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31 Classic Children's Picture Books You Can Listen to With Your Kids

Ahh.....

There's nothing quite like the simple joy of snuggling up with a good book and making memories with your kids.

Especially the books we read and enjoyed during our own childhood.

The thing is.....with stores and libraries closed, or only open limited hours during the pandemic, accessing books can be difficult - especially those that you don’t already own or have in your personal collection.

And, what better way to wind down at bedtime with your little ones than sharing some of the classic tales?

That's where Pinna comes in, with its large number of classic stories many of us grew up reading and loving, there’s plenty to re-discover!

Here are 31 classic children's picture books you can find on Pinna that you may remember from your childhood.

1. The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day

Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, this 1962 story follows Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the season’s first snowfall.

2. Titch

Titch by Pat Hutchins

A boy discovers that being little can mean big things in this charming story by author-illustrator Pat Hutchins, first published in 1971.

3. Angus and the Ducks

Angus and the Duck

When the door is left open one day, Angus decides to explore and meet the neighbors in the classic tale published in 1930 – written and illustrated by Marjorie Flack.

4. Blueberries for Sal

Blueberries for Sal

Written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey, the story of what happens when Sal and her mother meet a mother bear and her cub has been charming readers’ hearts since its first publication in 1949.

5. Madeline’s Rescue

Madeline's Rescue

A follow up to Ludwig Bemelmans’ 1939 original Madeline, this story, published in 1953, follows the adventure of the brave girl and the unexpected (and furry) heroine that saves the day.

6. Harry the Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog

Originally published in 1956, this beloved children's book about a dirty white dog with black spots - or black dog with white spots - was written by Gene Zion and illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham.

7. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

After finding a magic pebble, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results in this classic tale by author-illustrator William Steig, first published in 1969.

8. The Little House

The Little House

This poignant story by author-illustrator Virginia Lee Burton of a cute country cottage that becomes engulfed by the city that grows up around it was first published in 1942.

9. Caps For Sale

Caps for Sale

This 1940 published tale of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys by author-illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina is filled with warmth, humor, and witt.

10. Strega Nona

Strega Nona

First published in 1975, this classic tale by Tomie dePaola tells the story of Grandma Witch and her magical pot.

11. Lentil

Lentil

A boy longing to make music starts playing a harmonica and practices constantly wherever he is in this charming story by author-illustrator Robert McCloskey, first published in 1940.

12. The Tomten

the Tomten by Astrid Lindgren

Written by beloved Swedish author Astrid Lindgren and illustrated by Harald Wiberg, this 1961 published story introduces readers to a troll who walks about a lonely old farmhouse on a winter’s night.

13. No Roses for Harry

No Roses for Harry!

Harry is not so happy with his new sweater but it isn’t until an unexpected visitor enters the picture that his problem may be solved in this 1958 story by Gene Zion (illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham.

14. Whistle For Willie

First published in 1964, this is the classic story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog, Willie, and persists until he does, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats.

15. Curious George Rides a Bike

Curious George rides a bike

After making his first appearance in 1941, the curious monkey has had many adventures including getting a bike in this story written and illustrated by H.A. Rey, first published in 1952.

16. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel

Since it was first published in 1939, this story by Virginia Lee Burton is a classic tale of friendship, resilience, and old-fashioned hard work as Mike works to prove that his trusty steam shovel can dig.

17. The Story About Ping

The Story About Ping

Set on the Yangtze River in Asia, this story written by Marjorie Flack and illustrated by Kurt Wiese in 1933 focuses on a duck who decides to set out on his own to explore life on the river.

18. Make Way For Ducklings

Make Way for Ducklings

In the classic story first published in 1941, readers follow two mallards who are searching for the perfect place to raise a family in Boston – written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey.

19. Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

This 1963 children's picture book by writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak focuses on a boy named Max as he goes to bed and finds himself on an island with mythical creatures and malicious beasts.

20. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Written by Beatrix Potter and originally published in 1901, the classic tale follows Peter after he disobeys his mother and enters MacGregor’s vegetable garden, losing his new coat and barely making it home alive.

21. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter

Number 4 in the series by Beatrix Potter, this story, which was first published in 1904, follows Peter Rabbit’s cousin Benjamin as he and Peter venture into Mr. McGregor’s garden and what happens to them when they meet a cat!

22. The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher

The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter

Published in 1906 and written by Beatrix Potter, this story follows Mr. Jeremy on a day full of the worst fisherman’s mishaps while catching minnows for dinner.

23. Noisy Nora

Noisy Nora

No one notices Nora until she starts making noise and suddenly stops in this 1973 published story, written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells,

24. The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit

First published in 1922 and written by Margery Williams and originally illustrated by William Nicholson, The Velveteen Rabbit chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit’s desire to become real through the love of his owner.

25. Tikki Tikki Tembo

Tikki Tikki Tembo

This classic retelling of an ancient Chinese folktale written by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent, about a boy with a long name who fell down a well, was first published in 1968.

26. The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen

Written and illustrated by Paul Galdone, this cautionary tale first published in 1973 about how we reap what we sow focuses on a hen as she bakes a cake from the ground up with no help from the cat, dog or mouse,

27. May I Bring a Friend?

An imaginative boy brings a surprising array of friends to dine at the palace in this 1964 story by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers (illustrated by Beni Montresor).

28. Millions of Cats

Millions of Cats

After an old man brings home millions of cats and ending up with one is a classic tale written by Wanda Gag and first published in 1928

29. Danny and the Dinosaur

Danny and the Dinosaur

A boy befriends a dinosaur at the museum and a wonderful adventure begins in this story by author-illustrator Syd Hoff and first published in 1958,

30. Petunia

Petunia

Written and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin, this classic story published in 1950 features a silly goose who finds a book and, deciding that if she owns a book she must be wise, starts dispensing advice to the other animals on the farm.

31. Peter’s Chair

Peter's Chair

Originally published in 1967, this third book in the Peter series by author-illustrator Ezra Jackson Keats deals with new siblings and growing up.



We’re all ears!
What was your favorite book as a kid? We’d love to hear from you. Find us on all our social media platforms - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Amy Thetford

Amy Thetford

Amy is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom to her tribe of tiny humans. She's fueled by coffee and the desire to do ALL. THE. THINGS. She blogs about all things motherhood at realtalkwithamy.com