We’ve reviewed countless classic books for children and are all set to share our favorites with you. Last time, we shared numbers 20-11, now we’re ready to round out the list with the top 10! Here are our top 10 favorite recommended classic books for children!

1. 20 Classic Books for Children: Part Two
We’ve reviewed countless classic books for children and are all set to share our favorites with
you. Last time, we shared numbers 20-11, now we’re ready to round out the list with the top 10!
Here are our top 10 recommended classic
books for children!
10. A Bear Called Paddington
“A Bear Called Paddington” by Michael Bond brings the endearing stuffed bear, Paddington to
be met on a railway platform by the Brown Family with a sign around his neck that reads,
“Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
The Brown family does exactly that, while having no awareness of the turmoil Paddington is
going to bring into their lives. The polite, well intended Paddington however, has an endless
propensity for getting into trouble and takes the family on an enchanting set of misadventures for
millions over the years.
This is a wonderful book for reading to young children or for young readers to read on their own.
9. Are You My Mother?

2. One of the great things about stories like “Are You My Mother” by P.D. Eastman is their ability
to open up our hearts to the lives of others in the world—even when those “others” involve just a
baby bird.
This great book for kids features a little bird that is hatched when his mother is out of the nest.
Being the fearless soul that he is, he goes off in search of her. His journey is funny, informative
and ultimately successful.
This is a wonderful book to read to 3to 5-year-olds. Many 5 and 6-year-olds will be able to read
it on their own.
8. Blueberries for Sal
“Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey is a touching story that magnifies the bonds that
exist between mother and child.
Follow the parallel stories of both Sal and her mother, and a baby bear and its mother on the
other side of Blueberry Hill to see the powerful connection that exists between all mothers and
their children.
7. Go, Dog, Go!
“Go, Dog. Go!” by P.D. Eastman is an excellent choice to encourage kids as they begin to learn
to read. In this special book, dogs of all sizes and colors roller skate, ride bikes, drive cars and
more on their way to an exciting dog party in the treetops.
Wonderful illustrations entertain and help young readers navigate through the story. Children
will also enjoy the dogs’ facial expressions and repetitive phrases that inspire them to
participate. Before long readers will be familiar with words like up, down, in, and out.

3. 6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” by Roald Dahl is a unique, quirky story of serious conflicts with grave
results that will inspire great discussions.
When Mr. Fox brings a wonderful meal home to his family every night, he is perceived as
fantastic. However, the three farmers who he is stealing food from are not too happy.
Follow this “tail” of good vs. evil as the three irate farmers try to outwit the sly Mr. Fox!
5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, is one of the Reading Kingdom’s recommended
reading for kids.
In this captivating classic book for children, a caterpillar hatches on a moonlit night, then
proceeds to consecutively eat through a number of pieces of food each day. After the caterpillar
has it’s final chow-down, it goes into a cocoon and ultimately hatches into a beautiful butterfly!
4. Where The Wild Things Are
“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak tells the story of a young boy whose mischief

4. gets him sent to his room without supper. His imagination transforms his bedroom into an
extraordinary setting, with a forest and an ocean and a boat that takes him to a land full of “wild
things.”
The pictures are wonderful and powerful, and together with the text, presents a story which
readers of all ages can identify with. This is a book that children will surely want to hear again
and again.
3. The Giver
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry is #3 on our list of best classic books for children. In a community
governed “perfectly” to create a mirrored identity in each citizen, the main character Jonas finds
out that he is “different”.
As Jonas is assigned the role of “Receiver of Memory”, he gains access to what life has to offer
including love, pain, frustration, color, cold, and freedom – with its right and responsibility to
make choices and to follow the call of your individuality.
Although The Giver has been a longtime target of controversy like other anti-Utopian books, this
book provides an enriching experience for those pondering the complexities of life and growin
up.
2. James and the Giant Peach

5. “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl is referred to by many children as the “best book”
they’ve ever read.
The main character James, is a sad and lonely orphan who must live with his wicked aunts until
one day, he receives a bag of magic crystals. When the crystals are accidentally spilled on an old
peach tree, an unstoppable chain of events begin to take place and a single peach starts to grow
that ultimately becomes large enough for James to climb inside.
Once inside, the giant peach rolls him away to a new life, where he meets a cast of enchanting
characters who join James for an incredible adventure!
1. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh
“The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh” by A.A. Milne, is a beautifully illustrated masterpiece
with a more than 80 year record of delighting readers.
Its “family” of delightful characters includes Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and others.
Their collective strengths and weaknesses, similar to the ones we have as humans, allow a child
to experience the wonderful feelings coming from those who live in an age of total innocence.
Nevertheless, their trials and tribulations convey invaluable messages about life and loyalty–
messages that can be understood on many levels. All this combines to make the book one that is
loved by children of all ages as well as their parents.
Have you or your kids read these timeless classic books for children? Share your family
favorites in the comments below and let us know if you’d add any to the list!

6. To watch your own children enjoy classic children’s books like these, visit Reading Kingdom
and watch them learn to read on their own. Our online reading program teaches children to read
up to a third grade level, all while they have fun “playing” in our unique game format. Read
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