Classic Picture Books

The picture books every child should know — timeless stories worth reading again and again, from board books through early elementary.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
The most beloved bedtime book ever written. Simple, rhythmic, and utterly soothing — a ritual for millions of families every night.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A caterpillar eats his way through the days of the week before becoming a beautiful butterfly. A perfect first book for the very youngest readers.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
A boy sent to bed without supper sails to a land of wild creatures and becomes their king. Bold, imaginative, and surprisingly tender.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
A mother duck leads her ducklings through the streets of Boston to their new home in the Public Garden. A classic of American picture books.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
A little girl and a little bear both follow their mothers through the blueberry patch — and end up following the wrong one. Warm, funny, and beautifully illustrated.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
A gentle bull who just wants to sit and smell the flowers. A timeless reminder that it's okay to be quiet and true to yourself.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
In an old house in Paris covered in vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. Fearless, funny, and utterly charming.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
A mischievous little rabbit sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden and barely escapes with his life. One of the most beautifully illustrated classics ever published.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike and his beloved steam shovel Mary Anne prove their worth one last time. A story about loyalty, hard work, and finding your place in a changing world.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
A stuffed rabbit longs to become real through the power of a child's love. One of the most tender and moving picture books ever written.

Curious George by H.A. Rey
A little monkey's insatiable curiosity gets him into — and out of — endless trouble. A classic that has delighted children for generations.

Corduroy by Don Freeman
A small bear in a department store waits and hopes for a child to take him home. Simple, sweet, and deeply reassuring.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
A young boy explores his neighborhood after a snowfall. A groundbreaking, beautiful picture book that belongs on every child's shelf.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
A peddler takes a nap under a tree and wakes to find his caps stolen by monkeys. A wonderfully silly classic that children never tire of.

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág
An old man sets out to find one cat and comes home with millions. One of the oldest American picture books still in print — and still wonderful.