The 25 Greatest Kids Books of All Time

This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.

About this list

Forbes, 25 Books

This list is a compilation of 'The 25 Greatest Kids Books Of All Time,' curated by Forbes contributor Sughnen Yongo. The selection criteria for the list include reader reviews, legacy, and critical acclaim, highlighting books that offer comfort, valuable lessons, and imaginative narratives for children. The methodology is rooted in the enduring impact and recognition of the books, featuring classics that have been beloved across generations. The list reflects a diverse array of storytelling, from imaginative tales to narratives infused with moral lessons, aimed at engaging and inspiring young readers.

This list was originally published in 2024 and was added to this site over 1 year ago.

View: List Grid Table
Rank Book Authors Year Country Language Actions
693 Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls Wilder 1935 American English
1823 Stuart Little E. B. White 1945 American English
35 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll 1865 British English
1346 Matilda Roald Dahl 1988 British English
636 Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown 1947 American English
1821 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle 1969 American English
17152 Sulwe Lupita Nyong’o 2019 Unknown English
778 The Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss 1957 American English
250 Anne of Green Gables L. M. Montgomery 1908 Canadian English
1377 Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl 1964 British English
234 The Chronicles of Narnia C. S. Lewis 1950 British English
293 A Wrinkle In Time Madeleine L'Engle 1962 American English
236 Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone J. K. Rowling 1997 British English
2088 Madeline Ludwig Bemelmans 1939 Austrian English
17152 Three Little Pigs Steven Kellogg 1985 American English
823 The Snowy Day Ezra Jack Keats 1962 American English
14875 The Real Mother Goose Blanche Fisher Wright 1916 American English
17152 Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss 1990 American English
16879 The Runaway Bunny Margaret Wise Brown 1942 American English
1014 The Tale of Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter 1902 British English
165 Winnie the Pooh A. A. Milne 1926 British English
13941 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Bill Martin Jr. 1989 American English
14768 How The Grinch Stole Christmas! Dr. Seuss 1957 American English
2195 The Giving Tree Shel Silverstein 1964 American English
320 Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak 1963 American English