Some of my favorite memories growing up were that of reading and being read to. That cherished time allowed for my mind to wander and be opened to new worlds, characters became friends on paper, and I was able to learn, grow, and explore the world around me through words that brought such excitement to my young heart and mind.
My love for reading and building upon my imagination was honed and greatly encouraged by my parents who not only read to me, but read alongside me and even to this day have gifted me many books that I treasure. To them I am most grateful for expanding and nurturing this love.
I treasure my dear literary friends and the time spent hearing my parents voices read to me, or taking a stack full of books home from the library with pure glee written across my face, or getting lost in a bookstore and my heart bursting with the sense of being at home, or sharing my love of a book or series with a fellow kindred spirit.
Now as a Mother, that love has only increased as I’ve read to my own little one and seeing that love spark within his minds-eye has been such a gift. Reading continues to create new memories, has filled my life with light, and is truly one of my favorite things.
Therefore, I thought it would be fun to go back where it all began and share some of my personal favorite children’s books with you that I enjoyed growing up with and that I have enjoyed reading now with my little one.
These books are recommendations for young babes, toddlers, elementary aged children, and pre-teens, and anyone else who would like to enjoy these cherished reads. If you would like to simply be reminded of and take the time to enjoy rereading the sweet, youthful, whimsical worlds of yesteryear on your own or with any young ones in your life, this is the article for you.
I hope that these lists will be a help to you in book recommendations for your own kiddos, future children, or simply an enjoyable walk down memory lane of books you enjoyed as well. 
Baby & Toddler Book Favorites
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
The Little Engine That Could By Watty Piper
It’s You I Like by Mr. Rogers (& Other Books By Him)
Beatrix Potter Tales
Winnie the Pooh Tales by A.A. Milne
Bedtime for Little Bears by David Bedford
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak
Potty Time with Elmo – Sesame Street
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
We’re Different, We’re the Same, and We’re All Wonderful – Sesame Street
Monster at the End of This Book, & Another Monster at the End of This Book – Sesame Street
Little Blue Truck Book Series by Alice Schertle
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Pigeon Book Series by Mo Williams
The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet
Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan
Robert Munsch Books, i.e. Love You Forever, Stephanie’s Ponytail, Good Families Don’t, The Paperbag Princess, etc.
Little Critter Book Series by Mercer Mayer
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie Book Series by Laura Numeroff
Franklin the Turtle Book Series by Paulette Bourgeois
Berenstain Bears Book Series by Jan & Stan Berenstain
The Polar Express & Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
Dr. Seuss Books
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr.
Elementary Book Favorites
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table Tales
Grimm’s Fairy Tales
The Magic School Bus Book Series by Joanna Cole
Days with Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel
Miss Suzy by Miriam Young
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie Macksey
Roald Dahl Books, i.e. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, James & the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, etc.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Amelia Bedelia Book Series by Peggy Parish
Pre-Teen Book Favorites
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
The Babysitters Club Book Series by Ann M. Martin
Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Harry Potter Book Series by J. K. Rowling
Little House on the Prairie Book Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nancy Drew Book Series by Carolyn Keene
Hardy Boys Book Series by Franklin W. Dixon
Anne of Green Gables Book Series by L. M. Montgomery
Holes by Louis Sachar
Charlotte’s Web, The Trumpet of the Swan, & Stuart Little by E.B. White
Ralph S. Mouse Book Series by Beverly Cleary
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Lizzie McGuire Book Series
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Peter Pan by James Matthew Barrie
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
As you went through my personal children’s book recommendations, I hope it not only brought a spout of nostalgia for you, or even a fun introduction to some new reads, but that it ultimately renewed your love for reading. A love that I hope you will continue to indulge in and share. As was so poignantly put in the classic film The Dead Poets Society, “words and ideas can change the world”.
Reading is the doorway to imagination, growth, connection, and hope. May it ever be the gift that keeps on giving for you as you read, cherish, and reread over and over again those treasured words and stories that keep you moving forward from childhood through adulthood.
Now I’d love to hear from you, what was one of your favorite children’s books growing up that you cherish even now? Please comment below and share this article if it has been of value to you or could be to someone else.
**If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out these other great & insightful posts:
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/the-importance-joy-of-reading-with-your-child-plus-a-list-of-25-of-our-familys-current-favorite-childrens-books/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/5-books-i-read-this-past-year-that-gave-me-drive-success-peace/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/10-books-i-read-in-2021/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/20-lessons-ive-learned-from-being-a-toddler-mama/
About the Author
Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer, blogger, and copy-editor for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me happily playing with my toddler, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.