Picture books, poetry, folk tales and more—experts tell you their top picks.

We have compiled a list of high-quality, best-loved books, old and new, for children in kindergarten to third grade. Although they were gathered in celebration of reading and the millennium, these books are timeless treasures. Some are very familiar and will evoke memories as you scan the list. Others are more current titles, and though they may not be as recognizable now, are destined to be the classics of future generations.

The list includes books covering a variety of genres, topics, themes, and publishers. The editorial staff at Scholastic, in conjunction with teachers and librarians, handpicked the list using a broad selection of resources, including lists of award-winning titles. We considered the following criteria:

 a rich representation of cultures, race, gender, and perspectives
 a mix of authors, genres, topics, and themes
 a sampling of works written during and reflecting multiple time periods
 an array of unforgettable characters that inspire or touch the reader
 language, tone, and story line with the ability to capture a child's attention
 a balance of books from which children can learn and purely enjoy

We think that you will agree that these books:

 can be read alone or shared
 bring a smile, laugh, cry, or cheer
 make growing up easier to do
 explain in a non-explaining way
 inspire children to question "why?" and "how?"
 bridge the generationsr
 connect different worlds
 invoke a sense of timelessness
 use evocative illustrations to communicate a story or ideas
 help students practice the skills that will make them successful readers

The link below will take you to our site for teachers, but will open in a new window. To return to this page, simply close the window.