AAPLD'S Timeless Reads for Grades 1-3

The Algonquin Area Public Library provides a list of Timeless Reads for Grades 1-3.

The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter JE/PAR

A collection of the four stories relating all the adventures of a Peter Rabbit and his mischievous cousin, Benjamin Bunny.

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag JE/GAG

A lonely old man and his wife want a cat to keep them company, but how to select one cat from a choice of hundreds, thousands, millions and billions and trillions?

The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant by Jean De Brunhoff JE/BRU

An orphaned baby elephant goes to live in the city with an old lady who gives him everything he wants, but eventually returns to the forest where he is crowned king of the elephants.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf JE/LEA

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans JE CALDECOTT/BEM

Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton JE/BUR

When Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann, lose their jobs to the gasoline, electric, and diesel motor shovels, they go to a little country town where they find that one new job leads to another.

Curious George by H.A. Rey JE/REY

The curiosity of a newly-captured monkey gets him into continual trouble.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey JE/MCL

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Garden with their eight offspring.

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss JE/KRA

Everyone tells a small boy that the carrot seed he has planted will never grow, but his patience is rewarded.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina JE/SLO

A band of mischievous monkeys steals every one of a peddler’s caps while he takes a nap under a tree.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown JE/BRO

Before going to sleep, a little rabbit says goodnight to his bedroom, and all of his familiar possessions.

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown JE CALDECOTT/BRO

When three hungry soldiers come to town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and the entire town enjoys a feast.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson JE/JOH

A small boy uses his crayon to draw a moon and stars off on a moonlight walk, creating his own adventures along the way. 

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss JE/SEU

Two children sitting at home on a rainy day are visited by the cat that shows them some tricks and games.

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik ER/MIN

Little Bear’s four adventures include taking a trip to the moon and having a birthday party.

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff ER/HOF

A little boy is surprised and pleased when one of the dinosaurs from the museum agrees to play with him.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats JE CALDECOTT/KEA

The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish JE/PAR

A literal-minded housekeeper causes a ruckus in the household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak JF CALDECOTT/SEN

Max, sent to bed without supper, sails to the land of the wild things, where he becomes their king.

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban JE/HOB

“Jam on toast,” sings Frances, about the food she likes the most—until she has it for the sixth meal in two days.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin JE/Mar

Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them.

Corduroy by Don Freeman JE/FRE

A toy bear in a department store wants a number of things, but when a little girl finally buys him he finds what he has always wanted most of all.

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel JE 298.2/MOS

When the eldest son fell I the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle JE/CAR

Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep and wakes up a butterfly.

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel ER/LOB

Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends, Frog and Toad.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst JE/VIO

Recounts the events of a day when everything goes wrong for Alexander.

Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola JE CALDECOTT/DE

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

Freight Train by Donald Crews JE CALDECOTT/CRE

Brief text and illustrations trace the journey of a colorful train as it goes through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles.

The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble JE/NOB

Jimmy’s boa constrictor wreaks havoc on the class trip to a farm.

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams JE CALDECOTT/WIL

A child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save dimes to buy a comfortable armchair after all their furniture is lost in a fire. 

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg JE HOLIDAY/VAN

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Henry and Mudge: the First Book of Their Adventures by Cynthia Rylant ER/RYL

Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge. 

Chick Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin JE/MAR

An alphabet rhyme/chant that relates what happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree.