<![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time? - Gawker Comments]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time? - Gawker Comments]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Call me old-fashioned but when I was a kid my favorite books were Treasure Island, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Time Machine, Le Petit Prince and Robison Crusoe. The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan were high on my list.

deadlizard

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> a wizard of earthsea.

slinkimalinki

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> I recently read Charlotte's Web outloud to my daughter. What I would give to write one sentence as beautifully as any in that book.
As for the Cat in the Hat: it's sinister--what is the mother doing out, leaving the kid's alone for god's sake?--and awful to read outloud. I edit it along the way.
If you have to have a Suess on the list, then it must be The Grinch.
That is all.

Swordfish

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> 1. Nathaniel Rich's "See Spot Run"
2. Simon Rich's "See Funny Judy"
3. Nicola Kristof's "Words? Only Words?"
4. Thomasina Friedman's "The World is Round, like the zeroes in my daddy's bank account!"

trojanhorse

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Um, hi. Delta of Venus? Anyone?

pie

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @famousauthor: Old Yeller anyone?

SayHeyJay

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Any votes for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? (smirk)

SayHeyJay

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Tears guaranteed.

famousauthor

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> While maybe not a book, technically speaking, the Little Match Girl broke my heart in a million places.

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Helman: Holla!

amplesufficiency

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @MisterHippity: YES.

@Helman: D'Aulaires is oddly educational for something so awesome.

I'm glad the fabulous Roald Dahl was acknowledged, but a lot is missing.

I'm with everyone outraged about 'Wrinkle', 'Hobbit', and 'Tollbooth' (sounds like a cool law firm). How about 'The Dark is Rising'? Tamora Pierce's 'Song of the Lioness' series? 'Ender's Game'? 'Catcher in the Rye'?

It's not obvious that books were an adolescent coping mechanism, is it?

amplesufficiency

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Helman: Mixed Up Files was my favorite! I still fantasize about sneaking into the Met, standing on the toilet seat until everyone goes home, and sleeping in the bed of some queen.

Carol Gardens

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Mo MoDo: I assume you jest. Captain Underpants s right up there with Junie B. Jones. Only more obnoxious.

Why no more shout outs for Mixed Up Files? That illustration of the kids foraging for coins in the Met's fountain is BUTTER!

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> How about some Robert McCloskey for the list? Blueberries for Sal, Homer Price, Make Way For Ducklings.

also, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food.

lilpupdog

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

AnnoyingFemaleLeadVoiceover

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Wolves Chronicles (Dido Twite was my hero)
Mistress Malapert (Shakespeare in Lovefor 10-year-olds)
Little Women (for cryin' out loud)

girlhowdy

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Also missing: Madeleine L'Engle; Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Fudge and Ramona.

Moimeme

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @lemmeout: I hadn't realized it was a British list and was wondering at all the Dahl books myself, having NEVER read any of them as a kid. That being said, we were gifted a copy of The Gruffalo by the Brit sister-in-law and it's cute but it's definitely not top 20. I much prefer Q Poodle 5 In Space.

I Don't Get It

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> I still get made fun of by each and every member of my family for my past obsession with The Five books.

Itsjustcatnip

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> They overlooked the entire Captain Underpants series.

Mo MoDo

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where is the Count of Monte Cristo?

Thenoodieblues

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> 'Nobody Poops but You'

HiredGoons

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where is Everybody Poops?

surfbeavernsb

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Ramona books? And a list of children's books means nothing if The Phantom Tollbooth isn't on it.

IHateWhatYouHaveOn

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Good Night Moon, anyone?

MissPeacock

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> what? no goosebumps? no babysitters club?

hotdogfingers

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Who knew that a list of childrens books would spark such debate. My vote is for Catcher in the Rye

NorCal

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Beverly Cleary, Beverly Cleary, Beverly Cleary.
(plus, as mentioned earlier by someone, Harriet the Spy, plus The Long Secret and Sport)

dippinkind

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @fiveinchtaint: Let's not forget 'The Gas We Pass'. I actually bought those books (Everybody Poops and The Gas We Pass) for a friend's birthday, and I also gave her a garden gnome.

NorCal

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @layladylan: I'm sure Pullman isn't happy that the Christian apologist Lewis is #1. Even if His Dark Materials were marketed as YA lit, they should have been included, in my opinion.

ravingidiot

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @MisterHippity: Chicken Soup for the Soul

fivehole

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Zilpha Keatley Snyder. The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid, Eyes In the Fishbowl...

The Liquor Fairy

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Lonesome_George: My first thought as well.
@KimGordonsPanties: Haaaa.

Products Will Save Me

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> If these choices were by Americans I'm sure it would include Old Yeller and Charlotte's Web.

Judy Blume was it for me. As I got older I would move onto the more "adult" books. JB was my constant companion during adolescence. God only knows where I'd be without her!

downlow

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Pat the Bunny.

books with fur > everything else

FitnessMadeSimple

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> What about Flowers In The Attic?

Gregoire

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> If Dr. Seuss only ranks a 15 on this list AND only one of his books makes the list, then there is absolutely no reason for me to take this seriously AT ALL. I sentence this list maker to green eggs and ham until he or she sees the complete error of his/her ways! Grrrrr.

BrainyHistorian

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> No Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooie? Fuck you, Booktrust.

Moff

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where the hell is D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths!! Not to mention the fabulous Once in Future King??

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Seriously, come on. Where is Witches? That book caused me to spend my entire childhood spreading rumors that my teachers were witches if they had big nostrils (which Dahl identifies as one of the key signs of evil).

LuVgOoSe103

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Secret...? Or is that just a best-seller for mental and spiritual childrens?

trustsatan

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series should definitely be on here, unless that is considered to be more for a YA audience than for children.

layladylan

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Harriet the Spy!

She's like, the original Gossip Girl. Or something.

Constant Dater

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @fivehole: Or, in the category of nonfiction children's books for adults:

Who Moved My Cheese?

MisterHippity

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Ed: @lemmeout: Well are they English or retarded?

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Ed: you beat me.

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @MisterHippity: or The Pet Goat, for that matter.

fivehole

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Ah, I thought that said BookSense, but it's Booktrust. That's a UK organization, which explains american writers getting the shaft. But this is fun.
Phantom Toll Booth!

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> This is a British poll. I'm sure an American list would have similarities but some new choices.

Ed

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @LAMilk: Ender's Game I didn't read until like freshman year of high school, but then I read them all.

LOVE The Giver. Obviously. Defintely deserves to be on the list.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where the fuck is The Wizard of Oz?

And the Moomintroll series has a special place in my heart, too.

@Conbon: You are TOTALLY RIGHT about The Westing Game. That book is THE SHIT.

Colonel Mustard

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> They left out Titus Groan? This is fucking bullshit!

Bof

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Yeah, since when does Madeline L'Engle get shafted on a "Best Of" list?

Also, Dark is Rising series? Anybody?

Let us not forget Babar.

Or A Little Princess.

And seriously, am I the only one rooting for Anne Shirley? It's fine if I am, I was just wondering...

LucySteele

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Conbon: Oh my god maybe we went to the same elementary school?
Also, Ender's Game? The Giver?

LAMilk

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Anyone read Fog Magic?

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> -The 100 Dresses
-The Velveteen Rabbit
-Madeline
-Harold and the Purple Crayon
-Valley of the Dolls

I Don't Get It

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @PimpMyCouch: A bum? I think that's right.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Lonesome_George: Indeed. A Wrinkle in Time should be at least number 9.
And who can forget the classic Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!.

PandoraSpocks

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Also thinking: We could have given up a Dahl on the list for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, no?
While on trees: The Giving Tree makes me cry every time.

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Anyone read Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles? I think it was by Julie Andrews, of all people. Maybe not top 20, but pretty damn good.

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @fiveinchtaint: Oh, WEEP. Dog books! WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS!!

Five O'Clock World

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Helman: I've heard good things about a movie version, but haven't seen it myself. I (we)should look into that!
Speaking of movie versions, Rats Of Nimh- so beatifully (and creepily) made. Nothing these days comes close.

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Dinah Rigby: Your name reminded me of one: Risby, by Beverly Cleary. Silly dog eventually finds his way home.

fiveinchtaint

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Dinah Rigby: In that case, Dylan Thomas got shafted, too.

@contradicto: Haha I think the exclusivity definitely added to it.

Also, Louis Sachar.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @MisterHippity: Yes! That book was fucking deep. What about Jacob Two-Two and the Hooded Fang? I always loved that book.

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Conbon: Don't be ashamed. By the way, what does the Paper Bag Princess call Ronald at the end of the book? I'm actually trying to remember...
@Helman: Bite your tongue! Or, I have a very hungry caterpillar who'll do the job.

PimpMyCouch

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

MisterHippity

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Fuzzy_duffel_bag: I'm with you. I've still got a copy of The Story of Ferdinand. He just wanted to smell the flowers, you bastards!

It is a very brit-centric list but looks like they only asked 4000 brits so I ain't putting much stock in it.

Sulky Girl

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @fiveinchtaint: The Gas We Pass

IndianSlipper

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Dinah Rigby: Five Children and It for sure. Edith Nesbit NEEDS a place on this list.

And everyone knows Prisoner of Azkaban was the best HP book.

Also, the list is all over the place in terms of genre, age of intended reader, and picture books v. novels. Please revise, Times Online. Thanks.

EleanorRigby

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Helman: Amen

blogylonian

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> A Wrinkle in Time is a major miss for the list, but Enid Blyton is tops. Famous Five, Secret Seven...I so wanted to run away and live on an island drinking tea made with tinned milk. At one point, I had a tree picked out in Regent's Park that (as a 7-year-old) I thought would make a lovely home.

GregorMendel

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> I guess its because all the children are smoking Chronic these days.

blogylonian

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @lemmeout: The Island of the Blue Dolphins was terrific!!

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where the Sidewalk Ends? Shouldn't that be on here?

IndianSlipper

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @procrastination_state: And acorn pancakes. I want those, even though they probably don't taste very good.

Also:
The Little Engine That Could
Everybody Poops

fiveinchtaint

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> The Da Vinci Code. Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The Bridges Of Madison County.

There's a whole separate genre of "childrens' books for adults." Or perhaps a better description is "books for adult children." Maybe that should be a separate list.

MisterHippity

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Shel Silverstein?

blogylonian

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Knucklehead Babylon: I loved that too! The Book of Three, being the first, right? ALso where's a Wrinkle in Time?? Watership Down? The Hobbit? From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? Harriet the Spy? What gives???

p.s. Eric Carle sucks.

Helman

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @the babemeister: also - what about shel silverstein books? I guess books of poems may not qualify....

What it is

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @StrawBerryShortCake: Um, indeed! I agree with all of the above listed omissions...Also, Indian in The Cupboard, Island Of Blue Dolphins, and who could forget Are You There God It's Me Margaret? C'mon.
Not to mention, The Funny Little Woman singlehandedly defined my color pallete, well maybe with a little
help from the Anatole series.

lemmeout

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> No Sendak?

Carol Gardens

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> comment

narnio

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> This poll sucks. Too many Roald Dahl books.

And how can the greatest Children's book of all time, A Wrinkle In Time, not even crack to Top 20?

And where's Charlotte's Web? Or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

MisterHippity

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @fiveinchtaint: Totally. I wanted a house in a hollow tree and a pet peregrine falcon so bad. I would totally do it, too, if it wasn't for that meddling Parks Department.

Also:
Danny The Champion of the World

The Outsiders

The Great Brain series

procrastination_state

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Conbon: OMG! Best Children's Book Ever. It totally rocked my world, and I felt special in 3rd grade because only the smart kids got to read it.

contradicto

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> No James and the Giant Peach? Fuck you, children!

contradicto

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @nikaoh: The Secret Garden is actually on there.
But where the hell is Ferdinand?

Fuzzy_duffel_bag

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> It's just a very Brit-centered list, is all. I'm sure if we made a list we'd miss, I don't know, some really awesome book that the Welsh are crazy about.

Five O'Clock World

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @PimpMyCouch: My brother and I still reference passages in conversation. We have very few friends.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Wait a minute: No Moomins? No David Macaulay? Who are the non-nerds who put this list together?

Dickdogfood

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @Conbon: Agreed on Munsch. I had so many of those books.

PimpMyCouch

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Dr. Suess can't finish higher than 15th? I hear a who gives a shit.

lefty

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Also Maniac Magee and The Great Gilly Hopkins. This list stinks.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> What about The First Wives Club?

homobot v3.0

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> My number one: Richard Scarry, oeuvre.

Points though for the Mr. Men books.

Dickdogfood

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> STUART LITTLE is the best children's book ever written.

Kakapo

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> charlotte's web.

larrydarrell

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> This list is incomplete without the book that truly shaped me as a young boy, Tropic of Cancer.

Mr. Kim Gordons Panties

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> what about the secret garden, how the grinch stole christmas, charlotte's web?

nikaoh

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Where the hell is The Westing Game?

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @LolCait: And Henry Sugar. Some day I'm gonna do what he did. Soon.

Robert Munsch is glaringly omitted.

Conbon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Yay Enid Blyton! As an American kid with British-raised parents, these books were staples in my house and unheard of by every single one of my friends (except my bff, whose parents were from Ireland.) It's why no one knew wtf I meant when I called a flashlight a torch or the car trunk the boot. Anyway, Famous Five are def. at the top of my list.

Enthusiasm...Curbed

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> No love for The Funny Little Woman?

eXXX

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Edith Nesbit! 'The Railway Children,' 'Five Children and It'?

Also, totally on board with the Lloyd Alexander crew.

Five O'Clock World

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!!!!

StrawBerryShortCake

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> i liked a wrinkle in time but I also like IO9 so...

hypocriteoath

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Does anyone remember My Side of the Mountain?

@StrawBerryShortCake: Yes!

fiveinchtaint

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> What about A Wrinkle in Time?

Lonesome_George

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Squeee! The Very Hungry Caterpillar! A classic. I love that book.

@the babemeister: I'm with you on the Judy Blume. I remember giggling over the sex scene in Forever in fifth grade.

PimpMyCouch

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Blackhearts over Battersea....required reading for any goth adolescent.

the babemeister

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @LolCait: hey! I mentioned James and the Giant Peach before even reading your entry! We are both right. Every kid loves that book.

the babemeister

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> They also forgot to include James and the Giant Peach!!!

the babemeister

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> There is no way The BFG is better than The Witches or James and the Giant Peach. And there is now way that HBP is the best Harry Potter book.

Also, what about The Phantom Toll Booth, Chris Van Allsburg books, and Fear of Flying?

LolCait

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> RECOUNT! What about "HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES"? AND THE JUDY BLUME BOOKS SHOULD BE ALL TOP TWENTY BOOKS!

Also my personal favorite "Born Rich". So many parallels to my own Childhood.

the babemeister

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Oh come on! "where the red fern grows" totally got dissed!

StrawBerryShortCake

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> @ADismalScience:

My mistake, you are clearly right about Redwall.

Knucklehead Babylon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Part of me still thinks I may be immortal.

Lysergic Asset

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> I really dug that whole "Black Cauldron" series, also "Good Dog, Carl."

Knucklehead Babylon

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> How could they omit OJ Simpson's 'if I DID IT'?

Hiphopopotamus

]]> <![CDATA[What are the Best Children's Books of All Time?]]> Clearly Redwall. I distinctly remember reading it in the second grade, and being called a nerdy shut-in because it's a few hundred pages. What a defining experience!

ADismalScience

]]>