16 Essential Classics for
Beginning Readers
by Liz Lesnick
One of the great joys of parenthood is sharing the books you loved as a child with your own children. These timeless tales will appeal to readers young and old alike. They offer valuable lessons through their appealing illustrations and thoughtful narratives. They’re the classic books you’ll pull off your shelves over and over again.
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The Snowy Day
Available from:Peter’s urban winter-land adventure has charmed generations of readers. The simple text and gorgeous, cut-paper collage illustrations are just as engaging today as when it was published in 1962. It’s a must-have for every child’s home library!
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The Patchwork Quilt
Available from:Follow young Tanya as she helps her grandmother make a patchwork quilt that becomes a symbol of love, family, and cherished memories.
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D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths
Available from:No home library is complete without this classic compilation of Greek myths. D’Aulaires’ continues to captivate readers of all ages with its lavishly illustrated tales of the gods and goddesses of Olympus.
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Umbrella
Available from:Little Momo waits a very long time for a rainy day to use the umbrella she received on her birthday. Charming watercolors illustrate a gentle story about anticipation.
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Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Available from:This classic tale about a trickster spider comes from West African lore. Kids will giggle through this story about Anansi using a mossy rock to pull pranks on the other animals. It’s the first in a series of five picture books which include more humorous tales of trickery and mischief.
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Last Stop on Market Street
Available from:This is the story of an inquisitive young boy who is eager to understand the world around him, and his loving grandmother, who guides him along the way. This touching modern classic highlights the importance of kindness and empathy in our relationships with others.
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The Three Little Pigs
Available from:James Marshall re-imagines this classic tale with humor and colorful, cartoon-like illustrations. Parents will find themselves laughing aloud with their children as they follow the foibles of the three little pigs and their nemesis, the hapless yet determined wolf.
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Tar Beach
Available from:Beautifully done, Ringgold's classic will speak to children and adults of all ages. As the stars lift Cassie off the rooftop of her family’s Harlem apartment building, she learns how it feels to be free to go wherever she pleases.
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The Mitten
Available from:Get cozy with this modern Ukrainian classic about a lost mitten and the animals who find it. One at a time, the forest animals squeeze inside the abandoned mitten, which stretches to accommodate each creature. Readers of all ages love this charming and funny winter tale.
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Frederick
Available from:Who can forget the fable of Frederick, the little mouse who basked in the sun while the other mice gathered fruit and nuts to store for the winter? Leo Lionni’s enchanting tale of a furry little poet who offers food for the soul will charm and touch readers of all sizes.
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The Big Green Book of Beginner Books
Available from:This wouldn’t be a list of classic books for beginning readers if we didn’t mention Dr. Seuss. This oversized book contains six wacky stories from the master of early children’s literature. Your beginning reader will love these giggle-worthy stories like I Wish That I Had Duck Feet, I Am Not Going to Get Up Today, and more!
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The Elephant’s Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India
Available from:Marcia Williams breathes fresh life into the folklore of ancient India with her vividly-colored illustrations and lively language. Each of the eight tales in this collection features animals who have a knack for getting into, and out of, sticky situations. Williams’s light touch will bring smiles and giggles from readers of all ages.
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Diego
Available from:Introduce your child to Diego, Mexico’s most beloved muralist with this award-winning picture book classic. Readers will learn about Diego’s life and how he became a prominent artist through simple text and stunning artwork.
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Jack
Available from:Tomie dePaola takes on the classic Jack tales, in which a young hero ventures out to seek his fortune and gains it through luck or pluck. Along the way, Jack accumulates a lively entourage of animal travel companions whose moos, clucks, oinks, and neighs are sure to make children crow.
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Blueberries for Sal
Available from:Head to the hills for a day of picking blueberries with Sal and her mother. A mother bear and her cub are also in the same blueberry patch, eating as much as possible. It doesn’t take long for the human baby and bear cub to get distracted and wind up following the wrong mother. Initially published in 1948, this American classic offers readers a heartwarming peek at simpler times.
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Shy Charles
Available from:Charles is a shy little mouse who’d rather play by himself than with other children. His worried parents try to change Charles, making him play football and take ballet. When these attempts fail they don’t know what to do, but when faced with an emergency, Charles rises to the occasion. This touching story of accepting our differences will reassure and delight.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2023.