For many, our first memories are of books. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home with lots of books to explore and weekly trips to the library. I loved devouring books in the solitude of my room or sharing them with others, whether that was taking a favorite book to school to read to the class or reading aloud at home to a smaller, quieter audience of stuffed animals lined up at the end of my bed.

The research is in, and there’s a myriad of cognitive benefits associated with reading picture books with children (or reading at any age, really). Not only does reading help to expand vocabulary and strengthen visual skills, it also helps kids learn about the world around them, teaching life lessons, whether big or small, through simple stories.

It’s also just a whole lot of fun. Watching their eyes light up at the silly illustrations or hearing a giggle at your funny character voices is a special and unique bonding experience, and there’s nothing quite like it for both the reader and the listener.

Some of my childhood favorites that have since become classics:

Corduroy by Don Freeman

This classic was first introduced to young readers in 1968, and the heartwarming story still resonates today. Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he’s the bear for her. Her mother, though, thinks he’s a little shopworn. He’s even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work, he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a nighttime adventure through the department store, searching for a new button!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Alexander could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people, too.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

If a hungry little traveler shows up at your house, you might want to give him a cookie. If you give him a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. He’ll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache, and then he’ll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim.…The consequences of giving a cookie to this energetic mouse run the young host ragged, but young readers will come away smiling at the antics that tumble like dominoes through the pages of this delightful picture book.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Readers young and old are sure to treasure this inspiring book, which brings to life the magic of Christmas for all who believe.

The Mitten by Jan Brett

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it’s missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the boarders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what’s going on.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Princess Elizabeth is excited to marry dreamy Prince Ronald, but then a dragon attacks the castle, kidnaps her prince and burns all her clothes. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth dons a paper bag, finds and outsmarts the dragon, and rescues Ronald—who's less-than-pleased at her unprincesslike appearance. What’s a modern-day princess to do? Read this delightful tale to find out.

Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard

The kids in room 207 don’t know how lucky they are to have a nice teacher like Miss Nelson until their misbehavior causes her disappearance, and they get Miss Viola Swamp for a substitute.

For a different perspective, I asked my 7-year-old for a few of her favorite books. Here’s her list:

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale

Kid review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Kitty-Corn is soooo cute. She thinks she’s a unicorn. I think she can be anything she wants!”

This magically heartwarming story about a kitty who feels like she actually might be a unicorn and a unicorn who feels like she might actually be a kitty is a delightful tale that teaches kids to celebrate friendship, and to be exactly who you want to be.

With bright and cute illustrations, and the inclusion of my daughter’s two favorite animals (mystical and real), this fits the bill. Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn continues the perfectly unicorn-y story.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Kid review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Trixie loses her bunny, but it’s okay. It’s funny ‘cause her Daddy always looks like ’Nooo, not again!’"

I could’ve wept when this 3-part series was complete. But lucky for me, Mo Willems has more to discover after the Knuffle Bunny series, like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Ducking Gets a Cookie and many more.

Trixie loves her stuffed Knuffle Bunny. Throughout the series, she grows from a babbling baby to a big kid, all the while losing (and finding!) her treasured Knuffle Bunny, but learning many lessons along the way.

Pete the Cat’s Groovy Imagination by Kimberly & James Dean

Kid review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Pete doesn’t care if he gets his shoes messy or anything. He just has fun.”

Pete is one cool, calm dude. He takes life in stride, going on epic adventures with his friends like this one: When the cloudy gray sky cancels Pete the Cat's beach day plans, a big box is all he needs to beat the rainy-day blues.

Pete’s “it’s all goooood” attitude is the perfect reminder for little ones to keep their cool when things don’t go their way. There are so many more to love in the Pete the Cat series including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes and Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons.

Browse through this list for more recommended picture books and read-alongs.

Want to revisit some of your childhood favorites, or find some new ones? Browse the Libby reading app from your library to find picture books that you can enjoy again and again for years to come.