17 classic books every child should read
Classic children's books
Classic books
We all have a favourite childhood book, whether it's much-loved Goodnight Moon or a silly Robert Munsch tale. Here's our ultimate list of 17 classic books every child should own.
Read more: Kids' books we love>
Alligator Pie
Written by Dennis Lee and illustrated by Frank Newfeld, HarperCollins
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $16
Curious George
Written and illustrated by Margret Rey and H.A. Rey, Houghton Mifflin Books
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $18
The Hockey Sweater
Written by Roch Carrier and illustrated by Sheldon Cohen, Tundra Books
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $14
Love you Forever
Written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw, Firefly Books
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $12
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Written and illustrated by Mo Willems, Hyperion Press
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $14
Thomas' Snowsuit
Written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko, Annick Press
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $7
The Runaway Bunny
Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, HarperCollins
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $12
The Snowy Day
Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, Penguin
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, from $6
The Cat in the Hat
Written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss, Random House
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $11
Where the Wild Things Are
Written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, HarperCollins
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $10
I Stink
Written by Kate McMullan and illustrated by Jim McMullan, HarperCollins
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $9
Lost and Found
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, HarperCollins
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $10
I Love My Hair
Written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Little, Brown Books
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $10
Madeline
Written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans, Viking Juvenile
Where to buy: Amazon.ca, $14
Puff the Magic Dragon
Written by Lenny Lipton and Peter Yarrow, illustrated by Eric Puybaret, Sterling
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $15
Z is for Zamboni
Written by Matt Napier and illustrated by Melanie Rose, Cherry Lake Publishing
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $8
The Gruffalo
Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, Pan Macmillan UK
Where to buy: Chapters.indigo.ca, $10
Raise a reader!
The secret to raising readers>
If you don’t give your kids books they can treat every which way, how will they ever learn to care about books at all?
