There's no such thing as reading to your little one too early [1], right? And while we love all the new titles floating around out there, there's something particularly special about turning the pages of a classic children's book your parents read to you as a toddler [2]. Not sure exactly where to begin in your classic children's book quest? No problem! We've gone ahead and rounded up some of our favourite nostalgic books that your mini me is sure to love as much as you did at their age. Read through to get a look at some of the best options, and try not to buy them all in one fell swoop.
— Additional reporting by Katherine Stahl
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
There's a reason that Oh, the Places You'll Go! [3] ($11) shows up on millions of bookshelves. It's an overwhelmingly positive story that makes little ones feel like anything is possible. And, wow, that artwork!
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day [4] ($10) — a sweet story by Ezra Jack Keats — follows a boy named Peter who explores his neighborhood during the very first snowfall of the season. It's an absolute must for those chilly Winter months!
The Runaway Bunny
Since its publication in 1942, The Runaway Bunny [5] ($12) has taught generations of sleepy children about a mother's unconditional love. Seriously, can it get any more pure than that?
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Watch as several gorgeously illustrated animals prance across the pages of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? [6] ($5) in an effort to help the protagonist make his way through Eric Carle's colorful world.
Corduroy
Little kids will fall in love with the story of Corduroy [7] ($7), a brown bear who is patiently waiting on the shelf of a toy store to make a forever friend. It doesn't get much cuter than this 1968 classic.
Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon [8] ($9) is proof that some classics never go out of style. The quiet poetry of the words and the gentle illustrations make this the perfect book to send them off to sleep with.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
A modern classic that's celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar [9] ($16) lets children watch as the colorful critter eats his way through the pages of this beautifully illustrated book.
The Lorax
While The Lorax [10] ($12) is essentially a tale about caring for the environment, the 1971 classic is written so well that the kids don't even realize they're learning an important life lesson. Talk about a win-win.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This colorful classic — which was originally published in 1989 — is now available as a board book! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom [11] ($8) teaches little ones the alphabet by having every single letter race up a coconut tree. Find out what happens when they get too heavy!
Are You My Mother?
Dr. Seuss's Are You My Mother? [12] ($6) tells the story of a baby bird who falls from his nest and sets out in search of his mom, and makes a handful of new friends along the way.
A Chair For My Mother
A Chair For My Mother [13] ($15) centers on a girl named Rosa who saved all of her coins to help her mom and grandmother buy a comfy chair after they lose everything in a fire. This heartwarming story of hope has sold over a million copies since its 1982 publication.
Bread and Jam For Frances
Originally released in 1964, this adorable badger named Frances has a bit of an issue: she only eats bread and jam! Read along to see if this picky eater ever tries anything else. Parents can score a copy of Bread and Jam For Frances [14] ($6) on Amazon.
Green Eggs and Ham
Ever since it was published in 1960, Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham [15] ($6) has been a go-to for parents and kids alike. The silly story follows Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince a nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham is, without question, a delicious meal that everyone should enjoy. Who can blame him?!
Blueberries For Sal
See what happens when a little girl named Sal and her mom run into a friendly mama and baby bear while picking blueberries. Awarded the Caldecott Honor in 1949, Blueberries For Sal [16] ($16) is as cute as it gets.
Guess How Much I Love You
Guess How Much I Love You [17] ($14) follows two Nutbrown hares who need to get to the bottom of just how much they love each other.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
After deciding to go for a walk in the moonlight, Harold's world comes to life thanks to his trusty purple crayon. Little readers can learn how powerful creativity and imagination through Harold and the Purple Crayon [18] ($12), a longtime favorite.
The Giving Tree
Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree [19] ($14) tells the tale of a tree's unending gifts, presented to a boy throughout his life. Moving and tender, the book is truly a love story.
Links:
[1] https://www.popsugar.com/family/Benefits-Being-Reader-Child-40129156
[2] https://www.popsugar.com/family/20-Must-Have-Classic-Children-Books-31094490
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Places-Youll-Dr-Seuss/dp/0679805273/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Oh,+the+Places+You
[4] https://www.amazon.com/Snowy-Day-Ezra-Jack-Keats/dp/0670654000/ref=sr_1_2?crid=NC86H1OY0Y9Q&keywords=a+snowy+day&qid=1553703273&s=gateway&sprefix=a+snowy+,aps,120&sr=8-2&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[5] https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Bunny-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0060775823/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Runaway+Bunny&qid=1553706844&s=gateway&sr=8-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[6] https://www.amazon.com/Brown-Bear-What-First-Reader/dp/0805092447/ref=sr_1_2?crid=70QZ7GQZ7ZT2&keywords=brown+bear+brown+bear+what+do+you+see&qid=1553703035&s=books&sprefix=brown+bear,stripbooks,123&sr=1-2&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[7] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140501738/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0140501738&linkCode=as2&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[8] https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Moon-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0060775858/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Goodnight+Moon&qid=1553701134&s=books&sr=1-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[9] https://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Anniversary-Golden/dp/0525516190/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=The+Very+Hungry+Caterpillar&qid=1553701263&s=books&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[10] https://www.amazon.com/Lorax-Classic-Seuss-Dr/dp/0394823370/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39C5VLTO1RPHZ&keywords=the+lorax&qid=1553702881&s=books&sprefix=The+lorax,stripbooks,130&sr=1-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[11] http://www.amazon.com/Chicka-Boom-Board-Book/dp/1442450703?tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[12] https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Mother-P-D-Eastman/dp/0394800184/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Are+You+My+Mother?&qid=1553700835&s=books&sr=1-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[13] https://www.amazon.com/Chair-My-Mother-Vera-Williams/dp/068800914X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z0WZZZOJTSDI&keywords=a+chair+for+my+mother&qid=1553704207&s=gateway&sprefix=a+chair+for+my+mother,aps,122&sr=8-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[14] http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Jam-Frances-Russell-Hoban/dp/0062392379?tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[15] https://www.amazon.com/Green-Eggs-Ham-Dr-Seuss/dp/0394800168/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Green+Eggs+and+Ham&qid=1553700911&s=books&sr=1-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[16] https://www.amazon.com/Blueberries-Sal-Robert-McCloskey/dp/0670175919/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=blueberries+for+sale&qid=1553704234&s=gateway&sr=8-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[17] https://www.amazon.com/Guess-Lap-Size-Board-McBratney-2013-12-24/dp/B01FKSUDB2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3D4V7817U4N0B&keywords=guess+how+much+i+love+you&qid=1553704158&s=books&sprefix=Guess+Ho,stripbooks,131&sr=1-2&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[18] https://www.amazon.com/Harold-Purple-Crayon-Crockett-Johnson/dp/0060229357/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10RX41X9BKS5Y&keywords=harold+and+the+purple+crayon&qid=1553704120&s=gateway&sprefix=Harold+and+,aps,126&sr=8-1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
[19] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060256656/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060256656&linkCode=as2&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/Best-Classic-Books-Toddlers-45978861/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_45978861__t_w__d_d_
