Classic Children’s books for toddlers

A much-loved classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has won over millions of readers with its vivid and colourful collage illustrations and its deceptively simply, hopeful story. With its die-cut pages and finger-sized holes to explore, this is a richly satisfying classic children’s book that has delighted generations of toddlers.

On a train ride in 1966, the title phrase Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? popped into Bill Martin Jr.’s head. Later, he spotted an illustration of a red lobster in a magazine and contacted the creator, Eric Carle, to ask if he would illustrate his poem. So began Eric Carle’s career as a children’s book illustrator – along with a life-long collaborative friendship with Bill Martin Jr. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See is one of the all-time classic children’s books for toddlers.

When Whistle for Willie was first published in 1964, The New York Times wrote “Mr. Keats’ illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world. and the shimmering heat of a summer’s day”. Now the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog, is accessible to even the youngest child in this durable board book edition. Whistle for Willie is a delightful and engaging story and one of the genuine classic children’s books for toddlers.

Don Freeman’s classic character, Corduroy, is even more popular today then he was when he first came on the scene in 1976. Corduroy is the perfect children’s book. It is a gentle, sweet tale of a little bear in green cordoroy overalls waiting to be purchased in a department store. Youngsters (and adults!) will never get tired of this toy-comes-alive tale with a seriously happy ending.

“One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight.” So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you. Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. Crockett Johnson’s understated tribute to the imagination was first published in 1955, and has been inspiring readers of all ages ever since. Harold’s quiet but magical journey reminds us of the marvels the mind can create, and also gives us the wondrous sense that anything is possible. Still as relevant today as the day it was published 60 years ago, Harold and the Purple Crayon is one of the classic children’s books for toddlers.

This timeless Dr. Seuss classic was first published in 1960, and has been delighting readers ever since. Sam-I-am is incredibly persistent, changing as many variables as possible in the hopes of convincing the nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham are a delicacy to be savored. You no doubt know what happens, but even after reading Green Eggs and Ham for the hundredth time, the climactic realization that green eggs and ham are “so good, so good, you see” is still a rush. As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss’s wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations – one of the classic children’s books for toddlers.

“Once upon a time there was a Little House way out in the country. She was a pretty Little House and she was strong and well built.” Virginia Lee Burton won the Caldecott Medal in 1943 for her memorable picture book The Little House - a poignant story of a cute country cottage that becomes engulfed by the city that grows up around it. Young readers will be drawn in by the whimsical, detailed drawings and the happy ending. While adults will recognize this as one of the most poignant and ahead-of-it’s-time classic children’s books for toddlers.

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.”

In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect bedtime story for the end of the day. Goodnight Moon has literally helped send millions of little one’s to sleep – and is one of the most popular bedtime stories ever written and definitely one of the classic children’s books for toddlers.

A stuffed toy rabbit (with real thread whiskers) comes to life in Margery Williams’s timeless tale of the power of love. Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the Boy (as he is called) will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit befriends the tattered Skin Horse, the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made “real” through the love of a human. “‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'” This sentimental classic has been charming children since its first publication in 1922.

Pat the Bunny is the original interactive, multimedia experience for kids! Virtually unchanged since its introduction in 1940, the kind tone and sweet illustrations in this classic recall a bygone era, while the simple language and large print invite kids to get interested in the written word as an invitation to thought and action. As one of the bestselling children’s books of all time, Pat the Bunny has become a tradition passed from one generation to the next to help instill a love of books and reading.