Books About Childhood · 1,449 titles considered

The Best Childhood Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about childhood? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

To Kill a Mockingbird
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Childhood

Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1973

How to Eat Fried Worms

By Thomas Rockwell, Emily Arnold Mccully (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Billy Forrester series

A young boy is dared to eat 15 worms in 15 days for $50, leading to a series of humorous and tense events

144 pages· 15,178 words· Est. 2 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 49,014 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1960

To Kill a Mockingbird

A lawyer defends an innocent man in a town gripped by prejudice.

323 pages· 99,820 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,063,933 ratings
$20.00Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1954

The Wheel on the School

Can a group of children bring storks back to their village?

Newbery Medal (1955)
298 pages· 66,608 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 13,371 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10

Winnie-the-Pooh

By Ernest H. Shepard (Illustrator), A. A. Milne · Book #1 in the Winnie-the-Pooh series

A young boy and his stuffed animal friends have many adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood.

176 pages· 22,068 words· Est. 3 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 311,155 ratings
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1964

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

A poor boy finds a golden ticket to visit a mysterious and magical chocolate factory

164 pages· 31,115 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 947,100 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1876

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

A murder witnessed, a secret oath, and a perilous cave. Can Tom Sawyer escape danger?

336 pages· 70,131 words· Est. 10 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,038,817 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016

What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About?

By Judith Viorst, Lee White (Illustrator)

Explore childhood's emotional roller-coaster through witty poems.

112 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 184 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2013

The Year of Billy Miller

By Kevin Henkes · Book #1 in the Billy Miller series

A young boy navigates the challenges of second grade while dealing with family dynamics and his own self-doubt.

240 pages· 21,830 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 9,073 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

When Stars Are Scattered

By Victoria Jamieson (Author/Illustrator), Omar Mohamed, Iman Geddy (Illustrator)

A refugee boy faces a choice: education or staying with his brother.

264 pages· 27,175 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.6/5 Goodreads · 33,868 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Everything Sad Is Untrue

A refugee boy spins tales to claim his truth in a skeptical classroom.

356 pages· 85,022 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 45,689 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Childhood Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about childhood for the youngest readers and listeners.

Olivia

Ages 2–5 · 2000

A lively pig's day of adventures ends with a well-earned rest.

The Snowy Day

Ages 0–3 · 1962

A child's first snowy adventure captures the magic of winter's wonder.

Mog and Bunny

Ages 2–5 · 1988

A beloved cat's favorite toy vanishes. Can she find it before it's too late?

The Upside Down Boy

Ages 1–5 · 2006

A boy navigates a new school, feeling upside down in a world of unfamiliarity.

It's True!

Ages 2–5 · 2013

A young critter discovers the consequences of half-truths.

How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?

Ages 2–5 · 1997

A boy's quest for a dream dog leads to unexpected surprises and heartwarming discoveries.

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?

Ages 2–6 · 2003

A mother answers her child's questions about what princesses do.

Grandma Kisses

Ages 0–4 · 2015

Discover the magic of grandma's love through heartwarming tales and cherished moments.

Monster's New Undies

Ages 0–3 · 2017

A monster's quest for the perfect undies leads to unexpected challenges.

I See Spring

Ages 2–4 · 2011

Discover the wonders of spring through vibrant sights and sounds.

I Am Sharing

Ages 2–5 · 1992

A young critter learns the joys and challenges of sharing.

Gilberto and the Wind

Ages 2–5 · 1963

A boy discovers the playful and unpredictable moods of the wind.

View all childhood board books
Browse by age

Childhood Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about childhood for preschool and elementary-age readers.

More Spaghetti, I Say!

Ages 4–6 · 1977

A monkey's love for spaghetti leads to a tasty dilemma with a friend.

Summer

Ages 4–6 · 1963

Discover summer's joys with beach trips, watermelon, and fireworks.

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet

Ages 4–8 · 1965

A boy imagines animal features but learns self-acceptance.

The Horse in Harry's Room

Ages 4–6 · 1970

A boy's invisible horse sparks a heartwarming dilemma about freedom and friendship.

Little Witch Goes to School

Ages 5–8 · 1998

A young witch must be bad to attend school. Will she succeed or cause chaos?

My Parents Think I'm Sleeping

Ages 6–8 · 1985

A child's nighttime adventures begin when the lights go out.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Ages 4–7 · 1963

A young girl shares her experiences with her big red dog.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Ages 8–12 · 1903

A spirited girl transforms her strict aunts' lives in rural Maine.

Zelda and Ivy
Sale price
$599

Zelda and Ivy

Ages 5–8 · 1998

Fox sisters navigate sibling rivalry with humor and flair in three lively tales.

Ty's Travels: Beach Day!

Ages 4–7 · 2021

A young boy spends the day at the beach with his dad and meets a new friend.

Corduroy Writes a Letter
Sale price
$499

Corduroy Writes a Letter

Ages 4–6

A bear helps a friend discover the power of speaking up.

The Giant Jelly Bean Jar
Sale price
$1355

The Giant Jelly Bean Jar

Ages 6–8

Can Ben find his voice to win the jelly bean riddle challenge?

Browse by age

Childhood Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about childhood for developing and independent readers.

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

Ages 8–10 · 2020

A boy finds strength in his late father's journal, discovering poetry and hidden powers.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Ages 14–18 · 1969

A young girl faces abandonment and prejudice, seeking freedom through resilience and the power of words.

El Deafo
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1599

El Deafo

Ages 7–12 · 2014

A girl discovers her hearing aid grants her unexpected powers at a new school. Can she find friendship amidst her newfound abilities?

Becoming Muhammad Ali

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Discover how a stolen bike led a young Cassius Clay to become Muhammad Ali.

Hey, Kiddo

Ages 12–18 · 2018

A boy navigates life with an absent father and addicted mother.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Ages 8–11 · 1972

A young boy struggles to cope with the challenges of having a pesky little brother who gets into all sorts of trouble, while navigating the ups and downs of childhood and family life

Peter Pan and Wendy

Ages 8–12 · 1911

Children fly to Neverland, facing pirates and peril.

The Pain and the Great One

Ages 5–8 · 1974

A young boy and girl navigate their feelings towards their siblings and their roles within the family.

Locomotion

Ages 11–16 · 2003

An orphaned boy uses poetry to cope and reunite with his sister.

Dory Fantasmagory
Sale price
$799

Dory Fantasmagory

Ages 6–8 · 2014

A young girl named Dory navigates the challenges of childhood with the help of her imaginary friend and a magical fairy godmother.

Ellen Tebbits

Ages 7–12 · 1951

Ellen's secret bonds her to Austine, but a mistake threatens their friendship. Can she make amends?

The No 1 Car Spotter

Ages 7–10 · 2010

A young car spotter solves village problems with creativity and charm.

Keep exploring
Books about refugeesBooks about curiosityBooks about emotional intelligenceBooks about father-daughter relationshipsBooks about feelings and emotionsBooks about fitting inBooks about growing upBooks about human-animal relationships

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