Best Books of 25 Years: Infant - 9 Years

In researching this exceedingly difficult assignment, our friends at Parents' Choice Foundation went first to their in-house library – a twenty-five year archive – and compiled a list of titles selected, throughout those years, by parents, grandparents, librarians, educators and many, many children.

The Parents’ Choice “Best 25 of 25” Book Committee, comprised of parents, teachers, librarians and critics, then reviewed and reevaluated the selections, honed the list again, and again, and came up with what they believe are very fine choices. When making the final selections, they looked for a balance of humor, history, character and ethics. They had to divide the list into two age groups – infant through age nine, and ages 10 and up.

Best 25 Books for Infant through 9 Years

My Very First Mother Goose
Ages: Infant - 4 yrs.
By Iona Opie, Illustrated by Rosemary Wells

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
By Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

The Three Little Pigs
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Illustrated by James Marshall, Told By James Marshall

Olivia
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
By Ian Falconer

Captain Snap and the Children of Vinegar Lane
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
By Roni Schotter, Illustrated by Marcia Sewall

Anno’s Italy
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Mitsumasa Anno, Illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno

Doctor DeSoto
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By William Steig John Henry Ages: 4 - 8 yrs. By Julius Lester, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Julius, the Baby of the World
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Kevin Henkes

Martha Speaks
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Susan Meddaugh, Illustrated by Susan Me

Not So Fast, Songololo
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Niki Daly

Rumpelstilskin
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Jacob Grimm, Illustrated by Paul O Zelinsky

Tar Beach
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Faith Ringgold

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon, Told By Virginia Hamilton

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith

The Stories Julian Tells
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Ann Cameron, Illustrated by Ann Strugnell

Jerusalem, Shining Still
Ages: 4 & Up
By Karla Kuskin, Illustrated by David Frampton

Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Little Red Riding Hood
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Trina S. Hyman

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By John Steptoe

The Polar Express
Ages: 5 & Up
By Chris Van Allsburg

A Chair for My Mother
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Vera B. Williams

Hey Willy, See the Pyramids
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Maira Kalman

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Bette Lord, Illustrated by Marc Simont

Ramona Quimby
Age 8 Ages: 7 - 11 yrs.
By Beverly Cleary, Illustrated by Alan Tiegreen

This book list is provided by the national Reading is Fundamental (RIF) organization and are not the property or works of Peta-Gay Lewis.