Must-Have Classic Picture Books Every Parent Should Know

In an age of fast-moving trends and flashy covers, there’s something deeply comforting—and enriching—about sharing a book that’s stood the test of time. These are the books that have rocked generations to sleep, inspired imaginations, and sparked some of a child's very first connections to language, love, and the world around them.

We’re revisiting some must-have classic picture books—and the authors behind them—organized by decades, so parents can build a thoughtful, lasting home library. From the poetic simplicity of Goodnight Moon to the haunting beauty of The Polar Express, these books aren’t just old—they’re essential.

🌙 1940s: The Bedtime Blueprint

🐇 Margaret Wise Brown – Goodnight Moon (1947)

If there’s one book nearly every parent and child have read, it’s Goodnight Moon. With its gentle rhythm and cozy cadence, Margaret Wise Brown created a timeless lullaby of a book. The soft illustrations by Clement Hurd paired with the poetic “goodnights” model how to create calm and presence at bedtime. This one never goes out of style—for good reason.

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📗 1950s–1960s: Imagination Awakens

👑 Maurice Sendak – Where the Wild Things Are (1963)

A landmark in children’s literature, Sendak’s wild rumpus changed how emotions were handled in picture books. Max’s journey—anger, fantasy, and return—is every child’s. The artwork, language, and silence in this book are equally powerful.

🐸 Arnold Lobel – Frog and Toad Are Friends (1970)

Lobel’s beloved amphibians offer stories about anxiety, friendship, and quiet perseverance—written with warmth and understated humor. These short chapter-like tales are perfect for early readers and read-alouds alike.

🚜 Virginia Lee Burton – The Little House (1942)

An enduring metaphor about change, home, and belonging, with stunning illustrations and a bittersweet tone.

🌼 1970s: Gentle Humor & Deeper Themes

🧺 Rosemary Wells – Noisy Nora (1973)

Wells’s mouse stories are charming and emotionally real. Noisy Nora highlights sibling frustration and the need to be seen—something every parent of multiple kids will relate to.

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🌞 Tomie dePaola – Strega Nona (1975)

With rich colors and folkloric style, dePaola’s warmhearted tales blend humor, magic, and moral lessons. His art is distinctive, and his characters—especially wise old Strega Nona—feel like family.

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🕊️ 1980s–1990s: Emotion, Wonder & Social Awareness

🌌 Chris Van Allsburg – The Polar Express (1985)

Magical, mysterious, and tinged with melancholy, Van Allsburg’s books are cinematic in scope and tone. The Polar Express captures belief, memory, and childhood imagination. A true classic that spans all ages.

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🕯️ Eve Bunting – Fly Away Home (1991)

Few authors trust children to understand deep topics like Eve Bunting. In Fly Away Home, a boy and his father live in an airport, revealing homelessness through a child’s perspective—quiet, emotional, and brave. Bunting’s stories create empathy and open doors to important conversations.

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✨ Why These Books Still Matter

🛒 Building Your Shelf? Start with These 10 Essentials:

💬 Final Thought

New books will always sparkle with novelty, but the classics endure for a reason. They're steady. They're soulful. They offer your child not just a story, but a memory—one you may have held in your own hands as a kid.

So next time you visit the library or bookstore, make time for the past. It might just be your child’s favorite future.