Parenting magazine Scholastic Parent & Child released its “100 Greatest Books for Kids” issue celebrating literary excellence. Earning the coveted top spot is the 1952 best-selling children’s novel Charlotte’s Web by acclaimed author E.B. White. Good Night Moon (Margaret Wise Brown), scores the number two spot, followed by A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle), The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats), Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (J.K. Rowling), Green Eggs & Ham (Dr.Seuss), The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank), The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein) and Frog & Toad Are Friends (Arnold Lobe).
To create “100 Greatest Books for Kids,” Scholastic Parent & Child enlisted a team of highly respected literacy experts. Reading, writing and book experts included Ruth Culham, Ed.D, Shawna Hamilton Doster, Phyllis Hunter, Tim Rasinski, Ph.D., and Laura Robb. Scholastic’s own experts, Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander and Editorial Director Adrienne Betz, also contributed to the list along with Parent Bloggers Melissa Cleaver, Amy Murphy, and Crissy Page. With nearly 500 books considered, the final titles were chosen based on the rankings of the expert review panel as well as each book’s overall quality, awards, contemporary popularity and longevity in the marketplace as evaluated by Scholastic Parent & Child editors.
“We are thrilled to offer such a comprehensive and interactive look at the children’s books that have resonated with readers, young and old, for generations,” said Nick Friedman, editor-in-chief, Scholastic Parent & Child. “Today, we not only celebrate the compilation of timeless titles, but also the critical importance for every child to experience the love of reading and the joy of owning his or her own book.”
