The 100 best children’s books of all time, as chosen by our readers

Populating a child's first library can be a daunting task. Are they ready to read their first short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, to enter the magical world of J. R. R. Tolkein, or to fall in love with Dodie Smith? Or would they prefer to meet Jemima Puddle-Duck or escape to One Hundred Acre Woods? And don't get us started on choosing young adult books for teenagers.

It can be hard to know where to begin. That's why we reached out to you, our readers, to compile the following list of the best children's books – including popular titles, nostalgic classics, and modern masterpieces. For ease, we have categorised these recommendations by age group. So, if you have a specific child in mind, you can jump to the relevant section using our links below:

Books for under 5s
Books for 5- to 8-year-olds
Books for 9- to 11-year-olds
Young adult books for 12- to 18-year-olds

Books for under 5s

7. Elmer by David McKee (1968)

We said: A nursery favourite featuring a wonderful elephant of many colours. Elmer and all his differences have subtly taught generations of children that it's ok to be different. 

You said: It teaches us to be ourselves and embrace our quirks. 

thosedarkpages, Instagram

Books for 5- to 8-year-olds

31. Lulu and the Flying Babies by Posy Simmonds (1988)

We said: Who wouldn’t feel slightly put-out that their new, younger sibling is getting all the fuss? And that instead of playing in the park, Lulu has to walk around a museum because her little brother is cold. Boring! But then Lulu is whisked away by two cherubs on a magical adventure through the museum which turns out, isn’t so dull after all.

You said: Lulu and the Flying Babies mainly because Lulu was chubby and nosey, which gets her into trouble. It reminded me of myself!

Stacey Wing, Facebook

33. Further Doings of Milly-Molly-Mandy by Joyce Lankester Brisley (1932)

We said: Venture to the quaintest nooks of rural England with Millicent Margaret Amanda (or Milly-Molly-Mandy, for short), always on a fun escapade in that notorious pink-and-white striped dress.

You said: I loved M-M-M, the tales of the haberdashery shop and making a tea cosy from bits of the family’s old clothes and the booby prize of a little white rabbit. Simple and evocative of a bygone age.

NichollsTanya, Twitter

Books for 9- to 11-year-olds

Books for 12- to 18-year-olds

93. Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

We said: When a group of boys become stranded on an island, a line is drawn between order and chaos, relating to many of today's problems with unstable governments. Golding's popular novel has been adapted into two films, one in 1963 and 1990.

You said: It was published the same year I was born. I actually thought it was real, it wasn't, was it? It's pretty damn close now that I have aged a bit and am maybe a tad wiser. 

MCR_Author, Twitter

Some answers edited for clarity and style.