Happy reading, and remember: You are never too old, too wacky, or too wild to pick up a children’s book.

Whether you are building a home library, looking for a gift, or revisiting your own childhood favorites, these famous kids' books have stood the test of time. Here is your ultimate guide to the classics, the modern masterpieces, and the stories that shape who we become. These are the books your parents (and grandparents) grew up with. They are the foundation of children's literature.

Read The Giving Tree to your child once. Then, a week later, ask them who they think was happier—the boy or the tree. Their answer will surprise you.

There is a special kind of magic that happens when you open a children’s book. The smell of the pages, the bright illustrations, and the rhythm of a parent’s voice can transport a child to a world where animals talk, cookies jump off baking sheets, and a single act of kindness can save the day.