Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The top 50
Children's picture books of all time
Fifty researched picks for the children's picture books of all time, selected for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
How we choseRead-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
Why it belongs →
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Cat in the Hat (Cat in the Hat, #1)
The Cat in the Hat (Cat in the Hat, #1) by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Lorax
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Monster at the End of this Book
The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Madeline
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Corduroy
Corduroy by Don Freeman is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (World of Beatrix Potter, #1)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (World of Beatrix Potter, #1) by Beatrix Potter is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Harold, #1)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Harold, #1) by Crockett Johnson is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Are You My Mother?
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Love You Forever
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Make Way for Ducklings
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Polar Express
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Horton Hears a Who!
Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Curious George
Curious George by H.A. Rey is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Stellaluna
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Pigeon, #1)
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Pigeon, #1) by Mo Willems is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, #1)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, #1) by Judi Barrett is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Poky Little Puppy
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Go, Dog. Go!
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Snowy Day (Peter, #1)
The Snowy Day (Peter, #1) by Ezra Jack Keats is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Blueberries for Sal
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Story of Ferdinand
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Gruffalo (Gruffalo, #1)
The Gruffalo (Gruffalo, #1) by Julia Donaldson is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Napping House
The Napping House by Audrey Wood is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Frog and Toad Are Friends (Frog and Toad, #1)
Frog and Toad Are Friends (Frog and Toad, #1) by Arnold Lobel is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Little House
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Runaway Bunny
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Mitten
The Mitten by Jan Brett is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Naughty Nana
Naughty Nana by Saralyn Richard is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Guess How Much I Love You
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Best Dinosaur Ever: Funny children's book about a little boy's big imagination for wanting to be his own kind of dinosaur
Best Dinosaur Ever: Funny children's book about a little boy's big imagination for wanting to be his own kind of dinosaur by Lori Rotter is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
I Want My Hat Back
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is a durable picture book choice, recognized for read-aloud appeal, illustration, emotional resonance and generational staying power.