ZoZos Books

The #1 children’s book can vary depending on the source and criteria used. However, some of the most popular and widely beloved children’s books of all time include the following books and a couple of thoughts about why kids, parents and teachers like them. 

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Reasons kids like it:

1.  Fun and playful rhyming language that is easy to understand and memorable.
2. Whimsical and silly illustrations that capture their imagination and sense of humor.
3. Engaging storyline that is relatable and entertaining.

Reasons parents like it:

1. Educational value in teaching children basic reading and language skills.
2. Promotes creativity, imagination, and critical thinking.
3. Provides an opportunity for bonding through shared reading and play.

Reasons teachers like it:

1. Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness and decoding.
2. Encourages creativity and imagination through storytelling and rhyming.
3. Helps with social-emotional learning through exploring themes of friendship and problem-solving.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Reasons kids like it:

1. Relatable characters that they can identify with and care about.
2. Engaging plot that is both exciting and emotional.
3. Gentle humor that is appropriate for all ages.

Reasons parents like it:

1. Teaches valuable lessons about friendship, empathy, and the circle of life.
2. Promotes literacy development and critical thinking skills.
3. Offers opportunities for meaningful discussion and reflection.

Reasons teachers like it:

1. Teaches important themes and messages that can be connected to real-life situations.
2. Develops critical thinking skills through exploring complex characters and their motivations.
3. Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as science and language arts.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Reasons kids like it:

• Imaginative and fantastical illustrations that spark their creativity and curiosity.
• Relatable themes of emotions and imagination.
• Engaging storyline that is both exciting and emotional.

Reasons parents like it:

• Teaches important life skills such as empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Promotes creativity and imagination.
• Provides an opportunity for bonding through shared reading and reflection.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Teaches valuable lessons about emotional regulation and social-emotional learning.
• Develops critical thinking skills through exploring the symbolism and imagery in the book.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as language arts and art.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Reasons kids like it:

• Calming and soothing language that helps them relax and fall asleep.
• Simple and easy-to-understand story that is appropriate for young children.
• Bright and colorful illustrations that capture their attention and imagination.

Reasons parents like it:

• Provides a calming bedtime routine that helps children transition to sleep.
• Develops literacy skills such as vocabulary and memory.
• Offers an opportunity for bonding and connection through shared reading.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops early literacy skills such as phonemic awareness and print awareness.
• Encourages language development through repetitive language and rhyme.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as science and art.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Reasons kids like it:

• Simple and easy-to-understand story that is relatable and emotional.
• Engaging characters that they can care about and learn from.
• Beautiful and expressive illustrations that capture their attention and imagination.

Reasons parents like it:

• Teaches valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and selflessness.
• Provides opportunities for meaningful discussion and reflection.
• Develops literacy skills through storytelling and vocabulary building.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Teaches important themes and messages that can be connected to real-life situations.
• Develops critical thinking skills through exploring complex characters and their motivations.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as language arts and social-emotional learning.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Reasons kids like it:

• Whimsical and playful language that is fun to read and memorize.
• Engaging characters and storyline that capture their imagination and sense of humor.Unique and creative illustrations that make the story even more enjoyable.

Reasons parents like it:

• Helps children expand their vocabulary and improve their reading skills.
• Encourages children to try new things and be open-minded.
• Provides an opportunity for shared reading and bonding time.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Encourages creativity and imagination through storytelling and word play.
• Can be used to teach important concepts such as rhyme, repetition, and persuasive language.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Reasons kids like it:

• Colorful and visually engaging illustrations that capture their attention and imagination.
• Repetitive language and predictable storyline that is easy to follow and remember.
• Teaches important lessons about growth, change, and transformation.

Reasons parents like it:

• Encourages healthy eating habits and an appreciation for nature.
• Teaches important concepts such as counting, days of the week, and life cycles.
• Provides an opportunity for bonding and shared reading time.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Encourages curiosity and exploration through learning about nature and science.
• Can be used to teach important concepts such as sequencing, patterns, and cause and effect.

Curious George by H.A. Rey

Reasons kids like it:

• Engaging and mischievous main character that they can relate to and enjoy.
• Adventures and activities that capture their imagination and curiosity.
• Simple and easy-to-follow storyline that is appropriate for young children.

Reasons parents like it:

• Teaches valuable lessons about curiosity, problem-solving, and consequences.
• Provides an opportunity for bonding and shared reading time.
• Develops early literacy skills such as vocabulary and comprehension.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Encourages curiosity and exploration through learning about science and different cultures.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as language arts and social studies.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Reasons kids like it:

• Relatable and endearing characters that they can identify with and care about.
• Engaging and imaginative stories that capture their attention and imagination.
• Teaches important lessons about friendship, kindness, and problem-solving.

Reasons parents like it:

• Teaches valuable life skills and lessons through relatable and charming stories.
• Provides an opportunity for bonding and shared reading time.
• Develops early literacy skills such as vocabulary and comprehension.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Teaches important themes and messages that can be connected to real-life situations.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as language arts and social-emotional learning.

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Reasons kids like it:

• Engaging and lovable main character that they can relate to and enjoy.
• Whimsical and charming illustrations that capture their attention and imagination.
• Teaches important lessons about friendship, self-acceptance, and perseverance.

Reasons parents like it:

• Teaches valuable life skills and lessons through relatable and charming stories.
• Provides an opportunity for bonding and shared reading time.
• Develops early literacy skills such as vocabulary and comprehension.

Reasons teachers like it:

• Develops literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Teaches important themes and messages that can be connected to real-life situations.
• Provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning, such as language arts and social-emotional learning.