The All-Time Best Books for Big Kids

Check out some of our favorite books for kindergartners and school-age kids.

from Parents Magazine

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Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers
Bread and Jam for Frances

By Russell Hoban

Struggling with a picky eater? Give this book a go to show your kids that branching out those taste buds can be a good thing!
- Purchase the book here
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Courtesy of Simon & Schuester, Inc.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

By William Steig

When your kindergartner's got a case of the gimmes, this book is a great reminder that we may already have all that we really need.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of the Penguin Group
Make Way for Ducklings

By Robert McCloskey

You just have to love this classic tale of a mother duck's unconditional love for her ducklings.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of the Penguin Group
The Little Engine That Could

By Watty Piper

This book's famous line -- "I think I can, I think I can" -- will inform your mommy pep talks for years and years to come.
- Purchase the book here
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Courtesy of Simon & Schuester, Inc.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

By Judith Viorst

You can't teach this lesson too early: There are days when just everything seems to go wrong -- but tomorrow is always another day!
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
Chocolatina

By Erik Kraft

We love how this "grass is always greener" tale sparks kids' limitless imaginations.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

By Kevin Henkes

A few weeks before your child's ready to start kindergarten, he'll love reading this tale about "Big Kid School."
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Co.
Fireman Small

By Wong Herbert Yee

What's better than a fireman saving the day? Firetruck-obsessed kids will definitely enjoy this inspiring read.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Simon & Schuester, Inc.
Stone Soup

By Marcia Brown

This great trickster tale will have your impish kindergartner laughing.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Hyperion Books
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

By Mo Willems

Kids will find relief in their advanced language abilities when they read about a young girl who loses her bunny -- but isn't yet able to articulate to her parents what's happened!
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Collins
The Indian in the Cupboard

By Lynne Reid Banks

With one turn of the key Omri's toys are brought to life. He quickly learns that taking care of another person is no easy task.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Aladdin
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

By Judi Barrett

Meatballs aren't the only things that fall from the clouds in this all-too-delicious story. Children see what would happen if rain were replaced with pancakes and other surprising foods.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of HCI
The Velveteen Rabbit

By Margery Williams

He's no wooden boy, but this stuffed rabbit yearns for the love of a child that he hopes will one day make him real.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Lee & Low Books
Elizabeti's Doll

By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Longing to care for a baby like her mother, Elizabeti has no doll, but instead finds a suitable rock. But when Elizabeti loses her new doll, Eva, she does all she can to find it.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Giggle, Giggle, Quack

By Doreen Cronin

When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, Duck is up to his usual antics. Changing the note from Farmer Brown so the animals get pizza on Tuesday is just the beginning.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Joanna Cotler
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem

By Jamie Lee Curtis

When two children can verbally say why they like themselves it's a great thing. From getting a bad gift to being wrong in class these children remain positive.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Simon & Schuster
Olivia

By Ian Falconer

Olivia may be a pig, but she certainly doesn't sit in mud all day. This active little lady is always on the go and promises nonstop fun in this beautifully illustrated book.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Laura Geringer
If You Take a Mouse to School

By Laura Numeroff

Another in the mouse series, but this time he's not after your cookies. However, when you get to school make sure your lunchbox is hidden.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Square Fish
Tikki Tikki Tembo

By Arlene Mosel

When Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo falls into a well, his younger brother, Chang, tries to get help but is always out of breath after trying to say his brother's name.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of HarperTrophy
Thank You, Amelia Bedelia

By Peggy Parish

She's everyone's favorite maid. Taking literal meaning from everything she is told causes Amelia Bedelia to string the beans and more mixups.
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Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books
Tea with Milk

By Allen Say

After moving to Japan from the United States, Masako struggles to learn the culture of another country.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of HarperCollins
The Giving Tree

By Shel Silverstein

This story of a selfless tree that gives to everyone -- not just the boy -- teaches that it's better to give than to receive.
- Purchase the book here
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Courtesy of Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Nate the Great

By Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Nate is back and on the case of a missing cat. With the help of his dog Sludge, the two are able to crack the case and find the missing feline.

Originally published in the March 2008 issue of Parents magazine.
- Purchase the book here
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!

Bread and Jam for Frances

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Make Way for Ducklings

The Little Engine That Could

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Chocolatina

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Fireman Small

Stone Soup

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

The Indian in the Cupboard

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

The Velveteen Rabbit

Elizabeti's Doll

Giggle, Giggle, Quack

I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem

Olivia

If You Take a Mouse to School

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Thank You, Amelia Bedelia

Tea with Milk

The Giving Tree

Nate the Great

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