The National Education Association's Top 100 Children's Books

a list by Peter, the avid reader who runs Flashlight Worthy

In 2007, the National Education Association conducted an online survey of educators to determine the 100 very best children's books. The results, in ranked order, are below.

onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064410935'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064410935'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#1: Charlotte's Web illustrated by Garth Williams, Rosemary Wells, by E. B. White onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064410935'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 192 page paperback \|$8.99 \|420 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/1_Charlottes_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060263857'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 192 page hardcover \|$11.55 \|420 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064431789'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064431789'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Where the Wild Things Are illustrated by Maurice Sendak Amazon readers say: "Must-have classic." "My favorite children's book ever." "Great bedtime story!" "Another classic to pass along..." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064431789'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 48 page paperback \|$8.95 \|354 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060254920'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 48 page hardcover \|$12.21 \|354 reviews This book also appears on: Peter Steinberg's Favorite Children's Books Picture Books with Mischevious Protagonists The Best Picture Books about Not-So-Scary Monsters


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/3_The_Giving_Tree');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060256656'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/3_The_Giving_Tree');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060256656'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#3: The Giving Tree illustrated by Shel Silverstein onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/3_The_Giving_Tree');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/3_The_Giving_Tree');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060256656'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 64 page hardcover \|$11.55 \|600 reviews This book also appears on Picture Books We Love to Hate


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/4_Green_Eggs_and_Ham');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0394800168'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/4_Green_Eggs_and_Ham');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0394800168'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#4: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Amazon says: This timeless Dr. Seuss classic was first published in 1960, and has been delighting readers ever since. Sam-I-am is as persistent as a telemarketer, changing as many variables as possible in the hopes of convincing the nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham are a delicacy to be savored. Well, you probably know what happens, but even after reading Green Eggs and Ham the thousandth time, the climactic realization that green eggs and ham are "so good, so good, you see" is still a rush. As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss's wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations--and this time, they might even be so moved as to finally take a taste of their broccoli. onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/4_Green_Eggs_and_Ham');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/4_Green_Eggs_and_Ham');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0394800168'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 72 page library binding \|$8.99 \|221 reviews This book also appears on The Best Picture Books About Mealtime and/or Picky Eaters


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064430170'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064430170'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#5: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd There's classic children's literature, and then there's "Goodnight Moon". onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0064430170'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 32 page paperback \|$6.99 \|576 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/5_Goodnight_Moon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0060775858'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 32 page hardcover \|$12.23 \|576 reviews This book also appears on: Children's Books about the Night Madison and Ava's "Perfect" Before-Bed Reading List


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0920668372'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0920668372'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#6: Love You Forever illustrated by Sheila McGraw, by Robert Munsch onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0920668372'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 32 page paperback \|$4.95 \|773 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/6_Love_You_Forever');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0920668364'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 32 page hardcover \|$10.17 \|773 reviews This book also appears on Picture Books We Love to Hate


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0763616052'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0763616052'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#7: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0763616052'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 192 page paperback \|$5.99 \|742 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/7_Because_of_WinnDixie');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0763607762'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 192 page hardcover \|$10.87 \|742 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/8_Oh_the_Places_Youll_Go');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679805273'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/8_Oh_the_Places_Youll_Go');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679805273'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#8: Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/8_Oh_the_Places_Youll_Go');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/8_Oh_the_Places_Youll_Go');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679805273'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 48 page hardcover \|$12.23 \|269 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039525938X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039525938X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#9: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039525938X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 44 page paperback \|$7.99 \|59 reviews onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/9_The_Little_House');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0395181569'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 44 page hardcover \|$10.88 \|59 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/10_The_Polar_Express');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0395389496'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/10_The_Polar_Express');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0395389496'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">#10: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/10_The_Polar_Express');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_National_Education_Associations_Top_100_Childrens_Books/10_The_Polar_Express');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0395389496'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 32 page hardcover \|$12.29 \|233 reviews This book also appears on Winter Books for Children of All Ages

Ok, I call Uncle! Building a list of 100 books, both paperback and hardcover, is no easy feat. Read numbers 11 through 100 on the NEA website.

And if you know any books we should add to the list above, .