{"id":2760,"date":"2021-04-21T22:39:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T22:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/?p=2760"},"modified":"2021-11-06T19:26:02","modified_gmt":"2021-11-06T19:26:02","slug":"best-classic-books-for-kids-on-epic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/best-classic-books-for-kids-on-epic\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Best Classic Books for Kids on Epic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Check out our best classic books for kids on Epic! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great read is like an old friend. No matter how long it\u2019s been, when you meet again, the memories, the pictures, characters and stories all come rushing back. And what better way to relive the magic of the children’s books you loved growing up than to share them with your little ones? While it’s nice to have a few on hand, you don’t have to own them all. You can take story time online<\/a> with Epic<\/a>. Here’s a list of just a few of our best classic books for kids of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture Books<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong> <\/strong>Goodnight Moon<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Margaret Wise Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Clement Hurd<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4 & under<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A little bunny, tucked away and ready for sleep, says goodnight to all the familiar things in its softly lit room. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon,” and everything from the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its melodic word sequences and gentle imagery, “Goodnight Moon” has lulled generations of sleepy tots to sleep. This classic bestseller is the perfect first book and bedtime story for your young reader or pre-reader. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2.<\/strong> <\/strong>Hey Diddle Diddle, and More<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Cydney Weingart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4 & under<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cHey diddle diddle, the cat has a riddle!\u201d This great book is a cute way to introduce young readers to classic stories and nursery rhymes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 16-page read-aloud format does the narrating for you while keeping kids engaged with fun, colorful pictures. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3.<\/strong> The Tale of Peter Rabbit<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Beatrix Potter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>2-6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is among the most beloved classic stories. Your kid can follow the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he (despite his mother’s warnings) raids Mr. McGregor\u2019s garden for some yummy veggies. It’s great fun until he gets caught! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple illustrations and traditional language will transport your kid into another time as they read this timeless classic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4.<\/strong> <\/strong>Little Red Riding Hood<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Nadia Higgins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Kathleen Petelinsek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 3-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kids can follow a little girl (Little Red) as she strolls through the woods, encounters a “friendly” wolf and comes out on top after facing peril at Grandma\u2019s house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This gorgeously illustrated version of “Little Red Riding Hood,” written by Nadia Higgins, teaches kids about bravery, resilience, keeping your wits about you and the importance of listening to parents and caregivers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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5.<\/strong> <\/strong>Where the Wild Things Are<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Maurice Sendak<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While kids don\u2019t get treated to the dreamlike illustrations of this audiobook version of the classic tale from Maurice Sendak<\/a>, the narration is enough to inspire their imaginations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adult fans of “Where the Wild Things Are” will remember Max, whose imagination transports him far away to a magical forest filled with wild things after he threatens to eat his mother (eek!) and she sends him to bed without supper. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fortunately, the wild things don\u2019t eat Max, and instead make him their king. In the end Max realizes that king or not, he still needs the love of his parents. One of the best classic books for kids of all time, the story teaches kids about love, family and that it\u2019s okay to have strong feelings and still treat others with love and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.<\/strong> <\/strong>Frog and Toad are Friends<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Arnold Lobel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this Read-To-Me version, “Frog and Toad Are Friends” is a book of five short heartwarming stories about best friends frog and toad as they navigate their friendship’s ups and downs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first story begins with Frog explaining to Toad that winter has ended before the two hop outside to start their adventures. Young readers will enjoy the tender friendship between the two amphibians and quickly become immersed in the endearing stories, each of which stresses the importance of friendship and caring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“Frog and Toad Are Friends” is a great way to instill the values of friendship in your child. Bonus: because of the short story format, it\u2019s the perfect way to keep kids occupied on car rides both long and short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/strong> <\/strong>Little Women<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Retold by: Maggie Blossom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Katarzyna Bukiert  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>5-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This vibrantly illustrated picture book for older kids is a wonderful way to introduce kids too young for Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel “Little Women” to the heart-warming story of the March sisters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This abridged, \u201cten-minute classic\u201d version highlights main plot points and gives kids a basic understanding of this 150-year-old story. In addition to the beautiful imagery, the shorter length and updated language makes it easy-to-digest for elementary schoolers. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If your reader wants to give the original a try after reading this book, Epic<\/a> also has a lengthier abridgement<\/a> of “Little Women” as well as the original novel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Books & Graphic Novels <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

8.<\/strong> <\/strong>Classic Starts: The Secret Garden<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Frances Hodgson Burnett, Martha Hailey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>7-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What\u2019s more enchanting than a sprawling garden, complete with lush greenery and locked secrets? When orphan Mary Lennox is sent to gloomy Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, she feels scared and hopeless until she meets disabled, housebound Colin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first he seems like just a spoiled, unhappy boy afraid to leave his bedroom. But through the discovery of a mysterious, abandoned garden, together they come to embrace life and all of its joys.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A staple in the world of English kids’ lit, “The Secret Garden” has stayed the test of time for over a century, and this audio version is the perfect introduction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.<\/strong> <\/strong>Disney Classics: Peter Pan<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Didier Le Bornec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Mario Cortes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 7-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Faith, pixie dust and lively illustrations take this Disney version of the J.M Barrie classic story of Peter Pan to new heights. The high-flying eternal boy Peter Pan takes siblings Wendy, John and Michael to a spellbinding Neverland filled with mermaids, magic tricks and pirates ships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you loved this imaginative adventure as a child, your kid can enjoy it along with you in this updated, graphic novel format whether or not they’ve seen the Disney film on which it’s based. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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10.<\/strong> <\/strong>Ella Enchanted<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Gail Carson Levine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this modern classic take on Cinderella, Ella Enchanted is a young woman with a secret: when she was a young girl, a foolish but well-meaning fairy \u201cblessed\u201d her with the gift of obedience. When her mother couldn’t get her to stop crying, she cast a spell and ordered her, “stop crying.” That might’ve seemed like a good idea at the time, but from that point on there was no decree, no matter how ridiculous, that she couldn’t obey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feisty, strong-willed Ella refuses to accept her fate, and against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a zany quest to break the curse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11.<\/strong> <\/strong>Anne of Green Gables<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Adapted by: Mariah Marsden<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Brenna Thummler<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For those unfamiliar with this age-old classic, meet spunky Anne Shirley, an orphan girl mistakenly sent to live with a pair of middle-aged siblings–once orphans themselves–who had asked for a boy to help manage their farm, Green Gables. In what turns into a blessing in disguise, they decide to keep her, and the story follows her adjustment to her new life as she touches everyone she meets with her spirited nature, inquisitive mind and unbridled authenticity. Based on one of the best classic books for kids of all time, this graphic novel version is a great way to introduce kids to the novel version by L.M. Montgomery<\/a>.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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12.<\/strong> <\/strong>The Invention of Hugo Cabret<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Brian Selznick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Although written in 2007, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” has the feel and old-world charm of a classic book. An orphaned and mechanically-interested Hugo fights to survive, secretly living in the walls of a busy Paris train station all on his own. Life has always been tough, but when his fate meets that of a quirky, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs the station toy booth, Hugo’s secret life and all of his secrets are put in jeopardy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids who love adventure and intrigue, will love this tender, spellbinding mystery audiobook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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13.<\/strong> <\/strong>Heidi<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Johanna Spyri<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>9-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Heidi” tells the story of a young, orphaned girl who, at 5-years old, finds a home in the Swiss Alps with her Grandfather. Beginning in her small mountain town and eventually in the city, Heidi learns about life, loss and finding joy in hard situations. “Heidi” is one of the best-selling books of all time and has been enjoyed by millions throughout the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your reader will experience a realistic view on common human experiences\u2014explored through the eyes of a child. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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14.<\/strong> <\/strong>Calico Classics Illustrated: Grimm\u2019s Fairy Tales<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Brothers Grimm, Karen Kelly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: C.B. Canga<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>10-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the first to collect the fairy tales and folklore of Germany in one place, the Brothers Grimm brought life to life many of today\u2019s most iconic stories. This illustrated Calico Classics version of “Grimm\u2019s Fairy Tales” makes these age-old stories accessible for younger readers while staying true to the original plots. Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretal, Snow White and more are included in this collection for older elementary school readers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your kid enjoys this book, they might like another Calico Classics book on Epic: \u201cAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland<\/a>\u201d by Lewis Carroll. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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More Great Book Suggestions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These are some of our favorite classic books for kids on Epic, but if your kid’s looking for more, here are a few must-read children’s classics for all ages not (as of this writing) included on our platform. Almost all are free via Amazon Audible during the pandemic: <\/p>\n\n\n\n