Children’s Books

I have a distinct childhood memory around reading. My parents instilled a deep love of books in us at an early age, from reading favorites like Goodnight Moon to us when we were young to reading The Chronicles of Narnia together as a family while folding laundry when we got older. This influence turned me into a bookworm for some years, where I devoured classic titles like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and finished all the books on my school reading lists before anyone else. As an adult, I honestly don’t read nearly as much as I would like, but I’m especially looking forward to reviving that love of reading as we raise our daughter. With that in mind, I’m starting to collect our own childhood favorites for her nursery’s bookshelves and looking for other great books I may not know about to include.

Since many of you sweetly responded to my request for book recos over the weekend on Instagram (loved all your great suggestions!), I thought I’d bring that ask here to the blog, too. I’d LOVE if anyone reading this post could take just a few seconds to comment below with your favorite childhood book(s)…then I’ll put together a comprehensive post rounding up the best and share–which I hope will be a great resource whether you’re a mom, mom-to-be, or simply to bookmark for one day!

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  • Erin Rothney

    We recently discovered 2 of Herve Tullet’s books for our 4 and 2 year olds. These are not “traditional” books, but interactive books that our kids love! “Press Here” is a fun book they both like, but we recently pulled out “The Game of Light” the other night when our power went out and they loved it! You use a flashlight to shine an image from the book on the ceiling. Our kids could have “read” that book all night!

  • I Love You Forever, Goodnight Moon, Pig Pig Grows Up, Miss Rumphius.
    I’m currently working on accumulating a library for our little one too. Can’t wait to see what recommendations come out of this post!
    chaoticdomestic.blogspot.com

  • PerpetuallyChic

    Totally forgot about Miss Rumphius–loved that one too! Perfect timing…can’t wait to share all the recommendations!

  • PerpetuallyChic

    How fun! Those are new to me & sound so interactive…will check them out!

  • Lena Barclay

    I loved Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Amelia Bedelia, frog and toad, and the Strega Nonna stories!

  • Kate

    Strega Nonna and Amelia Bedelia are great! Also, anything by Kevin Henkes (he is a Madison author, too!). The Story of Ferdinand, The Snowy Day, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, anything by Vera Williams. And Roxaboxen was an all-time favorite.

  • Carol B

    How about Anne of Green Gables; The Borrowers; Finn Family Moomintroll? My nieces ( and I) also enjoy all of Julia Donaldson’s books ( Room on The Broom and The Gruffalo’s Child being personal favourites!)

  • Ally

    The Jolly Postman, Charlotte’s Web, Madeline, Imogene’s Antlers, The Bernstein Bears, The Brothers Grimm, all the Dr. Seuss books, Arabian Nights, Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile, Doctor de Soto…the list goes on and on. We had a ridiculous amount of books as kids. Weren’t we lucky?!

  • Erin

    For baby books, Mommies Say Shhh by Patricia Polacco is one of the most gorgeously illustrated books. For toddlers and up, my favorite will always be Corduroy!

  • Kate

    How could I forget The Jolly Postman and Imogene’s Antlers?! Great choices.

  • Jennifer

    Good Night Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, and Ferdinand were some of the books I had to have when stocking a library for my 3 month old son. As I’m reading to him more and more, I’m also noticing that at this age, he responds very well to anything that rhymes so Dr. Seuss books are becoming a major part of our reading time right now.

  • The JetSet Family

    My daughter has that Eloise book and keeps it in her airplane carry-on bag. She loves it! We also love This Little Piggy Went to Prada. It’s a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations and cute spins on classic nursery rhymes.

  • PerpetuallyChic

    Thanks for the tip – This Little Piggy Went to Prada sounds super cute!