23 Forgotten Children’s Books That Parenting Editors Couldn’t Put Down as a Child

This beautiful set contains 23 stories about the strangest, best-dressed animals that live in the British countryside. When most people think of Beatrix Potter, they think of Peter Rabbit, but the entire series—Squirrel Nuts, Two Bad Mice, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle—is A work of rural fantasy. Best of all, each book is perfectly sized for little hands (something Potter himself insisted on when first published). I believe this set of books was the foundation for my love of reading today. —Jamie Kenney, deputy news and entertainment editor

This lovely book is an early theme Reading Rainbow plot, which is probably where I learned about it. Nothing big happened—a 19th-century New Hampshire farmer packed up everything his family produced for a year and took it to the Portsmouth market to sell. What makes this film so special is the beautiful rhythm of its text, originally published as a poem in The New Yorker in 1977. As is often the case with studio films. It respects children and takes them seriously as little people who can appreciate language. It probably also produced an entire generation of quilting machines. — Kelly Fairblot, Executive Editor

I actually still have this book and it wasn’t until I tried reading it to my kids that I realized it was a super simple “first reader” type of book. I think that’s probably part of the reason I loved it—I was an early reader who loved reading—but the story of a little monkey distracted by his love of pasta really touched my heart as a kid. The illustration of the monkey and her manic joy is forever etched in my memory. — Samantha Darby, Senior Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

This is an underappreciated classic by Maurice Sendak. This is the story of a little boy who dreams of cooking. The pictures are amazing, and this is a slightly offbeat, completely hysterical book. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

I don’t know why this book was so popular when I was a kid, but I often borrowed it from my elementary school library. Maybe the idea of ​​sitting down and drinking tea with a friendly oversized spider would be just right for me (I’d love it too) Alice in Wonderland, So this track). I still remember some favorite illustrations. It doesn’t appear to be in print anymore, but there are plenty of used copies for sale on Amazon.—Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

If you were a kid who really enjoyed this book, there’s a good chance you were a goth in your teenage years. This classic children’s horror film gave us “The Green Ribbon” and other horror stories that opened the door to scarier stories to come. This is the perfect book to read and see if you’re ready Scary stories told in the dark. —Jamie Kenney, deputy news and entertainment editor

This book delighted me throughout my childhood and I can’t even guess how many times I had my mom read it before I read it myself. Puns about dressing chickens and drawing curtains have always appealed to me, and I think that’s part of why I’ve learned to enjoy funny phrasing so much. —Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

I could write an entire college essay using this book; I actually used it to write my college admissions essay. Not only does this book look beautiful, but its message is clear and perfect. There are three important things in life: live by the sea, travel to faraway places, and leave the world a better place than you found it. I give this quote to every new parent out there, I know it so well I can recite it to my own children. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

This is a wonderful series about two friends who seem very different but are very good friends. The books are made up of short chapters in which two people show each other and what it means to be supportive and kind. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

I was first drawn to this book because I share a name with the main character, a snowplow affectionately known as Katie. Written and illustrated by Massachusetts artist Virginia Lee Burton, the book takes place in a small town after a snowstorm. Hero Katie helps clean all the streets and doesn’t stop until the job is done. As a kid growing up in New England, I loved this winter’s tale, and now my kids love it too. — Katy Elliott, Senior Editor, Personal Stories

To me, this is a classic. It caters to the kids’ situation – it’s okay to have bad moments, but be a good person – and the cartoons are hysterical. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

In the book, Grover is terrified of the monster promised at the end of the book and urges readers not to go any further so they can avoid it. I could probably recite this book from memory when my mother read it to me as a child. I can see why it’s my favorite – kids love having agency and challenging authority in a fun way, but they often don’t get those things in their daily lives (understandable, since kids are messed up, No prefrontal) cortex). They also like to interact with the media, and this book is basically dora the explorer or blues clue its day. So it’s hilarious that when Grover begs you not to turn the page, you turn the page. —Jamie Kenney, deputy news and entertainment editor

I love these books. George and Martha are hippos who are constantly having adventures, doing silly things, and living their lives. It’s cute and suitable for kids to eat. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

You know how there are certain foods in animated movies that you can eat almost anything? As a little girl, all I wanted was to be able to pet this adorable puppy and feel the soft little wrinkles on its back. It’s soothing to read and listen to aloud, the illustrations are treasured, and it’s the perfect low-stakes bedtime story. —Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

My husband read this book as a child and introduced it to our children. This book is silly, rhymes, and fun, making it an enjoyable book for kids who want to “read” it on their own. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

I was drawn to this book because the artwork was unlike anything in my other favorite books. If memory serves, the girl at the center of the story ate a batch of lima beans or something and ended up with severe streaks. Revelry ensues. —Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

OMG, this book grabbed me. It’s the story of a little bird who thinks all other animals are his mother – dogs, cows, etc. – until finally he realizes who his mother is. It rhymes and is definitely a little weird, but my kids are obsessed with it. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

OMG I am obsessed with this classic book. I think it’s the bright colors of the illustration – the synergy of orange, green and blue burns brightly in my mind. But the book is also silly, and the scene in the tree with all the monkeys wearing hats is one of my favorites. —Samantha Darby, senior editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

This book, written by the great William Steiger, tells the story of a little girl whose mother was a seamstress. She gets her big break making a dress for a wealthy woman, but she gets sick so she can’t deliver the dress. Despite the horrific snowstorm, Erin delivered the gown herself. As the title suggests, this book is about bravery, kindness, and service to others. As a kid, whenever it snowed heavily, my mom and I always joked that we had to go out and do what we had to do like brave Erin. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

I don’t know why this book was my favorite as a kid, but I will definitely have it on my son’s bookshelf. Now, every time we read it, I mentally laugh at how similar the rat and I are. I’m the same way, walk into a new room, start a super deep activity, and then quickly forget about it when my brain moves on to other things. —Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

This is a perfect children’s book: it teaches about individuality, the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of peer pressure, and the importance of embracing nonviolence. This is just the best. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief

I rediscovered this book as I was shopping for more Robert Munsch books for my girls (IYKYK) and when I saw the cover on Amazon I screamed out loud. I have such an immediate memory of reading this book over and over again – it’s about a girl named Stephanie who keeps trying new hairstyles, only to have her classmates copy her the next day – and fall in love with Illustration of a family. —Samantha Darby, senior editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

i spy Our school library is always sold out. Some scenes are still so vivid in my mind, like the scene with a giant blue dollhouse in a child’s bedroom, or the fantasy edition cover with clouds full of hidden white objects. They were fun to work with alone or with friends, and looking back now they feel like a perfect comfort book for kids. —Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment