101 Great Books for Kids
Celebrating the Best in Children’s Literature
The "101 Great Books for Kids" is an annual curated list that celebrates the best in children's literature. This carefully selected collection features a diverse range of picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction titles, showcasing exceptional storytelling, captivating illustrations, and meaningful themes.
Designed to inspire young readers of all ages, the list reflects the library's commitment to literacy, education, and fostering a love of reading in the community.
Whether you're looking for a new bedtime story or a book to spark curiosity and imagination, "101 Great Books for Kids" has something for everyone.
Picture Books
101 Great Books for Kids - 2025 Picture Books
This list features the winners of the Picture Books category of the 101 Great Books for Kids list for 2025.
101 Great Books for Kids - 2025 Nonfiction Picture Books
Explore the Nonfiction Picture Book picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Older Readers
Older Readers
101 Great Books for Kids: 2025 Novels
Explore the Novel picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Older Readers
101 Great Books for Kids - 2025 Nonfiction for Older Kids
Explore the Nonfiction for Older Kids picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Folk and Other Tales
101 Great Books for Kids: 2025 Fairy Tales, Folktales, Etc.
This list includes the best Fairy Tales, Folktales & Religious Tales of 2025 in the 101 Great Books for Kids selections.
Early Chapter Books
101 Great Books for Kids: 2025 Easy and Early Chapter Books
Explore the Easy and Early Chapter Book picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Poetry
101 Great Books for Kids: 2025 Poetry
Explore the Poetry Book picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Graphics
101 Great Books for Kids - 2025 Graphic Novels & Comics
Explore the Graphic Novels & Comics picks from the 2025 edition of 101 Great Books for Kids.
Previous Years
2024 Collections
101 Great Books for Kids: 2024 Picture Books
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids features everything from bad apologies and giant robots to dance, cowboys, and noodles!
101 Great Books for Kids: 2024 Easy and Early Chapter Books
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids include books for new readers. Read tales of friendship, camping, mystery, and more!
101 Great Books for Kids: 2024 Nonfiction Picture Books
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids feature young nonfiction on science, sports, history, people's lives and more!
101 Great Books for Kids: 2024 Novels
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids list features novels rich with adventure, love, death, heartbreak, ghosts and more!
2023 Collections
101 Great Books for Kids: 2023 Nonfiction for Older Children
On the 2023 101 older nonfiction list we've food, harrowing adventures, tiny parasites, and animals that inexplicably glow.
101 Great Books for Kids: 2023 Graphic Novels & Comics
For those kids that love comics-- the 2023 Graphics 101 list. Reality and fantasy. Memoirs and friendship. Horror! Gnomes with funny hats!
101 Great Books for Kids: 2023 Fairy, Folk & Religious Tales
Read of heroic mice to sneaky opossums to terrifying golden eagles, included on our 2023 Fairy, Folk & Religious Tales 101 list.
101 Great Books for Kids: 2023 Poetry
From verse novels to funny collections to serious deep dives into family history, it's all here the 2023 Poetry 101 list has you covered!