All Time Classics

This is it! Our list of the best Children’s books of all time. We blended picture books, novels, new books and old works to generate the list. The oldest book is Aesop’s Fables, 600 BC. The newest is from 2017.

How was this list created? We did not set out to make a “top 100” list–settling on an arbitrary number seemed contrived. So, we generated a list of criteria and put all the candidate books through the same process. The criteria were:

Endurance of the story through time.
A book’s effect on children and their experience in the world.
Books that greatly influenced the direction of juvenile literature.
Possess outstanding literary quality.
Possess outstanding illustration.

The world of juvenile literature is broad and in constant flux. Different cultures and peoples have created stories for young people based on a multitude of factors. However, there are common themes that can be found throughout the best of juvenile literature: Fantasy, personification of animals and objects and a tendency to teach a moral lesson through story.

At present, there are 68 books on the list. We invite your input and comments. Did we omit a book that ought to be a part of the list? Is there a book on the list that has no business being on it? Please email us at admin@childrensbookstore.com with your input.

Agree or disagree with our rubric for how the list was generated, the indisputable truth is that each book on this list is an amazing piece of literature that deserves to be read.

Please browse these books and become acquainted or re-acquainted with amazing literature.

  • Add to cart

    Goodnight Moon

    Board Books
    $8.79
  • Add to cart
    $7.19
  • Add to cart
    $8.79
  • Add to cart
    $17.59
  • Add to cart
    $7.16
  • Add to cart
    $15.19
  • Add to cart

    The Mitten

    Board Books
    $7.99
  • Add to cart
    $7.19
  • Add to cart

    The Snowy Day

    Board Books
    $7.19
  • Add to cart
    $7.19
  • Add to cart
    $4.76
  • Add to cart
    $15.99
  • Add to cart
    $8.79
  • Add to cart
    $7.99
  • Add to cart
    $7.99
  • Add to cart
    $7.19

Showing 1–16 of 265 results