Here is a list of some of our favorite books for children. We have arranged these by recommended age level as a starting guide, however you will know best of your child’s reading ability. This list is by no means definitive; we truly hope we have captured some of your favorites too.
Baby – 2 years
Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1947)
A beloved bedtime classic, both lovely and soothing. Beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle (1969)
It’s a counting book, a days of the week story, a tale of colors, a die-cut wonder, and a memorable read-aloud rolled up in one!
Where’s My Teddy?
By Jez Alborough (1994)
Eddie’s in for the surprise of his life when he discovers that his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle! But there’s fun in store when Eddie meets up with a real bear that has got just the opposite problem?
Dear Zoo
By Rod Campbell (2007)
This appealing story, in lift-the-flap, board-book format has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published in 1982
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
By Mem Fox & Helen Oxenbury (2011)
This charming first book is perfect for new arrivals
2-5 years
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
By Bill Martin, Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle (1967)
A gentle rhyming delight in a story time classic
Madeline
By Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
Sometimes when you’re the smallest you also have to be the bravest
Green Eggs and Ham
By Dr. Seuss (1960)
With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children’s classic
Time for Bed
By Mem Fox (1993)
This gentle board book, with its rhythmic verse and peaceful, loving illustrations will lull toddlers whether it’s bedtime, nap time, or simply time for a snuggle
Ten, Nine, Eight
By Molly Bang (1983)
A Bedtime Story! Includes a warm and reassuring countdown to the land of dreams
Each Peach Pear Plum
By Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1978)
This classic book from author and illustrator team Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a real favourite with families
The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters
By Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1986)
Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy
By Lynley Dodd (2001)
This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town
Meg and Mog
By Helen Nicholl & Jan Pienkowski (2004)
In this the first story about much-loved characters Meg the witch and Mog her cat, the pair go off to a wild Hallowe’en party with all the other witches
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams (1922)
The timeless story of a young boy and his treasured favorite toy, a splendid “fat and bunchy” rabbit, whose ears are lined with pink sateen
Mr Men & Little Miss
By Roger Hargreaves & Adam Hargreaves (1971 – 2014)
With almost 100 books in the combined Mr. Men and Little Miss Series, each book introduces a different title character and his/her single dominant personality to convey a simple moral lesson.
Where’s Spot?
By Eric Hill (1980)
This adorable picture book about Spot the dog is the first in the Spot series
Dogger
By Shirley Hughes (1977)
This is the endearing story of how Dogger, the much loved toy dog, was lost and finally found again
Lost and Found
By Oliver Jeffers (2005)
Once there was a sad, lonely penguin who appeared at the door of a young boy. The boy decided he must be lost, so he set off to find his home.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
By Judith Kerr (2009)
Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay for tea.
We’re going on a Bear Hunt
By Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury (2003)
Follow a father and his family as they go out in search of a bear.
The Elephant and the Bad Baby
By Elfrida Vipont & Raymond Briggs (2007)
One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and they set off on a great adventure.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
By Bill Martin Jr., Eric Carle (2011)
This charming verse story about how different animals behave is less well known than The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but more fun.
4-8 years
Princess Smartypants
By Babette Cole (1997)
Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty Princess means that all the Princes want her to become their wife.
Room on the Broom
By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (2003)
From former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and longtime collaborator Axel Scheffler comes this much-loved tale about a witch and her gang of friends.
The Cat in the Hat
By Dr. Seuss (1957)
An unexpected guest turns a rainy day into a heart-pounding adventure.
Gorilla
By Anthony Browne
Hannah’s favourite animals in the whole world are gorillas, but her dad is always too busy to take her to the zoo.
I Want My Hat Back
By Jon Klassen (2011)
A bear sets out in search of his hat – he loves his hat and he wants it back
Funny Bones
By Janet and Allan Ahlberg (1980)
In this, the first ever Funnybones book of all, we are introduced to the wonderful humour and fun of the much-loved series. The Funnybones books are a must for children just starting to learn to read – these funny skeletons are definitely not the scary sort!
The Little House
By Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
A heartwarming story of surviving change and finding just the right place for you.
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey (1941)
Mother duck has to keep her babies, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack in line. And it’s certainly nice to have a friend in your corner when trying to cross a busy Boston street.
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
By Lauren Child (2003)
Charlie tricks his younger sister, Lola – an extremely fussy eater – into eating all her least favourite foods.
Rumpelstiltskin
By Paul O. Zelinsky (1986)
Can you guess his name? Stunning paintings in the late medieval style take a classic fairy tale to new heights.
Would You Rather?
By John Burningham (2002)
Would you rather drink snail squash or eat mashed worms? Help a witch make stew? Tickle a monkey?
Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears
By Emily Gravett (2008)
Little Mouse is scared of most things, from creepy crawlies and loud noises, to getting lost.
Curious George
By Margret Rey and H.A. Rey (1973)
The first adventure in this highly popular series tells how the little monkey Curious George, caught in the jungle and brought back to the city by a man in a yellow hat, can’t help being interested in all the new things around him.
Father Christmas
By Raymond Briggs (1997)
The best book about Christmas, featuring an extremely grumpy Santa.
The Babar Collection
By Jean de Brunhoff (1931)
This charming collection of five French illustrated classics follows the adventures of the world’s best-loved elephant, Babar.
The Gruffalo
By Julia Donaldson (1999)
It’s hard to imagine a library without one of Donaldson’s catchy rhyming tales. The Gruffalo tells the story of a mouse, the protagonist of the book, taking a walk in the woods.
The Ladybird Tales Collection
Various Authors
With 24 books to read through, this collection deserves a place on every child’s bookshelf. Among the familiar fairy tales and stories included are Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Beauty and the Beast and The Ugly Duckling. This set of stories is simply perfect for sharing at bedtime.
Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales
Beatrix Potter (1902-1930)
You can’t have a library without Beatrix Potter. The complete collection contains all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s Tales in one volume with all their original illustrations.
The Princess and the Pea
By Lauren Child (2006)
Andersen’s original tale is expanded from a one-page gem into a humorous picture book that will delight the whole family. Color photographs of a cleverly designed, three-dimensional miniature world of dolls reveal wonderful details.
The Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book
By Iona and Peter Opie with illustrations by Joan Hassall (1964)
Containing every nursery rhyme you can possibly think of, this important collection is charmingly old fashioned.
Elmer
By David McKee (1989)
The first book about Elmer the elephant, a colorful character because of his patchwork hide and sense of humor, tries to blend in with the herd, but soon realizes that he’s happiest just being himself.
I Love You, Blue Kangaroo
By Emma Chichester Clark (1998)
Young readers will love this endearing story of sibling rivalry, loyalty, and lasting love. Every night when Lily goes to sleep, she says, “I love you, Blue Kangaroo!” And Blue Kangaroo cuddles up close to Lily and sleeps the whole night through.
6-11 years
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams (1952)
A story of true friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte A. Cavatica, his spider saviour.
Matilda
By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake (1988)
She may have the worst parents in the world and a truly terrifying headmistress, but thanks to her loving teacher Miss Honey, Matilda finds ways to outsmart all the villains in her life.
Winnie-the-Pooh
By A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (1926)
There is nothing like having a group of friends who are always there for you. Lovable quirks and all.
The Secret Garden
By Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)
The spoiled orphan Mary Lennox leaves India to live with her cold uncle in his dreary mansion in England. When Mary hears of a secret garden kept locked for ten years, she is determined to find it and bring it back to life.
The Wind in the Willows
By Kenneth Grahame (1908)
Since its beginnings as a series of stories told to Kenneth Grahame’s young son, The Wind in the Willows has become one of the best-loved children’s books ever.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
By Hugh Lofting (1920)
This is the original version of a story about a medical doctor with a remarkable ability: He can talk to and understand animals. This gets him into trouble with his human patients. Because he keeps some of his animals in his office, his patients leave him.
What Do People Do All Day?
By Richard Scarry (1968)
Scarry’s immensely detailed books about everyday life can lead to some good conversations, and are great for children who need to know how things work.
The Snowman
By Raymond Briggs (1986)
James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.
Famous Five
By Enid Blyton (1942 – 1963)
A series of children’s novels featuring the adventures of a group of young children; Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina (George) and their dog Timmy.
The BFG
By Roald Dahl (1982)
A beloved classic! For many years’ readers have been enchanted by this story of young Sophie and the benevolent Big Friendly Giant; inspired by Roald Dahl’s own granddaughter.
Anne of Green Gables
By LM Montgomery (1908)
This is the first in the captivating series about the red-headed orphan, published originally in 1908, and the one that covers her early childhood.
The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen
By Hans Christian Andersen
Andersen’s fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in our collective consciousness, presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity.
9 years +
The Railway Children
By E Nesbit (1906).
Three children, forced to alter their comfortable lifestyle, move with their mother to a simple cottage near a railway station where their days are filled with excitement and adventure.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
By L Frank Baum (1900)
After a cyclone scoops them up with their Kansas farmhouse, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves transported to Oz, a magical land that is home to diminutive munchkins, witches wicked and good, flying monkeys, and all manner of marvelous creatures and beings.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By C.S. Lewis (1950)
The old theme of good against evil is restated in a tale that creates its own world of magic.
The Adventures of Tintin
By Hergé (1929 – 1976)
Tintin is a young Belgian reporter who becomes involved in many dangerous cases in which he takes heroic action to save the day.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll (1865)
A little girl falls down a rabbit hole and into strange and magical adventures.
Harry Potter Boxed Set
By J K Rowling (2007). Contains all seven novels.
A down-trodden orphan is summoned to an elite academy of wizards to fulfill his destiny.
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott (1868)
This timeless favorite follows the four March sisters—pretty Meg, tomboy Jo, shy Beth, and vain Amy—as they grow and mature into four distinctive little women
The Little White Horse
By Elizabeth Goudge (1946)
When orphaned young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she’s entered Paradise. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort.
The Little Prince
By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)
An allegorical tale of a stranded pilot and a boy from beyond the stars. “One sees clearly only with the heart.”
The Diary of a Young Girl
By Anne Frank (1947)
This classic Second World War diary is among the most enduring documents of the twentieth century. Since its publication in 1947, it has been read by tens of millions of people all over the world. It remains a beloved and deeply admired testament to the indestructible nature of the human spirit.
Little House Series
By Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
Laura Ingalls heads west toward the prairie with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters, Mary and Carrie, and their good old bulldog, Jack. They traveled far each day in their covered wagon, driving through tall grass until they found just the right spot for their new home.
