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The 10 Best Children's Books of All Time
These children's classics are the picture books and early novels families still buy most today, many of them decades after they were first published. They are perfect for reading aloud, for first readers and for building a lifelong love of books. Ages range from babies and toddlers to around twelve.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!#1Oh, the Places You'll Go!
by Dr. Seuss · first published 1990
Why it is on the list: Sold 566,771 US print copies in 2025 and topped the 2024 backlist hardcover list.
Dr. Seuss sends the reader off on life's journey, with its high points, slumps and waiting places, and a cheerful reminder that you can find your way. A favourite gift for graduations and new beginnings.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 566,771 print copies in 2025, No. 2 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Sold 606,491 print copies in 2024, No. 1 on PW's children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Named to the NEA's Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children; reached No. 1 on USA Today's list in 2021 and 2022 (source)
- Random House edition ISBN 9780679805274 (source)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar#2The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle · first published 1969
Why it is on the list: Sold 565,688 US print copies in 2025, a top-three children's backlist hardcover; No. 2 in SLJ's poll.
A tiny caterpillar eats its way through a week of foods, page by page, before a big change. A bright board-book favourite that teaches counting and days of the week to toddlers.
Evidence and sources
- Board book sold 565,688 print copies in 2025, No. 3 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Sold 520,167 print copies in 2024 (PW Circana children's hardcover backlist) (source)
- Sold more than 55 million copies in the US (New York Times, cited) (source)
- Ranked No. 2 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Named in Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime coverage (source)
- Philomel edition ISBN 9780399226908 (source)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?#3Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr. (illus. Eric Carle) · first published 1967
Why it is on the list: Over 516,000 copies in 2025; the oldest book in that year's overall US top 20.
A brown bear, a red bird and a parade of colourful animals each answer the title question in simple, rhythmic lines. Eric Carle's bold collage art makes it a perfect first book for colours and animals.
Evidence and sources
- Board book sold 516,043 print copies in 2025, No. 4 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- The oldest book in 2025's overall top 20 US print bestsellers (Publishers Weekly, via RA for All) (source)
- Ranked No. 38 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Henry Holt hardcover ISBN 9780805047905 (source)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom#4Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault (illus. Lois Ehlert) · first published 1989
Why it is on the list: Over 407,000 copies sold in 2025, a top-10 children's backlist hardcover; No. 23 in SLJ's poll.
The letters of the alphabet race each other up a coconut tree, until the tree can't hold them all. A bouncy, chantable rhyme with bright art that makes learning the ABCs fun.
Evidence and sources
- Board book sold 407,556 print copies in 2025, No. 8 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Sold 464,053 print copies in 2024 (PW Circana children's hardcover backlist) (source)
- Ranked No. 23 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Aladdin board book ISBN 9781442450707 (source)
Goodnight Moon#5Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown · first published 1947
Why it is on the list: Sold over 363,000 US copies in 2025, nearly 80 years after publication; No. 4 in SLJ's poll.
A little bunny says goodnight to everything in a cosy green room as night falls. The classic bedtime book for babies and toddlers.
Evidence and sources
- Board book sold 363,673 print copies in 2025, No. 11 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Estimated 48 million copies sold by 2017 (Smithsonian, cited) (source)
- Ranked No. 4 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Included in Library of Congress Books That Shaped America (source)
- HarperTrophy edition ISBN 9780064430173 (source)
Green Eggs and Ham#6Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss · first published 1960
Why it is on the list: Sold over 336,000 US copies in 2025; No. 12 in SLJ's Top 100 Picture Books poll.
Sam-I-Am will not stop offering a grumpy friend a plate of green eggs and ham, in every place imaginable. A funny beginner reader, written with only 50 different words, about trying something new.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 336,799 print copies in 2025, No. 14 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Sold 359,511 print copies in 2024, No. 10 on PW's children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Ranked No. 12 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Random House Beginner Books edition ISBN 9780394800165 (source)
Where the Wild Things Are#7Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak · first published 1963
Why it is on the list: Sold about 290,000 US copies across hardcover and paperback in 2025; Caldecott winner, SLJ's No. 1.
Sent to bed without supper, a boy in a wolf suit sails off to an island of wild creatures who make him their king. A short, imaginative picture book for ages 3 to 7.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 147,720 hardcover (No. 64) and 143,941 paperback (No. 29) print copies in 2025 (PW Circana children's backlist lists) (source)
- Won the 1964 Caldecott Medal; over 19 million copies sold worldwide as of 2009 (source)
- Ranked No. 1 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books poll (source)
- Included in Library of Congress Books That Shaped America (source)
- Harper hardcover ISBN 9780060254926 (Harvard Book Store) (source)
Holes#8Holes
by Louis Sachar · first published 1998
Why it is on the list: Sold 213,000+ US copies in 2025, a top-five children's paperback backlist title; Newbery winner.
Wrongly sent to a desert camp where boys dig holes all day, Stanley Yelnats starts to suspect the warden is searching for something. A clever, funny mystery-adventure for ages 9 to 12.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 213,275 print copies in 2025, No. 5 on PW's Circana children's paperback backlist list (source)
- Sold 225,435 print copies in 2024 (PW Circana children's paperback backlist) (source)
- Won the 1999 Newbery Medal and the 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature (source)
- Ranked No. 6 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Children's Novels poll (source)
- Dell Yearling edition ISBN 9780440414803 (source)
The Cat in the Hat#9The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss · first published 1957
Why it is on the list: Sold over 206,000 US copies in 2025; a Library of Congress 'Book That Shaped America'.
On a rainy day, two bored children get a visit from a mischievous cat who turns their house upside down. A rhyming early reader that makes learning to read fun for ages 3 to 7.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 206,371 print copies in 2025, No. 28 on PW's Circana children's hardcover backlist list (source)
- Included in Library of Congress Books That Shaped America (source)
- More than 10 million copies printed as of 2007; No. 36 in SLJ's 2012 Top 100 Picture Books (source)
- Random House edition ISBN 9780394800011 (source)
Charlotte's Web#10Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White · first published 1952
Why it is on the list: Sold over 195,000 US paperbacks in 2025; No. 1 in SLJ's Top 100 Children's Novels poll.
A gentle pig named Wilbur is saved by the clever spider Charlotte, who spins words into her web. A funny, tender story about friendship for ages 7 and up and for reading aloud.
Evidence and sources
- Sold 195,356 print copies in 2025, No. 12 on PW's Circana children's paperback backlist list (source)
- Sold 207,700 print copies in 2024 (PW Circana children's paperback backlist) (source)
- Ranked No. 1 in School Library Journal's 2012 Top 100 Children's Novels poll (source)
- Newbery Honor book (1953); over 45 million copies sold (source)
- Included in Library of Congress Books That Shaped America (source)
- Ranked No. 7 in The Great American Read (source)
- Harper paperback ISBN 9780064400558 (source)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best children's book of all time?
On our list it is Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. Sold 566,771 US print copies in 2025 and topped the 2024 backlist hardcover list.
Which children's book should I read first?
Start with the top three: Oh, the Places You'll Go!, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. They are the most popular books in this genre right now, and each one is a good way into the rest of the list.
Are these books still popular today?
Yes. Every book here has evidence of strong sales or readership from the last few years, which you can see under “Evidence and sources” on each book. That is the main difference between this list and lists that only look back at history.
How often is this list updated?
We review it about once a month against current bestseller charts and change a book only when the evidence clearly changes.
Apart from this list, see the books we love most, hand-picked by QuickOnlineTips.
How we chose these books
1. Still selling and read today
Every book shows current demand from roughly the last three years: Audible best-seller charts (Audible is owned by Amazon), US independent bookstore bestseller lists from the American Booksellers Association, Publishers Weekly and Circana BookScan sales figures, and similar charts. Old books that nobody buys any more do not make the cut.
2. Stood the test of time
Every book was first published at least five years ago and has a lasting credential: a major award (such as the Pulitzer, Booker, Newbery or Hugo), a place on a respected all-time list (such as the Modern Library 100, TIME 100 or the BBC Big Read), or very large total sales.
3. Suitable for most readers
We leave out books built around explicit sexual content or graphic abuse, and books best known for being banned. Some books on the list deal with hard themes such as war, crime or loss, and the summaries say so.
Within each genre, books are ranked with current popularity weighted most, then lasting reputation. We review the list about once a month and swap a book only when the evidence clearly changes.
Book covers: Open Library. Links to each book go to Amazon. Last reviewed: October 2026.
More of the best books of all time
See the full 200 best books of all time list, or explore more fiction genres: Classic Novels, Literary Fiction Books, Historical Fiction Books, Romance Novels, Mystery and Thriller Books, Science Fiction Books, Fantasy Books, Horror Books, Young Adult Books.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.
