he joy of reading books for our children may not last long, as pretty soon they’ll be old enough to read the books all by themselves. To help you get fun quality time with your little ones, here are our six favorite children's books of all time.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
One of the most important children books in our lifetime, The Very Hungry Caterpillar tells the story about a caterpillar and the things it eats. Children less than 5 years old will marvel at the colorful illustrations and adults will have an easy time telling the story as the writing is simple enough for children to understand. Although the book was first published in 1969, because of its universal message it is still relevant today.
Love You Forever - Robert Munsch (Author), Sheila McGraw (Illustrator)
The most beautiful artwork may come from the most painful experiences and such is the case with Robert Munsch’s Love You Forever book. Munsch and his wife had two stillborn babies and he decided to document his wife’s sadness through the story. Printed in 1986, the book has managed to capture the hearts of young and adult readers alike with its tender story about a young boy and his mom from childhood to adulthood. Get some tissues ready when reading this, as things can get very sentimental.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! - Dr. Seuss
Aside from the classic Cat in a Hat, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! is one of Dr. Seuss’ classics every parent must get. Don’t let the colorful illustrations fool you; the book is much more than just an eye-pleaser. It tells of a journey and the struggle to find our way through life and doesn’t only focus on the good times because life has its ups and downs. This is a perfect gift for the little ones who are graduating from pre-school.
I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
If your little one is a bit of a jokester, then Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back could be the perfect book for you to giggle over together. The book tells a story about a bear who lost his hat and he wants it back. He asks every animal he meets whether it has seen his hat. The visual humor presented in the book will delight children, hence staying up late past their bedtimes may occur.
The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein
A book about loving someone that would appeal to adults and children alike, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree is a classic we don’t want you to miss. The Giving Tree tells a story about a tree that loves a boy so much that it gives everything it has to the boy, starting from its leaves, fruit and branches. The simple illustrations help deliver the profound message of the book, which is about how loving somebody is not easy.
Dot - Randi Zuckerberg & Joe Berger
Probably the most recent children’s book compared to the previous ones, Dot was written by Randi Zuckerberg, who happens to be the sister of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, and illustrated by Joe Berger. The book tells the story about a girl named Dot who knows a lot. She can swipe, tap, share and engage with her tablet. It’s not until she begins to realize that the world around her is also exciting that she reduces her screen time and really plays. This book is a gentle reminder for parents and kids in the digital world that there’s a beautiful world beyond tablets and smartphones.
We hope you love our recommendations. For your information, TheJakartaPost.com may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.