphosis to a butterfly!
Harold and the Purple Crayon – This delightful book by Crockett Johnson follows Harold’s amazing journey with his purple crayon before he returns home for bedtime.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? – Here’s another fun book by Eric Carle. My kids have loved memorizing this book after I’ve read it a few times and then they read it with me.

Classic Picture Books for Younger Children

Tikki Tikki Tembo – This book by Arlene Mosel has been mesmerizing young children for years. It’s about the boy with a long name who fell down the well.
The Velveteen Rabbit – This story always makes me cry, but it’s such a sweet story about a little boy’s beloved rabbit. Readers of all ages will appreciate this heartwarming story.
The Little Engine that Could – This has to be one of the best books about perseverance. This classic picture book is a favorite of younger readers.
Little Bear – Little Bear is one of the first books I have my new readers read aloud. Little Bear is such a sweet little guy and Mother Bear is always there to make everything better!
Frog and Toad – The wholesome stories of Frog and Toad are some of our favorites!
Dr. Seuss Books – You’ll likely love or hate Dr. Seuss, but they have been a staple for little ones for generations.
The Giving Tree – Another super sweet story. If you’re looking for coming-of-age classics this is one to try.
Where the Wild Things Are – This classic book by Maurice Sendak is a favorite of little kids. It makes a wonderful bedtime story.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling – If you’re looking for a book that has stood the test of time, check out The Jungle Book.