100 best children's books from the past 100 years: the full list

Flour Babies

Author: Anne Fine
Publisher: Penguin

As part of a Child Development project, each boy in Class 4C is given a 'flour baby', a sack of flour which must be looked after for three weeks, ensuring it does not get lost or dirty.

How I Live Now

Author: Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Penguin

Fifteen-year-old New Yorker Daisy is sent to England to spend a summer with her unconventional cousins

Looking for JJ

Author: Anne Cassidy
Publisher: Scholastic

When a 10-year-old girl kills her best friend, she is convicted of manslaughter and locked away. Seven years later she is released on licence with a new identity.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Author: Mark Haddon
Publisher: Red Fox

This funny, touching and compelling novel was the winner of the inaugural Booktrust Teenage Prize

I Capture the Castle

Author: Dodie Smith
Publisher: Penguin

17-year-old Cassandra lives an eccentric existence with her bohemian family in a crumbling castle in the English countryside, in this delightful classic coming-of-age story.

Private Peaceful

Author: Sir Michael Morpurgo
Publisher: HarperCollins

Set during World War I, Private Peaceful charts eight hours in the life of Tommo, a young soldier at the Front.

Journey to the River Sea

Author: Eva Ibbotson
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Orphan Maia is thrilled to learn she is to live with relatives in South America and cannot wait to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon.

Mortal Engines

Author: Philip Reeve
Publisher: Scholastic

London is on the move again: the traction city trawls the world on wheels, capturing and eating smaller towns.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Author: Judith Kerr
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea.

Where's Spot?

Author: Eric Hill
Publisher: Puffin

This adorable picture book about Spot the dog is the first in the Spot series

Mister Magnolia

Author: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Random House

Mr Magnolia has many things - but only one boot.

The Queen's Nose

Author: Dick KingSmith
Publisher: Puffin

Harmony's Uncle Ginger sends her on a treasure trail - which ends in finding a 50p piece.

Each Peach Pear Plum

Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Puffin

This classic book from author and illustrator team Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a real favourite with families

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle
Publisher: Puffin

Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar deserves its reputation as a much-loved classic.

The Elephant and the Bad Baby

Author: Elfrida Vipont Illustrator: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Puffin

One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.

Dogger

Author: Shirley Hughes
Publisher: Random House

When Dave loses his favourite toy, Dogger, he is desolate.

Millions

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

One night, a bag containing £229,370 falls from the sky and flattens the hermitage. Damian is convinced it is a gift from God.

Lost and Found

Author: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Once there was a sad, lonely penguin who appeared at the door of a young boy. The boy decided he must be lost, so he set off to find his home.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Author: Jon Scieszka Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Penguin

What really happened to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf? Find out the truth in this hilarious picture book.

The Sheep-Pig

Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mike Terry
Publisher: Penguin

When Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair, he is amazed that Fly, his sheep-dog, welcomes him as one of her own pups.

Matilda

Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Puffin

This modern fairy-tale with a brilliantly inspiring young heroine is one of Roald Dahl's best loved stories.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Author: John Boyne
Publisher: Random House

Bruno is exploring his new home at 'Out-With' when he meets Shmuel, who lives on the other side of a fence which surrounds a large camp in the grounds.

Once

Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Penguin

Morris Gleitzman brings heart and humour to the difficult subject of the Holocaust in this ground-breaking children's book.

The Story of Tracy Beaker

Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Random House

Tracy lives in a children's home but constantly hopes that her absent, glamorous Mum will come and take her away.

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Author: Emily Gravett
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Little Mouse is scared of most things, from creepy crawlies and loud noises, to getting lost.

Skellig

Author: David Almond
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books

Exploring a ramshackle garage with his new-found friend Mina, Michael discovers a strange, magical creature who needs his help. A contemporary classic.

Northern Lights

Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Scholastic

This extraordinary fantasy is the first book in Philip Pullman's multi-award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy

Coram Boy

Author: Jamila Gavin
Publisher: Egmont

Coram Boy is the story of Toby, saved from an African ship as a child, and Aaron, the illegitimate son of the heir to a great estate.

I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Hachette

Charlie tricks his younger sister, Lola - an extremely fussy eater - into eating all her least favourite foods.

Noughts and Crosses

Author: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Random House

Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin

Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl hatches an ingenious plot to steal all the gold in fairy land.

Room on the Broom

Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

From former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and longtime collaborator Axel Scheffler comes this much-loved tale about a witch and her gang of friends.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books

The first in a series, this enthralling sci-fi/fantasy novel grips readers throughout, presenting them with tough questions about identity, ethics and the nature of truth.

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown

Author: Cressida Cowell Illustrator: Neal Layton
Publisher: Hachette

Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, love to go on adventures together.

The Snowman

Author: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Puffin

James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.

Clarice Bean, That's Me

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard Books

Clarice Bean gives us a snapshot of her life and family in the book that launched a bestselling series.

The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Bloomsbury

After his family are killed, Bod is brought up in a graveyard by ghosts.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books

This charming first book is perfect for new arrivals.

Amazing Grace

Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Caroline Binch
Publisher: Frances Lincoln

This classic story clearly communicates an inspiring message that anything is possible

The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Colins
Publisher: Scholastic

Welcome to Panem: its Capitol repressively rules twelve satellite Districts, enslaving the populations as workers and controlling them through hunger.

Revolver

Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Publisher: Orion Children's Books

'They say dead men tell no tales, but they're wrong. Even the dead tell stories.'

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Author: Jeff Kinney
Publisher: Puffin

Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, albeit one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble.

The BFG

Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Puffin

The BFG stands for Big Friendly Giant, who unexpectedly spirits a little girl named Sophie out of bed, and into the land of the child-eating giants.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

Author: Louise Rennison
Publisher: HarperCollins

Welcome to the world of Georgia Nicolson - an angst-ridden teenage girl who keeps a diary to record the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences she faces every day

Dear Zoo

Author: Rod Campbell
Publisher: Campbell Books

This appealing story, in lift-the-flap, board-book format has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published in 1982.

Gorilla

Author: Anthony Browne
Publisher: Walker Books

Hannah's favourite animals in the whole world are gorillas, but her dad is always too busy to take her to the zoo.

The Kite Rider

Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Haoyou feels powerless when the man responsible for his father's death demands to marry his mother. Determined to support her himself, the young boy joins a travelling circus.

Stormbreaker

Author: Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Walker Books

Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider finds his life turned upside down on discovering that his late uncle wasn't a mild-mannered banker, but instead a field agent for MI6.

A Bear Called Paddington

Author: Michael Bond Illustrator: Peggy Fortnum
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Paddington, the brown bear from darkest Peru, is found by the Brown family on Paddington Station with his hat, duffel coat and marmalade sandwiches.

Asterix the Gaul

Author: Renné Goscinny Illustrator: Albert Uderzo Translator: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Publisher: Orion

In a tiny corner of Brittany, one small village of indomitable Gauls hold out against the almighty, all-conquering Romans.

Carrie's War

Author: Nina Bawden
Publisher: Puffin

Inspired by Nina Bawden's own experiences of living as an evacuee in a Welsh mining valley as a child, Carrie's War is now considered a modern classic. Funny, sad and thought-provoking.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Author: J K Rowling
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books

After the misery of life with his ghastly aunt and uncle, Harry Potter is delighted to have the chance to embark on an exciting new life at the Hogwart's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

Goodnight Mister Tom

Author: Michelle Magorian
Publisher: Puffin

Willie Beech, a lonely and deprived child, is evacuated to a tiny English village just before the Second World War, and finds himself living with reclusive widower Thomas Oakley.

Junk

Author: Melvin Burgess
Publisher: Andersen Press

Tar loves Gemma, but Gemma doesn't want to be tied down to anyone or anything. Gemma wants to fly - but she can't fly forever...

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books

Follow a father and his family as they go out in search of a bear.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy

Author: Lynley Dodd
Publisher: Puffin

This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town

Not now, Bernard

Author: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen

The classic tale of Bernard, whose distracted parents fail to notice that their son has been eaten and replaced by a monster.

Life: An Exploded Diagram

Author: Mal Peet
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

In this intelligent young adult novel, Clem's coming-of-age story of first love and burgeoning sexuality is woven around a tense account of the mounting Cuban Missile Crisis

Finn Family Moomintroll

Author: Tove Jansson Translator: Elizabeth Portch
Publisher: Puffin Books

Moomintroll is cheerful and chubby and lives in the magical Moominvalley with his mother, Moominmamma, his father, Moominpappa and all of their friends.

Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: Red Fox

First published in 1963, this classic picture book will fascinate both children and adults, evoking the fierce intensity of childhood

The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters

Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Penguin

Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again

Pippi Longstocking

Author: Astrid Lindgren Translator: Tiina Nunnally Illustrator: Lauren Child
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Follow Pippi Longstocking on her amazing adventures as she moves into Villa Villekulla with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase of gold coins.

I Want My Hat Back

Author: Jon Klassen
Publisher: Walker Books

A bear sets out in search of his hat - he loves his hat and he wants it back

Horrid Henry

Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Orion Children's Books

Stories about naughty characters have been told for centuries, and Horrid Henry is a modern-day rogue in the tradition of Dennis the Menace and Just William.

The Borrowers

Author: Mary Norton
Publisher: Puffin

The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantlepiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock.

Maggot Moon

Author: Sally Gardner
Publisher: Hot Key Books

Combining conspiracy theory and dystopia, this hugely original novel is set in an alternate 1950s in which Britain is dominated by the ruthlessly oppressive forces of The Motherland.

The Hobbit

Author: JRR Tolkein
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's

This well-loved fantasy story has delighed readers ever since its first publication in 1937.

Stig of the Dump

Author: Clive King
Publisher: Puffin

Exploring an old chalk pit, Barney meets a strange boy who wears a rabbit skin and speaks in grunts.

The Cat in the Hat

Author: Dr Seuss
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

When Sally and her brother are left alone on a rainy day, they think they are in for a dull time - but then the Cat in the Hat appears.

Meg and Mog

Author: Helen Nicholl Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski
Publisher: Puffin

In this the first story about much-loved characters Meg the witch and Mog her cat, the pair go off to a wild Hallowe'en party with all the other witches

Would You Rather…

Author: John Burningham
Publisher: Red Fox

A classic for children, Would You Rather... presents an alternative to a traditional story by imagining a mixture of fantastical and real-life choices. It's great for building confidence with little ones about making their own choices for their own reasons.

Princess Smartypants

Author: Babette Cole
Publisher: Penguin

Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the princes want her to become their wife.

I Want My Potty!

Author: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press

The Little Princess hates nappies, and thinks there must be something better. This is classic picture book entertainment, which will be especially appreciated by any children who are learning to love their potty!

Winnie-the-Pooh

Author: A A Milne Illustrator: E H Shepherd
Publisher: Egmont Books

No child's library could be complete without A A Milne's stories about Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

The Story of Babar

Author: Jean De Brunhoff Translator: Merle S. Haas
Publisher: Egmont

' In the great forest, a litle elephant was born. His name was Babar...'

Little House in the Big Woods

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Publisher: Egmont

Inside the little house live the Ingalls family: Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura and baby Carrie.

The Enchanted Wood

Author: Enid Blyton
Publisher: Egmont

When Joe, Beth and Frannie move into a new home, they discover a mysterious wood on their very doorstep.

My Naughty Little Sister

Author: Dorothy Edwards Illustrator: Shirley Hughes
Publisher: Egmont

This affectionate portrait of family life is the story of a naughty three-year-old sister who is obstinate, inquisitive and full of mischief.

Charlotte's Web

Author: E B White Illustrator: Garth Williams
Publisher: Puffin

This is the tale of how a little girl named Fern - with the help of a friendly talking spider called Charlotte - saved her pig, Wilbur, from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs.

Flat Stanley

Author: Jeff Brown Illustrator: Scott Nash
Publisher: Egmont

Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning to find he is only half an inch thick

The Worst Witch

Author: Jill Murphy
Publisher: Puffin

Long before Harry Potter first went to Hogwarts, trainee witch Mildred Hubble embarked on life at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches...

The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook

Author: Joyce Lankester Brisley
Publisher: Macmillan

Milly-Molly-Mandy lives with her mother, father, uncle, aunt, grandmother and grandfather in a 'nice white cottage with a thatched roof'.

The Adventures of Tintin

Author: Hergé Translator: Michael Turner and Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper
Publisher: Egmont

Resourceful junior reporter Tintin embarks on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy, in this favourite series.

Swallows and Amazons

Author: Arthur Ransome
Publisher: Red Fox

It's the summer holidays, and the Walker children are excited to set sail on their boat Swallow and camp on Wild Cat Island.

Ballet Shoes

Author: Noel Streatfeild
Publisher: Penguin

First published in the 1930s, this classic story of three very different girls who work hard to master their talents has captivated children's imaginations for decades

The Little Prince

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery Translator: Katherine Woods
Publisher: Egmont

An air pilot makes a forced landing deep in the Sahara Desert. There, he makes a mysterious Little Prince, who tells him a series of wise and enchanting stories.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Author: C S Lewis
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's

When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - step through a wardrobe door in the strange country house where they are staying, they find themselves in the land of Narnia.

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

Author: Joan Aiken
Publisher: Vintage

There are wolves outside the walls of Willoughby Chase, but for cousins Bonnie and Sylvia, the real danger lies inside.

The Witches

Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Puffin

Real witches disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise.

Truckers

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Random House

The first title in the Bromeliad trilogy, this is an enchanting fantasy from favourite author Terry Pratchett.

Holes

Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Stanley Yelnats' family has a history of bad luck, so he is not entirely surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to the Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre

The Fellowship of The Ring

Author: JRR Tolkein
Publisher: HarperCollins

The first part of J R R Tolkien's epic masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, this is the story of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who finds himself faced with an immense and terrible duty.

The Owl Service

Author: Alan Garner
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

When Alison finds a curious dinner service in the attic, the discovery sets off a strange chain of events that look set to affect everyone's lives. This extraordinary and powerful story is a modern classic, blending together mystery, adventure and history.