All Time Best Picture Books for Children

This book by Nancy Tillman is such a sweet celebration of the day your child was born, when the world was introduced to "the one and only ever you." My daughters have enjoyed reading this book many times and love for us to also retell the story of the day they were born!

Kelly R said:  This book by Robert Munsch was new to me as an adult, and I remember the first time I read it to my son - I was ugly-crying before I reached the final page. The story of a mother's love for her son throughout the years is beautiful, sentimental, and timeless.

The story of the dapper cat who turned a brother and sister's rainy afternoon into a zany adventure. Dr. Seuss wrote this one for kids learning to read as an entertaining alternative to the boring reading primers that children were using (sorry, Dick and Jane).

Kristy Pepping said:  This is a Little Golden Book classic that really stands the test of time. Kids today will enjoy this just as much as in 1946 when it was first written. It's about a puppy and the adventures he goes on. The Poky Little Puppy is a great book to read to little ones or a perfect beginner book for early readers. There are plenty of photos and large words making it a great first book.

Nancy L. said:  Tomie dePaola's classic tale of Strega Nona, Big Anthony, and the magic pasta pot is filled with humor and warmth.

Kelly R said:  This series by Ludwig Bemelmans chronicles the adventures of Madeline, the smallest and bravest of twelve girls at a Parisian boarding school. The rhyming verse and the beautiful illustrations are engaging and approachable for children, yet slightly sophisticated - how very French!

This interactive book by Herve Tullet is a great read for all ages! Embark on a fun and magical journey when you press the yellow dot on the cover and continue to follow the instructions within. Each page gives instructions to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book and more and along the way you watch colorful dots multiply, change direction and size.

Yoli B said:  Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson has been in print for over 60 years and is still one of my favorites. Harold gazes at the moon and decides to take a walk at night with his large purple crayon. Harold draws himself a landscape, travels through woods, across seas and has several adventures before returning to bed, safe and sound. The book definitely has a retro look, but in a time where kids play with electronics all day I appreciate the simplicity and the imagination of Harold!

Juan L. said:  Before the movie ever came along, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett was one of my all-time favorite picture books. The story follows a town that has no weather, just food that comes from the sky! The imagination and unique storyline are sure to catch your child's attention. But it's really the intricate illustrations that will capture their heart and have them coming back time and time again, just as I did. They may think it's too old school at first glance, but there's no doubt your little one will fall in love with this story.

Vanessa M. said:  Margaret Wise Brown, author of the beloved Goodnight Moon, has another book just as loved for parents to read to their young children. In The Runaway Bunny, the little bunny threatens to run away from home, while the mother bunny lets it be known that no matter the circumstances, she will always, always find her child. "If you become a bird and fly away from me," said his mother, "I will be a tree that you come home to." The sweet illustrations and charming prose assure children that wherever they go and no matter how they feel, their Mama will always come after them.

A lonely bear crawls into a cave to curl up for a cold winter nap. One-by-one, different animals and birds discover his cave and wander in to escape the cold. While the animals have a party, the bear snores on.

Vanessa M. said:  The rhyming text in this book is really melodic and makes it a fun book to read out loud. It is one of those books that my kids ask me to read over and over and yet I'm not sick of reading it!

Kelly R said:  A classic Christmas book for kids, this story of a boy who journeys to the North Pole to meet the big man himself is a memorable tale about being young at heart. Beautiful illustrations by Chris Van Allsburg bring the story to life.

Kelly R said:  This beloved "touch and feel" book for babies and toddlers by Dorothy Kunhardt has been entertaining little ones since 1940 - and helping them to explore their senses. My kids loved this one until it was literally in pieces.

Margery Williams beautifully tells the story of a lonely boy who wins over his detached father and strict grandmother with help from a valiant velveteen rabbit whose one wish is to become a real rabbit someday. Will the power of unconditional love transform him to become real?

Kelly R said:  One of my daughter's favorites, with such a beautiful message about love.

Nancy L. said:  Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson invites kids to participate in the changing of the seasons. Tap the tree, blow it kisses, shake it, and brush away the leaves are just some of the directives that keep kids engaged as the months unfold, the weather changes, and spring begins again.