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

a list by Peter, the avid reader who runs Flashlight Worthy
filed under Best of... and Children's Books

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

 
 
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

 
 
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

 
 
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, .

 
 

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