29 classic children’s books to share with your kids

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares' efforts to express their love for each other. It will no doubt be a classic your child will cherish as they copy and try to show you how much they love you. One reviewer remembers this book from her own childhood, commenting, "I remember this from my childhood and when I saw it on Amazon, I just had to get it to read to my baby daughter. Really sweet and heartwarming."

The original classic by Beatrix Potter, one of the best-loved children's authors of all time, tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden. One reviewer recalls how her own mother would read this book to her: "Purchased this to read to my children, just how my mother would read this to me. Perfect children's book by a brilliant author." This board book is perfect for little hands, so you can introduce them to Peter Rabbit at an earlier age, and it's full of the original, beautiful illustrations to bring the magic to life.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a lasting favourite with children and adults alike. One reviewer says it's her daughter's favourite book, commenting, "number one greatest book my daughter has got. It's something about the artwork and the holes (from the caterpillar munching) that fascinates her." With imaginative, colourful illustrations and clever cut-out details for the caterpillar-munched holes, follow the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week.

Casting spells on young readers for over 20 years, this modern classic tells the story of the boy Harry Potter, his discovery of the wizarding world, and his beginnings at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One reviewer says it's suitable for all ages, commenting, "I cannot recommend the book enough for adults and children alike. It's a great book to get children interested in other books, even if you read them this and they start to read the others themselves." It's an incredible adventure of magic and friendship, and the first of many books to capture your child's imagination.

This classic picture book by Judith Kerr was first published in 1968 and is still a bookshelf favourite to this day! One reviewer loves the message behind this book, commenting, "The main sentiments of this story, of course is that you should make time, to be with the ones you love/value. Even if it's just for a few hours. The illustrations are fabulous. Timeless and wonderful to pass on to your own children and so on." This warm and funny story tells of Sophie and her extraordinary teatime guest, a big furry, stripy tiger who ends up eating all their food.

Not only is Where's Spot? a much-loved classic, but it's also the first ever lift-the-flap book. "Nostalgia hit me like a brick with this book!" commented one reviewer. "I remember it from my own childhood. I've now brought it for my 8-month-old son. He absolutely loves it! He runs his finger across the pages, trying to find the flap, and then opens and closes it many times." They continued. Little ones will love joining the hunt and lifting the flaps to see where the mischievous puppy Spot may be hiding.

Who didn't chant 'We're going on a bear hunt' as a child? This book by Michael Rosen follows a family going on a bear hunt, travelling through swishy-swashy, splash-sploshy obstacles on their way. "Reading this to my baby boy, brings back memories of when I was a child," commented one reviewer. "The sing-song nature of the verses is extremely soothing for my child - ideal before bedtime!" They continued. This is definitely a fun read for little ones who will love to join in and chant aloud.

After being sent to bed for being a 'wild thing', Max's bedroom transforms into a jungle, and he sails to an island full of The Wild Things. "I love this book as it is from my childhood. It is a gift for my 12 month old son so he can grow with this great book." Said one reviewer. A story bursting with adventure, it's a great book for sparking a child's imagination.

This heartwarming picture book by Shirley Hughes creates a reassuring world for children. One reviewer commented, "This was one of my favourite books as a child and I bought if for my goddaughter. It's a great read, has a lovely story and always made me smile when I read it." It tells the endearing story of how Dogger, the much-loved toy dog, was lost and finally found again, bringing plenty of joy to little ones who probably have a similar favourite toy or teddy of their own.

Who could resist this lovable, joyful elephant? "Purchased for a friend's baby shower as a book I enjoyed as a kid. Great little story about a patchwork elephant with a cute message," commented one reviewer. This modern classic celebrates differences and diversity through Elmer, the colourful patchwork elephant, who stands out from his fellow grey elephants. He tries to fit in by disguising himself, but they love him just the way he is!

With fun and fantastical rhymes, The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss is a worldwide favourite. One reviewer said, "I am a grown woman and bought it for myself, for the pure indulgence of reading it again, as I once did to my children when they were small." When Sally and her brother are left home alone on a dull day, the Cat in the Hat comes to brighten their day! Full of mischief and mayhem and a great book for early readers.

For nearly sixty years, Paddington Bear has touched the hearts of adults and children worldwide with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. "I love reading Paddington Bear, I bought this to bring back my childhood." Commented one reviewer. Treat your child to the original tale of the extraordinary bear that appeared at Paddington Station.

Take a trip into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory full of sweets and wonder. One mum reviewer found this book got her kids excited for bedtime, commenting, "After running out of books to read and keep my boys interested in I decided to buy this classic as I always loved it as a child and I got it straight to my kindle. It appeals to both of my boys aged 12 and 5, they absolutely love it and now can't get to bed quick enough ready for the next chapter!" With a chocolate river, crafty squirrels, and mysterious Oompa Loompas, young readers will enjoy this Roald Dahl masterpiece just as much as we did.

Introduce this silly old bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, to your little ones who can dive into his adventures with his loveable friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. One mum reviewer purchased this as a gift for her grown-up daughter to read to her when she gets a bit older. "The detail in the book is wonderful and my daughter was thrilled with it." In this story, Pooh gets into a tight place, nearly catches a Woozle and heads off on an 'expotition' to the North Pole.

Joyful, funny, and deeply moving, Charlotte's Web is the story of a little girl and her farmyard friends who are trying to save Wilbur, their very special pig. One mum finds it a very emotional read when reading to her little one, commenting, "I am now reading it at bedtime to my 6 year old and he quite likes it. I need to explain the themes a bit more but he is happy to chat about them. It still makes me cry decades later at the end!" It's a timeless story about the power of friendship and celebrating what makes everyone special.

More than 80 years since we first met Mary Poppins, this original, classic story is still charming readers and transporting new fans into the mysterious world of everyone's favourite magical nanny. One mum reviewer said, "It's a long time since I read the original Mary Poppins stories and I had forgotten how many lovely little details there are." It's alive with adventure and that Mary Poppins' magic!

Perfect for children who are full of weird and wacky imagined stories, this book will go down a treat. One mum reviewer thinks it's great for all ages, commenting, "One of my favourite books as a child. Now as an adult I thought I would give it another go. Can't believe how quickly I was lost in the world of Alice and just completely forgot about the world around me. Great for all ages and a timeless classic." In a strange world with even stranger characters, Alice meets a grinning cat and a rabbit with a pocket watch, joins a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, and plays croquet with the Queen. A fantasyland that'll have been enthralled.

Pippi is a young girl who loves spending her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbours, Tommy and Annika, and telling outrageous stories. One parent reviewer says, "I think she's a great role model for kids, she might be a little mischievous at times, but she has a kind heart and is a loyal friend." She's quirky and a little rebellious, perfect for little ones with their own free spirit.

Another Roald Dahl classic comes the story of Matilda. She's a brilliant girl with a magical mind who loves to read, despite her parents. Products Editor Lorna White loves Matilda, commenting, "The story of Matilda teaches little ones some very important lessons on friendships, resilience and is a brilliant story to inspire young girls." She uses her newfound magic to change her story and shows just how extraordinary children can be, especially in the face of bullies.

The Velveteen Rabbit is an all-time favourite classic and tells the story of the Velveteen Rabbit's journey towards becoming 'real' through the love of a child. One mum reviewer says "This is the best edition with beautiful illustrations, in my opinion. It has a beautiful message and it's a great read for children and adults alike." With messages about the importance of love and inner beauty, this book is sure to delight young readers.

The most loved of all the Chronicles, this wonderful tale can be enjoyed again and again. Lucy and her siblings step into the Professor's wardrobe to step out again into a snowy forest. One mum reviewer thinks it's best for older kids, commenting "the characters were very funny and the idea of a secret world inside a wardrobe is amazing. Definitely recommend to people 8 and up." A magical world of Narnia, a land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns, and the evil White Witch, they help Aslan, the great lion, to free the country's creatures.

This classic coming-of-age American story follows the lives of the four March sisters from childhood to womanhood. One reviewer said, "Bought this for my granddaughter. She loves the story which is a classic and the book is very nicely presented." They couldn't be more different but are united in their love for each other and their struggles to survive during the Civil War.

This classic, bestselling fantasy novel from Tolkien tells of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who is whisked on an adventure with the company of dwarves and Gandalf the wizard to raid the treasure of Smaug the Magnificent - a dragon. Although it might be quite a lengthy book, one reviewer thinks it's great for kids, commenting, "The Hobbit was originally intended for the pleasure of children and was, I understand, created with that purpose in mind. Even so, it can be enjoyed by children of all ages." It's full of exciting adventure and the magic of Middle-Earth.

The Secret Garden tells the story of a young girl who loses her parents very suddenly and is then forced to swap her warm Indian home for a bleak English manor house. Great for older kids, one reviewer said, "This was one of my all-time favourite reads as a child. I am yet to find a ten-year-old girl who does not love this story." But in this house, she uncovers many secrets and finds herself along the way in the wondrous playground of flora and fauna.

The Little Prince is not just a classic tale - it's the bestselling children's book of all time! After an aircraft pilot crashes in the desert, he's greeted by a young boy from another planet who tells him stories of intergalactic travel. One reviewer who read it as a child said, "It's an old story which I used to read at school and now wanted to introduce it to my children and discuss the meaning behind it." It's a beautiful, mindful, and thought-provoking story well suited to kids and adults.

Surrounded by the secret beauty of riverbanks and forests, this much-loved classic tells the tale of Mole and his fun adventures with his animal friends Ratty and Badger and the slightly more chaotic adventures of Toad. One reviewer loves this book, commenting, "A family favourite in a new illustrated book which would be a perfect addition to any child's bookcase and would make a wonderful gift. A lovely reminder that the best children's classics can be read over and over no matter what age you are." It's charming and a lesson of how friendship can overcome any obstacle.

What Katy Did follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old American girl, Katy Carr, who intends to be beautiful and beloved but is instead untidy, tall, and gangling. One reviewer commented how they're a great book for all ages, saying, "They are lovely, beautifully written and entertaining even as an adult. Recommended from ages 8 to 80." When an accidental fall from a swing seems to threaten her hopes for the future, she overcomes her difficulties with good humour, kindness, and pluck.

We're off to Neverland! If your kid is a fan of the Disney favourite, they're sure to love the classic storybook by J M Barrie. According to one reviewer these books are great for kids of all ages, commenting, "both stories in this book come to you as stimulating and enjoyable experiences, recreating a little of the wonderful world of childhood and 'imagination' for 'young people' of any age." Full of the same characters with pirates, mermaids, Lost Boys and more, they'll be going on a literary adventure of their own.

Swallows and Amazons is a classic children's adventure book that follows the play of two families of children in the Lake District. One mum reviewer who bought it for her 7 year old loved this book, commenting, "The book did not disappoint - it's a classic. Very well written, with incredible detail about the characters, the boats and the terrain. Our son loved it." It's a summer full of discovery, friendship and outdoor adventures with sailing, camping fishing, and a play fight between the Swallow and Amazons.