Babies and toddlers

1. "The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld teaches both the kids and the adults reading to them that, while there are many different ways to approach a person dealing with an upsetting situation, the most important first step is to wait and sit with a person to let them show you what they need in that moment. It's a great lesson in emotional intelligence for anyone, but especially good to read with a kid who has experienced a hardship that they might not be able or ready to talk about (think divorce, moving houses, loss, trauma, etc.)."

2. "In Peck, Peck, Peck by Lucy Cousins, a little woodpecker is taught to peck by his father, and he goes on an adventure to practice his skills. It's funny and fun to read aloud. It has holes for the kids to play with, and there's a subtle heartwarming message about letting your children go off into the world, too."

3. "I believe every young child should be read Mother Goose's nursery rhymes, such as 'Hey Diddle Diddle,' 'Three Blind Mice,' or 'There Was A Crooked Man.' First of all, they are classic, but more than that, they really fuel and expand a young and growing imagination. It's fun and a little wondrous for them to imagine the rhyme as it's being read to them. It teaches them that it's perfectly all right to let loose and allow their imaginations to run free and flow. Also, when it is read in a poetic and sing-song style, it makes it more enjoyable to hear, helps their brains learn to retain what they hear, and encourages intellectual growth in a similar way that music does."

Preschool

4. "In The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Chester is scared to leave his mom on the first day of school, and Mama tells him the secret of how she will always be with him wherever he goes. When I taught preschool, I always read this book during the first week of school to my class. Separation anxiety is a big emotion while starting school, and getting a new teacher is a big transition for both children and parents. By reading this book with your child as early as 15 months, you are showing that you understand their big emotions, and by helping children recognize their feelings, you are modeling healthy responses while setting them up for success in school, relationships, and life."

5. "For pre-k/kindergarten age, I love Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes for its anti-bullying message."

6. "Press Here by Hervé Tullet is the closest you will get to magic in a book! It's interactive, making it a lot of fun for adults and grown-ups alike."

Elementary

7. "Front Desk by Kelly Yang. Even though I was an adult when I read it, I feel like every kid should read it. It touches on important issues, such as poverty, immigration, bullying, racism, and racial profiling, just to name a few. If you are a child reading this book, I hope it inspires or spurs you to take action or, at the very least, stand up for what is right, even if it's not the same move everyone else is making."

8. "A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. While both are about little girls who become orphans at a young age, the stories are very different and completely amazing. Afterward, you can watch the movies!

10. "The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak. My friends, siblings, and I thought it was the funniest book ever when we were little. It's hilarious to read out loud or read alone, and it doesn't need pictures to be a great book!"

11. "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. A lot of parents are hardcore about not letting their children feel ANY sense of discomfort or fear, which is so problematic IMO. Kids need to learn how to process these emotions and feelings in a safe way, and books are a good source. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark scares kids but also teaches them to deal with that fear."

12. "The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is an excellent tale that uses animal characters to tell the story of the unlikely friendship between a mole and a water rat. The mole stays with his new friend and gains self-confidence as they work together to supply and maintain their home and join other animals in a search for a lost baby animal in the woodlands. The original artwork beautifully illustrates the characters. I have loved this book since I was a child, and it is still a wonderful read even now!"

13. "Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is a book about a horse told from the perspective of the horse. I recommend it because it's easy and fun to read, children love animals, and it contains profound themes of human ethics.

Preschool and elementary

14. "And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell tells the true story of a gay penguin pair from Central Park Zoo who long for a baby penguin of their own. It introduces the idea of different family make-ups through these lovable animals. It's both interesting and heartwarming for kids and grown-ups alike."

15. "The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is such a lovely little book, and even hearing the story now as an adult makes me feel so secure and cozy!"

16. "In Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, Julián spots three mermaids while out with his grandma, and he longs to be like them. It's beautifully illustrated with a great, inclusive message and a big heart. Both my children (a girl and a boy) asked for it on repeat."

17. "I like Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. It shows kids that, sometimes, you just need to sit in your feelings for a little bit."

18. "The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino is about following your dreams. Reading it is showing my grandchildren that anything is possible, no matter how silly."

20. "A Piece of Cake by LeUyen Pham is an adorable and fun book that I loved growing up. It tells a super sweet story about a very sharing mouse. I really enjoyed it and thought it taught a nice lesson, and the illustrations are very cute too."

21. And finally: "I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. Reading together should be fun for kids and parents, and the dark humor in this one made it one of our favorites."

Which other children's books do you think every parent should read to their kids? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments or in the anonymous comments box below!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.