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Classic Picture Books

Although not comprehensive, the books featured on this list are those that we believe have the qualities to endure for generations, and in many cases already have.

A Splendid Friend, Indeed, by Suzanne Bloom
E Bloom
When a studious polar bear meets an inquisitive goose, they learn to be friends

Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans
E Bemelmans
Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis.

The Mitten, by Jan Brett
E Brett
Several animals sleep snugly in Nicki's lost mitten until the bear sneezes

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
E Brown
Goodnight to each of the objects in the great green room: goodnight chairs, goodnight comb, goodnight air.

Mr. Grumpy's Outing, by John Birningham
E Burningham
Mr. Gumpy accepts more and more riders on his boat until the inevitable occurs.

The Little House, by Virginia Lee Burton
E Burton
A country house is unhappy when the city, with all its buildings and traffic, grows up around her.

The Very Hungry Catepillar, by Eric Carl
E Carle
Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the caterpillar ate on successive days. On board pages.

Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney
E Cooney
Great-aunt Alice Rumphius was once a little girl who loved the sea, longed to visit faraway places, and wished to do something to make the world more beatiful.

Click, Clack, Moo, by Doreen Cronin
E Cronin
When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn they start making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.

Strega Nona: an original tale, by Tomie De Paola
E De Paola
When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gag
E Gag
How can an old man and his wife select one cat from a choice of millions and trillions?

The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
E Keats
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf
E Leaf
Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

A Color of his Own, by Leo Lionni
E Lionni
A little chameleon is distressed that he doesn't have his own color like other animals.

Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey
E McCloskey
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Garden with their eight offspring.

Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch
E Munsch
A princess outsmarts a dragon and gets rid of him for good. In the process, she finds that it is better to be a smart princess than a pretty one.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter
E Potter
Peter disobeys his mother by going into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught.

Curious George, by H.A. Rey
E Rey
The curiosity of a newly-captured monkey gets him into continual trouble.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen
E Rosen
Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud, and other obstacles before the inevitable encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat.

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
E Sendak
A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.

Caps for Sale, by Ephyr Slobodkina
E Slobodkina
A band of mischievous monkeys steals every one of a peddler's caps while he takes a nap under a tree.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig
E Steig
In a moment of fright Sylvester the donkey asks his magic pebble to turn him into a rock but then cannot hold the pebble to wish himself back to normal again .

Joseph Had an Overcoat, By Simms Taback
E Taback
A very old overcoat is recycled numerous times into a variety of garments.

E Waber
Ira Sleeps Over, by Bernard Waber
A little boy is excited at the prospect of spending the night at his friend's house but worries how he'll get along without his teddy bear.

Farmer Duck, by Martin Waddell
E Waddell
When a kind and hardworking duck nearly collapses from overwork, while taking care of a farm because the owner is too lazy to do so, the rests of the animals get together and chase the farmer out of town

E Wood
The Napping House, by Audrey Wood
In this cumulative tale, a wakeful flea atop a number of sleeping creatures causes a commotion, with just one bite.

Harry, the Dirty Dog, by Gene Zion
E Zion
When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn't recognize him as a black dog with white spots.