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July 3, 2013 | 59 Comments

27 Vintage Books Every Child Should Read

classic kids books Reading with my children is probably my absolute favorite thing to do but when I can read books from my own childhood with them it’s even better. Most of these vintage books are favorites from my childhood but are also loved by my children.  There is something extra special about reading books you loved as a child with your own children. Do you have a favorite that I didn’t list? Add it in the comments so we can keep this list growing.

vintage children's books

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi and Ron Barrett has long been a favorite. This book takes you to another dimension in the way usually reserved for longer books or movies. In just a few pages you will dive into the land of Chewandswallow and its magical weather. See Chewandswallow is a place where the food falls from the sky. Instead of rain or snow they get hot dogs and a drizzle of soda, or peas and carrots! Things started going wrong in Chewandswallow though and the weather went nuts! I love asking children what food they wished fell from the sky and why after reading this book.

madeline

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans was a childhood favorite and I remember being a little girl and thinking I want to be just like Madeline because she was so brave. She wasn’t afraid of anything and what always struck me was how proud she was of her scar. Something that little girls are told by society to hide because it makes us less than perfect physically. But Madeline hikes up her nightgown and shows it off. Of my childhood heroines Madeline was right up there with Anne Shirley, Annie, and Brigitta from Sound of Music. As a teacher and parent, I adore Bemelmans’ rhymes which at times are a stretch. But in a way that gets kids thinking about what does and doesn’t rhyme.

vintage12

The Berenstain Bears’  Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain has been on my bookshelf as long as I have been able to read. I love this book and maybe its nostalgia or maybe it’s because I remember connecting with Brother Bear as he stepped into the unknown. This is a great book, and is especially powerful for children who are familiar with the characters. If a character they know has to move too, the unknown isn’t so scary.  Don’t overlook this book just because it’s part of a character franchise.

very hungry caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle. I remembering being amazed that the caterpillar turned into that huge colorful butterfly! In university, while studying elementary education I chose this book as the literary inspiration for a cross-curricular unit study for grade 1.  I made math lessons with fruit, science lessons about observing insects and the butterfly life cycle and health lessons about smart food choices. Then teaching preschool I used this awesome book to teach the days of the week, basic counting and more.

When I was pregnant I chose this book along with a few other favorites to be my son’s nursery theme. Now, that my daughter is 3 we often pull down the Very Hungry Caterpillar felt board and play with it as we read the story just like I did with her brother. To me, this book is a given, and for every stage of my life, student, student teacher, teacher, mother it has come along for the ride!

Babar and Father Christmas

Babar and Father Christmas  by Jean De Brunhoff was one of my very favorite Christmas stories as a child. As an adult, I have had some great belly laughs at some of its writing . Babar books in general beg to be pre read , just trust me. In this book  Babar goes looking for Father Christmas because he wants to ask him to visit Elephant country. He searches all over Paris and finally ends up in the North Pole and finds after much effort Father Christmas. I love the details in this book, as a child I would lay looking at the pictures of Santa’s workshop and imagine what visiting it would be like. As an adult I appreciate the smallest details like how Father Christmas’s flying machine (not a sled) has P.N #1 on it , meaning of course Pere Noel #1.

vintage books for kids

Babar and Zephir by Jean De Brunhoff was my favorite of all the Babar books, most of which I have tracked down and bought on ebay. What I loved about this book was we got to see where Zephir came from, and go see the fantastic world of hanging houses in Monkeyville. Babar books are always interesting to read again as an adult and this one is no exception. Zephir comes to the rescue when a mermaid princess becomes a hostage. Odd yes,  but it enthralled me as a child and when I read it to my own kids, it fascinated them it as well.

strega nona

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola delighted me as a child and still does. I love the author’s interpretation of the familiar magic pot folktale . Strega Nona’s magic pasta pot is very powerful and when a villager thinks he can control it hilarity ensues.

corduroy

Corduroy by Don Freeman was a childhood favorite of mine and it hasn’t lost any of its shine over the years. The story is about a lonely bear at a department store who despite being a little disheveled finds a forever home with a kind little girl who needs him as much as he needs her. There are so many levels to this book, as a child, I remember being awed by the thought of toys coming alive in stores when the doors are locked and the shoppers leave. As an adult, I see this as a touching adoption story . My son loves the escalators Corduroy travels on in the store ! This is another book that has lasting power and can be read for years in your home.

babies

Babies (So Tall Board Books) by Gyo Fujikawa was an especially desired book to me when I was little because it belonged to my older sister. The books is really very simple and it’s really just about what babies do all day. Trust me though it will be a hit with toddlers.

harold

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is the classic story of Harold who draws his own world and goes on great adventures only to realize what he wants to draw most is a home to come back to. This is a story about imagination, problem solving and one really cool and apparently unbreakable crayon. My kids love it and reading it to them takes me back to my own childhood and the inspiration to create my own imaginary worlds.

The duchess bakes a cake

The Duchess Bakes a Cake by Virginia Kahl. I had to search this book out. I had forgotten the title and author. All I remembered was that there was a child named Gunhilde! Thank goodness for Google! The story is very sweet with the Duchess giving her staff the day off because she wants to bake a cake for her family. Unfortunately, things go awry. The cake ends up huge with the Duchess stuck on top of it high in the air! Luckily the Duchess finds a solution and fixes things in the end.

I loved two things about this book as a child. First, the idea of everyone eating a giant cake to save the Duchess. Then, the Duchess was taller than the Duke. I remember finding that funny and I didn’t know a wife could be taller than her husband. That’s the beauty of vintage books, even picture books open children up to new experiences.

Busy People

Joe Kaufman’s Book About Busy People and How They Do Their Work by Joe Kaufman was such a big part of my childhood that I was nervous sharing it with my son, worried he’d reject it. He gobbled it up even though it is terribly out of date. ( I think it was when I read it too!)  The book is all about different jobs and all the responsibilities of them. I loved Trudy Teacher and like my son who loved Fred Fireman, I skipped Carlos the Clown. Even as outdated as it is, it’s useful for learning about community helpers. I didn’t notice the diversity of the jobs and people in the book as a child but appreciate it as a parent.

leo

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus . This book it’s a simple story about Leo who isn’t doing what all the other animals his age are doing. His dad is more than a little anxious but Leo blooms in his own good time. I loved this book as a child. As the youngest child, I always felt behind the curve always having to play catch up. I could relate to Leo.  As an adult, vintage books like this are more for parents and is a great reminder to chill out. Let our kids bloom in their own time and in their own way.

The_Story_of_Ferdinand

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf is a classic tale about doing your own thing and not letting any amount of pressure change you.  I don’t ever remember reading this book as a child but I know many parents who do. Ferdinand is a bull but just because he is a bull doesn’t mean he wants to fight in the bull ring. I love the message this book has about being who you are no matter what environment you are in. Kids love this book because it’s funny, the text is just the right length and the illustrations are so expressive.

Blurberries for Sal

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey is a true classic, written in 1948 it’s a simple tale about a little girl and her mom collecting blueberries to can. While mama picks them, Sal eats them and wanders off. But they aren’t the only mama and baby out gathering blueberries. This book is chill and sweet. The black and white illustrations make readers feel like they are on top of the mountain gathering blueberries too.

 

 

seasons in fern hollow

The Seasons in Fern Hollow by John Patience. This book takes a cute look at the world of Fern Hollow where a large cast of animal characters live in a small idyllic English village. The book itself is sweet, going through village life one season at a time. My favorite thing about this book and the others by the same author was the map of the village at the start and end of each book in the series. I would lay in bed staring at the map, finding different ways to get from one character’s house to another. This book inspired my imagination.

george

Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret and H.A. Rey.  I adored this book as a child. Even though hospitals have changed a lot since this book was written, the story still rings true.  I remember reading this book before having to go to the hospital as a child and finding comfort in it. George gets into some trouble with a puzzle and ends up in the hospital with a bad tummy ache. It turns out that he swallowed a piece! The meat of the story is really the inside look at what happens in a hospital and how it’s really nothing to be afraid of.  It’s a great book to read when you need to calm fears before a hospital stay.

best word book ever

Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever (Golden Bestsellers Series)is on a shelf in our playroom ( see if you can find it in this post ) , well the French edition that I flipped through as a young girl in Canada growing up. I loved the same things about it back then that my kids do today. The incredibly detailed pictures offer an unparalleled launching pad for a young imagination.

banned books 5

In the Night Kitchen (Caldecott Collection) by Maurice Sendak is one of the many vintage books I remember exactly where I was when I first read it ; Coquitlam Public Library sitting in the shag carpeted row boat amazed that the main character Mickey had no clothes .  Mickey falls out of bed and into the night kitchen where the bakers try to bake him. Ultimately he saves the day and falls back into bed and back to sleep. For me, this story is about power and freedom. How kids don’t get to feel that day to day but free from reality at night in their sleep they can.

Even as a little girl giggling at the pictures in the book I read the words and felt the freedom from being little that Mikey felt. When I read it to my son he giggled and giggled at Mickey’s body. I was sorta hoping he’d be more mature than I was at 5. We always expect the best from our kids right? Like me, he understood the heart of the story and expressed that Mickey was naked because he was dreaming and got to do whatever he wanted.

Where_The_Wild_Things_Are

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak probably doesn’t need an introduction but if by chance you are not familiar with this book, it’s a story of a little boy Max who is sent to his room for being wild and his imagination turns it into another world, filled with Wild Things he gets to control and freedom from rules. Ultimately though Max’s heart pulls him back home where he is loved best of all, even when he’s wild. I read this to my son all the time. Even though he can read the words effortlessly now he always asks me to read it. Because it’s just not right any other way.

 

 

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree  by Shel Silverstein. This book makes me incredibly sad. I don’t like how horrid the boy is to the tree, how spineless the tree is. I never saw it as a lesson in giving like so many do but a lesson in taking. Recently, I read it to my son and we talked. We had a great talk about taking advantage of those who love us, and how it hurts everyone.  Yes  I don’t like this book but it is useful. It can be a great tool for teaching children about what makes a bad friend. I have never hidden that I don’t like this book because it’s so sad. But that as a lesson, it’s worth the sad story.

Amos & Boris

Amos & Boris by William Steig is a touching story about the power of an unlikely friendship and helping others. Boris the whale rescues Amos the mouse when he goes overboard in the middle of the ocean. After the rescue, they develop a tender friendship despite their obvious differences. Then, they go on their separate ways with full hearts. Many years later though it is Amos’ turn to rescue Boris. We are all reminded that size does not equal ability to help a friend. This book made my son get “the gulpy feeling” which is our expression for tearing up. It’s a powerful story.

sylvester and the magic pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig is one of the vintage books many of you may recognize from your own childhood. I remember the sweet story from my own. Sylvester is a little donkey who finds a magic pebble and after discovering that it grants wishes he makes a terrible mistake and turns himself into a rock. As a rock he is unable to wish himself back into a donkey and is left to sit silently while his parents are frantic, search and finally grieve. Sylvester almost gives up himself until by chance his parents come across his rock and the magic pebble and he turns back into his “true self”.

My son loved the story and I loved how when we talked about it he expressed so much empathy for Sylvester and his parents. The obvious message that you have to be careful what you wish for is a powerful one for kids learning about consequences. The other messages which for us were the more important ones were that family bonds can break through anything and that no matter what even if he is a rock I would never give up on him.

monster at the end of the book

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone will be instantly recognizable to many of you. We didn’t grow up with Elmo (well maybe some of you young whippersnappers did). We had Grover. Loveable blue monster and narrator of this story.  This book is completely interactive in that Grover is speaking directly to the reader and asking them not to turn the pages. It put me in fits of giggles as a child. But as a mom, I love the reminder to never judge a book by its cover.Alexander and the terrible horrible no good very bad day

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst was another childhood favorite that I have enjoyed sharing with my own son. This book is beautiful, even though it may take a few reads. It’s not a story about a whining little boy so much a lesson that sometimes things do not go our way. Days can suck. It’s just the way it is. As a child, I related to Alexander’s feelings of frustration and things being unfair. How often to you hear a child say “No Fair!” probably a lot. This book taps into that feeling, being little is hard. But just because you are mad, or your day was bad, doesn’t mean you get your way.

Great book to talk about anger and frustration with your child, and it’s funny too! The magic of this Vintage book is that the end isn’t happy. Alexander goes to bed still mad and that’s okay, sometimes days are bad.

Which vintage books did I miss? Add your favorites that I didn’t mention in the comments.

 

 

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Filed Under: Children's Book Reviews, Preschool Book Lists | 59 Comments

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59 Comments

  1. Anna says

    July 3, 2013 at 4:44 am

    So our childhood books are now vintage? Agh! I guess I already knew that since I saw all the old Fisher Price toys selling for big bucks on ebay 🙂

    Great list! We love a lot of these at our house too. My kids love Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel — now that one’s an antique!

    to Anna" aria-label='reply to this comment to Anna'>reply to this comment
    • Catherine says

      July 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      Oh yes! Any Virginia Lee Burton book is a must read. The Little House is my favorite and my kids have loved listening to it on CD.

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      • Megan says

        January 29, 2021 at 11:36 am

        Johnny Lion, Johnny Lion’s Rubber Boots, and Johnny Lion’s Bad Day by Edith Thatcher Hurd!

        to Megan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Megan'>reply to this comment
    • Nanny says

      February 15, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      Hey! The Mouse and the Motorcycle didn’t make the list? I remember our librarian reading it to us on Library day in Kindergarten ❤

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  2. Angela says

    July 3, 2013 at 8:02 am

    You are the only person outside my family that I’ve ever seen talk about Gyo Fujikawa. His book Come Follow Me to the World of Fairies and Elves is one of my very favorite books of all time. http://www.amazon.com/Fujikawas-Follow-Secret-Fairies-Gnomes/dp/0448043033/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372863711&sr=8-1&keywords=come+follow+me+gyo+fujikawa

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  3. Ruth Petty says

    July 3, 2013 at 8:10 am

    I had to share this on my blog, it is a great list. Thank you for the compilation.

    to Ruth Petty" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ruth Petty'>reply to this comment
  4. Kirstylee @ Moms Have Questions Too says

    July 3, 2013 at 11:29 am

    I absolutely love this list. It has a ton of my childhood favorites as well as a bunch I’ve never heard of. I can’t wait to read the new ones. Thanks! 🙂

    to Kirstylee @ Moms Have Questions Too" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kirstylee @ Moms Have Questions Too'>reply to this comment
    • Marie says

      May 26, 2020 at 8:47 am

      I AM DOING N WRITERS COURSE FOR CHILDREN AGE 2-5 YEARS. YOU WONT BELIEVE AS ANY OF THE BOOKS YOU MENTIONED WHICH YOU LOVED AS A CHILD and often read to your own child are the ones which are often chosen to be discussed by my trainer.

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  5. Stephanie says

    July 3, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Great list. A lot of these are family favorites here, especially the giving tree.

    to Stephanie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Stephanie'>reply to this comment
  6. Emma says

    July 3, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    One of my favorite books when I was younger was “Baby Dear” by Esther Wilkin. I’m delighted that now my 4-year-old likes it too!

    to Emma" aria-label='reply to this comment to Emma'>reply to this comment
    • D says

      October 14, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      I received Baby Dear as a 4 year old when my brother was born! I still have my copy.

      to D" aria-label='reply to this comment to D'>reply to this comment
    • Martie says

      September 1, 2020 at 7:38 am

      I read Baby Dear to my daughter when her new baby sister arrived. Now I’m reading it to my granddaughter because she has a new baby sister. Yes it’s the same book- I can’t bear to part with my kids favorite books!

      to Martie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Martie'>reply to this comment
  7. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    July 3, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Many of my favorites made your list – yay! There were a few here that my daughter’s haven’t read that I totally forgot about & want to share with them so I wrote them down in the hopes of getting to them soon. Thanks for sharing!

    to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas'>reply to this comment
  8. Tara Ziegmont says

    July 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    I love almost all of these, but I have to disagree on The Giving Tree. It’s definitely on my most hated list. 😉

    I’d also add the Frog and Toad books. They’re so old and so wonderful.

    to Tara Ziegmont" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tara Ziegmont'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      July 3, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      Mine too. I hate it. I know it’s a strong word but it’s how I feel. I think one reading is useful just for the lesson of how not to be the tree or the boy.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
    • Joy says

      August 7, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Amen! The Giving Tree is one I would never read to my kids at school. Absolutely the wrong way to live a life.

      to Joy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Joy'>reply to this comment
      • Suzanne Price says

        March 24, 2022 at 9:12 am

        As a children’s rare bookseller, I keep note of books which have the longest, sappiest gift inscriptions. Make of it what you will, t
        he Giving Tree tops the list, by far!

        to Suzanne Price" aria-label='reply to this comment to Suzanne Price'>reply to this comment
        • Allison McDonald says

          March 30, 2022 at 3:54 pm

          That is so cool and doesn’t surprise me at all.

          to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  9. Sarah says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    What a truly wonderful list!! There are some of my favorites and already on my agenda and schedule for my blog, and then (and this is the VERY wonderful part–) there are some I HAVEN’T HAD THE JOY OF READING YET! I am very excited. This Friday, btw, I am featuring Gyo Fujikawa, the author of BABIES and so many other sweet and adventurous books. Thank you very, very much.

    to Sarah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sarah'>reply to this comment
    • Angela says

      July 3, 2013 at 7:21 pm

      Sarah, what’s your blog? I’d love to see that!

      to Angela" aria-label='reply to this comment to Angela'>reply to this comment
  10. Danielle @ 52 Brand New says

    July 3, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    So many of my childhood favorites made your list! I’m happy to know I’m not the only one who dislikes The Giving Tree. Like you, I see it as a story of selfishness. The boy takes and takes until there is nothing more to take, and he never gives anything back. I haven’t read it to my own children, but I read it to my students every year. My minilesson is “Readers are allowed to dislike a book as long as they can support their opinion with examples from the book.” As much as I dislike the book, I have to admit, it always provokes good discussion!

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  11. PragmaticMom says

    July 3, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    Love this list. Another favorite I loved as a child is the Frances series by Russel and Lillian Hoban. I so love those picture books. My kids did too but my husband thinks they are boring. They are wonderfully old fashioned. We also love Make Way for Ducklings but then we live near Boston!

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  12. Brandy says

    July 4, 2013 at 9:25 am

    I have most of the books on this list! My absolute favorite from when I was little isn’t a story but a book of poetry. Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee tops my list.

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  13. Ruby Murray says

    July 4, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    I’ve not heard of 75% of these books so I get the pleasure of enjoying these for the first time with my children.

    Totally agree with Alligator Pie too. My all time favourite childhood book though is ‘ The Bedspread’ by Sylvia Fair stumbled on a copy recently and fell in love all over again. The pictures are so creative in a childlike and innocent way that I’m reminded how much I’d love to recreate ‘the bedspread’ every time I open the cover.

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  14. Karen says

    July 5, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    I loved most of these books as a child. I was so excited to see someone else loved The Monster at the end of this Book! I also enjoyed the Frog and Toad stories as well as Harry The Dirty Dog. I also had One Kitten for Kim- the twist at the end always delighted me!

    to Karen" aria-label='reply to this comment to Karen'>reply to this comment
  15. Courtney says

    July 5, 2013 at 11:57 pm

    What a great list, so many of my favorites. Mrs. Twiggley’s Tree is one my all time faves.

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  16. Carol Johnson says

    July 6, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I loved these books as a child and shared them with many kindergarten students over the years. “Madeline” and “The Duchess Bakes a Cake” are two special favorites that remind me of my mother. My best friend’s mom sent us on adventures with a purple crayon packed on our lunch sack to draw our way back home ala “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” Thanks for the list and the memories.

    to Carol Johnson" aria-label='reply to this comment to Carol Johnson'>reply to this comment
  17. Lauren says

    July 9, 2013 at 11:52 am

    The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton should definitely be on there!! It was (and still is) my all tome favourite book!

    to Lauren" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lauren'>reply to this comment
  18. Betsy says

    September 13, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Surprised “Goodnight Moon” didn’t make the list! ” Velveteen Rabbit” and “Is Your Mamaa Lhama” top off some of my favs. Thx for this super list. I have read maybe half so I have some work to do before grandchildren arrive!

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    • Allison McDonald says

      September 13, 2013 at 10:15 pm

      Those are all great books and on other lists but I think I didn’t think of them as vintage because I didn’t read them as a child. Great suggestions to add though!

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  19. Elisabeth says

    May 27, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    I’m sure I’m quite a bit older than most of those who have commented on how they dislike this book because it makes them sad. Sometimes being sad can be good. It’s a great learning tool.

    Having taught English in the public school system and Literature at the university level for a very long time, I’ve seen many young people whose parents taught them to be takers by being overindulgent and overly protective, by giving them too much and by shielding them from any unpleasantness. They never participated in healthy competition, never learned their strengths and weaknesses.

    Those students had not learned how to fail or lose, two of the most important ways we learn to trust ourselves. Self esteem is achieved only through accomplishment, many times through trial, error, and lots of failure. As one of my students put it, “sometimes you have to get it wrong to get it right.” The point is to pick oneself up, learn from the mistake, and try again

    This boy took from the tree until he was old, and the tree kept giving until she was a stump. So much wasted time. Nothing learned until both were at the end of life. As children we don’t have to get everything we want, and as parents we can say “no.” We give our children wings and let them fly, and sometimes we just look out the kitchen window, holding our breath, and watch them fall off their bikes. Then we see them learn to ride, and when they come in wearing a big grin, we make some cookies and celebrate with a glass of milk.

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  20. Heidi Wilson says

    June 6, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    You got almost all my favourites from my childhood except the Frog and Toad books, and Never Tease a Weasel! AWESOME list and I’ve read most of these to my boys and they love them too!

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  21. Steve Cohn says

    September 17, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    “Velveteen Rabbit”
    “Abiyoyo”
    “If Your Give a Mouse a Cookie”
    “Are You My Mother”
    “The Little House”
    “Stone Soup”
    “Herschel and the Hannukkah Goblins”
    “Pat the Bunny”
    and of course ….
    “The Cat in the Hat”

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  22. Anna says

    October 9, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    What a great list of books! Thank you so much for sharing. I am familiar with most of these and thoroughly enjoy most of the ones that I am familiar with. There are a few “new” ones I will need to check out. I love vintage and “vintage-looking” books. I would add Make Way for the Ducklings, but so glad you got Blueberries for Sal on here. Also, Thidwick the Big-hearted Moose and Horton Hatches the Egg. Is Homer Price outside of the age-range of this list? I love the vintage illustrations in that book. Thanks for the great list!

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  23. Steve Slezak says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 am

    Great list: I’m familiar with about half of these – they were favorites when I was a lad (I’m 42 now), and my 3-year-old daughter loves the half dozen or so I’ve read to her. Two additional books I would definitely add to my list are “Caps For Sale” and “The Giant Jam Sandwich”. Thanks!

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  24. Kaitlin Davidson says

    January 26, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    I loved The Balloon Tree and The Gypsy Princess by Phoebe Gilman, and Mirette On the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully. I refused to let my mom give them away when we were going through my old books.

    to Kaitlin Davidson" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kaitlin Davidson'>reply to this comment
    • Megan says

      January 29, 2021 at 11:40 am

      The Balloon Tree was one of my favourites! I recently got it to read to my daughter and didn’t realize how l o n g it was!

      to Megan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Megan'>reply to this comment
  25. Ann Buckley says

    November 9, 2015 at 2:29 am

    Socks for Supper!!!!!!!!
    Author: Jack Kent

    Have you heard of this one? Ever read it? If you haven’t ….you must! I loved it as a child and now my kids love it too 🙂

    to Ann Buckley" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ann Buckley'>reply to this comment
  26. Lisa says

    September 9, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    My sister and I read the Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka books over and over! They were our favorites. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned about her boy triplet series as well!

    to Lisa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lisa'>reply to this comment
    • Curtis Wahlgren says

      February 21, 2019 at 7:20 am

      Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown)
      Love You Forever (Robert Munsch)
      Frog and Toad (Arnold Lobel)
      Each Peach Pear Plum (Janet & Allan Ahlberg)
      You’re a Good Dog, Carl (Alexandra Day)
      The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate The Wash (Trinka Hakes Noble)

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  27. Noor says

    March 24, 2019 at 11:36 am

    Loved so many of these but also forgot a whole bunch that you reminded me of.
    Also, some books to consider as well.
    Anything and everything by Patricia Polacco, like “Thunder cake,” “Pink and Say,” “Oh, Look,” “The Butterfly,” etc
    Anything and everything by Dr. Seuss, like “The Lorax,” “Oh the places you will go,” Green eggs and ham,” The Sneetches of the beaches,” etc !!
    All the if you do this books, for example, “if you give a mouse a cookie.”
    “A bad case of strips”
    “Miss Nelson is missing”
    “The empty pot”
    But some of these might not yet be vintage, but still great reads.
    Oh, I had totally forgotten about Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, one of my favorites. Thank you.

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  28. Monica says

    May 15, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    I love this publication! ended up here because I’m desperately trying to find my favourite story book when I was a kid that was about a little mouse that lived in a tree in the woods and there was a storm. Reading it gave me so much comfort 🙂

    to Monica" aria-label='reply to this comment to Monica'>reply to this comment
  29. Stephanie says

    April 15, 2020 at 1:37 pm

    May I also add Katie No Pockets by Emmy Payne and illustrated by H.A.Rey. It is such a sweet story about a mommy kangaroo who does not have a pocket to carry her joey. She goes around asking all of the other mommy animals how they carry their children, and eventually leads to town where a very kind man give her an apron to wear, and she winds up having enough pockets to carry her baby.

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  30. Syann Stevens says

    May 8, 2020 at 11:15 am

    Nice list of children books. Thanks for sharing.

    to Syann Stevens" aria-label='reply to this comment to Syann Stevens'>reply to this comment
  31. jon says

    May 18, 2020 at 3:38 am

    alllll those books are crap
    dont buy them!!!!!

    to jon" aria-label='reply to this comment to jon'>reply to this comment
  32. Gail says

    May 29, 2020 at 9:02 am

    Wow! Your list is bringing back some wonderful memories of my childhood! In my opinion there are two incredibly wonderful books that are missing from your list;
    1)The marsh Crohn’s Brew
    2) dr. Seuss The Sneetches and Other Stories
    Both of these books rank in first place in my heart. They are both my favorite. The marsh Crohn’s Brew is a fun little fantasy that always filled my mind with Fantastical images! it’s not just one of the stories in the Doctor Seuss book, but everyone in the particular book I’m speaking of. Dr. Seuss was one of the best teachers of morals and principles in my opinion. His books give wonderful examples of how people should and should not treat each other. There will never be another writer who could ever compare to Doctor Seuss! I wish that he could know How Deeply his stories have affected me and how I have carried his lessons in my heart and applied them throughout my entire life! Especially the story of The Sneetches and the North going and the South going zax. Two Timeless stories that continue to hold relevance and deeper meaning which is especially important now more than ever given the worldwide discordance that’s happening right now. Those two stories should be required reading for all children everywhere!

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  33. Seek My School says

    July 4, 2020 at 7:41 am

    Great article, Thanks for sharing this. Find list of best schools in Jaipur for your child with seek my school.

    to Seek My School" aria-label='reply to this comment to Seek My School'>reply to this comment
  34. Ranae C Pearce says

    January 31, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    I am trying to find a book we used to read to the kids. About a little girl that wants in on the sand castle building contest but big brother won’t let her. She leaves a sandwhich on his sand castle so there dog will ruin it and she gets grounded and misses the fireworks. That is all I remember but myself nor my 5 kids can remember the name or author?
    Thanks in advance.

    to Ranae C Pearce" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ranae C Pearce'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      April 12, 2021 at 11:14 am

      I have no clue but now I am going to search!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  35. Karita says

    May 4, 2021 at 8:39 pm

    Great list 🙂 I am searching for a book I loved as a child (late 80s/early 90s) but can’t remember the title! It was about a little boy who spread peanut butter all over the walls. Does this ring a bell for anyone??

    to Karita" aria-label='reply to this comment to Karita'>reply to this comment
  36. Dave Bond says

    August 2, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    Good comments except for “The Giving Tree.” I believe you missed the point of the book and that is OK, but you called the tree “spineless.” Seems like a cruel accusation to me for “A Giving Tree”. When love is given without condition, it is a sign that one is able to see the very worst in someone and yet still believe that they are worthy of compassion.
    It is the part of one that forgives the seemingly unforgivable when no one else is able to. Unconditional love does not judge and it does not give up on those whom society may deem as immoral or evil. It is the conviction to see beyond a person’s outward flaws to focus, instead, on the inner being that some may call a soul.

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  37. m greene says

    December 1, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    Our teacher read a book to us in kindergarten. The characters are a husband and wife. There was a blanket that didn’t quite cover the feet so the woman cut part of the blanket from the top and sewed it to the bottom…several times. The year was 1954-1955. If anyone remembers the book from back then, please let me know. Thanks.

    When I had children of my own, one favorite book was in Spanish, ‘Federequito el Sapo’, Freddy the Frog. He somehow gets lost and is trying to find his mother. One by one, he meets different animals but none of the animals have the same voice as his mother…until the last page!

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  38. Heather says

    March 6, 2022 at 5:36 pm

    The Secret Garden! This book inspired me to visit and explore many walled gardens in England. It allowed my childhood imagination to run wild, and remains to this day my all-time favourite book.

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Trackbacks

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  6. Weekend Links - Red and Honey says:
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