Top 15 Best Kids Books for Every Stage

Reading to your child is one of the best gifts parents can give. Discover some of the best authors and series of classic books for kids to include on your bookshelf. From modern tales with colorful illustrations to books that tackle difficult topics, there's a book for everyone.

Picture Books Ideal for Ages 0-5

1. Sandra Boynton Board Books

Full of rhythm and rhyme, Sandra Boynton's board books are full of fun storylines. Even before your baby can speak, they'll enjoy clapping and bouncing along to these great books.

Popular Titles:

• Moo, Baa, La La La!
• Blue Hat, Green Hat
• The Going to Bed Book

2. Eric Carle Books

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a beloved story that belongs in every book collection. Young children love this adorable story about a hungry caterpillar's quest for food. Eric Carle was an illustrator known for his delightful colorful images that awaken the imagination. Try his other titles as well.

Popular Titles:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear (by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle)
• The Very Busy Spider

3. Shel Silverstein Poetry Books

Giggle, laugh, and learn some lessons while reading Shel Silverstein's poems. Enjoy a range of poems. Enjoy a silly poem about a girl who wouldn't take the garbage out. Or, read a meaningful story about relationships.

Popular Titles:

• Where the Sidewalk Ends
• The Giving Tree
• A Light in the Attic

4. Mo Willems Books for Kids

Former Sesame Street writer and animator, Mo Willems writes fun stories. His children's books include several series such as Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie, Cat the Cat, and Unlimited Squirrels.

Popular Titles:

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
• I Will Surprise My Friend!
• That Is NOT a Good Idea! 

5. Leo Lionni Books for Kids

With whimsical illustrations and heart-warming storylines, Lionni has a knack for writing stories.

Popular Titles:

• Swimmy
• A Color of His Own
• Frederick

6. Curious George Book Series

Written and illustrated by Margret and H. A. Rey, these books share adventures about a monkey and his handler. Kids love Curious George, who always seems to get into trouble.

7. Madeline Book Series

Ludwig Bemelmans wrote the first Madeline book in 1939. The book, about a Parisian schoolgirl, quickly grew popular. The original series features six books.

Educational Books for Kids

Several organizations help parents tackle tough topics with kids through books. Here are a few to try:

8. A Kids Co.

Learn about important topics like emotions, culture, and even racism in kid-friendly format. A Kids Co offers board books for the youngest kids and hardback books for older kids.

9. Little People Big Dreams

Inspire your child with biographies of famous people. From Beyoncé to Leo Messi and Mozart, learn about stand out people from every century.

Classic Children's Books for Young Readers

10. Kate DiCamillo

Enjoy reading Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising, or The Tale of Despereaux. DiCamillo has won Newbery Medals for her extraordinary stories. The Tale of Despereaux tells the story of a mouse on a quest to save a princess.

11. E.B. White

E.B. White wrote both Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. These classic children's books are excellent for reading aloud.

12. Andrea Beaty

If you're looking for a picture book for older children, try Sofia Valdez, Future Prez or Rosie Revere, Engineer. Beaty's books encourage children to explore STEM career paths.

13. Madeleine L’Engle

Enter the world of science fiction with L'Engle's young adult novel, A Wrinkle In Time. This book won a Newbery Medal and is now the first book in a series about the Murry family.

14. Harry Potter

This amazing series has helped many children fall in love with reading. Follow Harry Potter's journey through the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and beyond.

15. Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl wrote classics such as Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Your child may enjoy reading these books alone or aloud as a family.

Choosing the Best Books for Kids

Head to your local library and see what titles you can find! Check books on Common Sense Media for reviews that help gauge whether the book is appropriate for your child. The most important thing to do is make reading fun and enjoyable. Soon, your child will discover the joy of reading on their own.