Reading aloud is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. These books for girls are some of our favorites.

Over the years we’ve acquired thousands of books. I’m always sad when a child “outgrows” a book. However, I often find them peeking over my shoulder while I’m reading to a younger sibling. I truly believe you never outgrow your favorite read alouds.

Even now that my children are older, we can’t seem to part with these read aloud favorites. My girls asked to be read these books over and over until they could read them on their own.

They still sit on our shelf and I’m looking forward to passing them down when the time comes.

The best thing about this list of books for girls is that all of them are available at your local library. While I purchased almost all of them, I tried them out at the library first, to see if they were worth purchasing.

Once we checked the book out more than a few times, we usually bought a copy for the family library. A few of these books we have purchased twice. They were so popular the first copy didn’t survive being passed down over the years.

Best Books for Girls

A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert

Anna’s mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor.

A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno

Every child loves a new pair of shoes. Find out what happens when Mako cracks her new shoes while playing a game.

A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry

This simple text allows your child to use their imagination.

“Trees are beautiful. They fill up the sky. If you have a tree, you can climb up its trunk, roll in its leaves, or hang a swing from one of its limbs. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of a tree. Birds can make nests in the branches. A tree is good to have around. A tree is nice.”

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

Kids love Amelia Bedelia and her literal way of doing everything!

Baby Food by Saxton Freymann

My kids loved this book. Adorable baby animals carved out of fruits and vegetables fill the pages of this book. Your kids will be snuggled up with this book every time they have the opportunity.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! During their annual blueberry picking Sal wanders away from her mother to the other side of Blueberry Hill.  There she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  On the other side of the hill Sal’s mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite! Will each mother go home with the right little one?

Bread and Jam for Francis by Russell Hoban

Do you have a picky eater? If so, check out Bread and Jam for Francis. Francis will only eat bread and jam until her mom comes up with a clever solution.

But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton

If you haven’t introduced your toddlers to Sandra Boynton, stop what you are doing and check out her books today! My kids loved her funny, short books about silly animals. We wore out several copies of each of her books, they were such a delight.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 

What child doesn’t like a book about monkeys? This humorous book tells the story of a cap peddler who can’t seem to keep all his caps.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Wouldn’t it be awesome if pancakes dropped from the sky? What if falling food took over the entire town? This classic book is a favorite for kids and adults. Make sure to watch the movie after reading the book.

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Will Corduroy ever leave the department store shelf? Corduroy’s adventures have been a favorite of children for over 50 years.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

What happens when a duck tries to take over the farm? He eventually runs for President, of course. Kids will love this silly story of what happens when animals take over the government.

Frederick by Leo Lionni

“In Frederick, a mouse who is a poet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail demonstrates that a seemingly purposeless life is indeed far from that—and that we need not live by bread alone!” —Eric Carle

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown 

This classic bedtime tale tells the story of a bunny as he says goodnight to everything in the room.

How to Make Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

How do you make an apple pie when the market is closed? You travel the world!

Little Bear by Elsa Holmelund Minarik 

What would Little Bear do without his mother? She fixes him soup on cold days, dresses him for the snow, and never forgets his birthday.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”

This classic book is a must have for any home library.

Download your free Best Books for Girls Library Checklist 

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Follow along with the fearless Madeline on her Paris adventures.

Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

A delightful story of how Mrs. Mallard gets her seven little ducklings through the streets of Boston and to their new pond.

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Find out what happens when Mirette discovers the hidden talent of the mysterious stranger staying at the boardinghouse.

Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasha 

After the last customer is served at the seaside hotdog stand, Mark sails off with Gram for a promised surprise, and finds a nighttime sea full of shimmering moonjellies.

Once a Mouse… by Marcia Brown 

A hermit knows the magic to change a small mouse into a cat, a dog, and a majestic tiger. Read along with this beautifully illustrated book.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey 

Sal has another adventure planned, but she’s surprised to discover her tooth is loose!

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen 

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But does the owl respond?

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall 

Follow the journey of one man as he travels to town to sell all the goods his family has made throughout the year.

Rosie Revere, Engineer  by Andrea Beaty 

Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she’s a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. Find out what happens when her aunt comes to visit.

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

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

The Best Loved Doll by Rebecca Caudill

This was my very favorite book growing up. I still have the original worn copy! This is a story of a little girl named Betsy and her favorite doll Jennifer.

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader

Read how winter comes to the woodlands and the animals make their preparations in this beautifully illustrated book.

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own make their way to a nearby island. They soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways.

The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola

Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle. He becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the entire town.

The Giraffe that Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton

The true story of the first giraffe that ever lived in Europe. Her arrival in Paris was celebrated with a splendid royal parade, and everywhere she went she caused a sensation.

The Glorious Flight by Alice Provensen

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Louis Bleriot’s historic first cross-Channel flight.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

A little house in the country found itself squeezed into a big city block over the years. A fun story with a happy ending.

The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown

This book about little island in the midst of the wide ocean shares the story of the curious kitten who comes to visit. As the seasons pass, the island and the creatures who call it home witness an ever-changing array of sights, smells, and sounds – proving that, no matter how small, we are all an important part of the world.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

They even made a movie from this classic children’s book. This story follows Ferdinand the bull who only wants to sit in the field and eat flowers all day long.

The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills

The heartwarming story of Minna and her family and her rag coat. Lovingly made by her mother.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The story of Peter and his adventures throughout the city on a snowy day. This was one of my kids’ favorite books when they were growing up. We went through several copies!

The Story about Ping Marjorie Flack

You can’t pass on this classic tale of Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping’s misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless children’s book.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit longs to be “loved enough” by the boy to become real. Kids will enjoy this timeless classic.

They Were Strong and Good Robert Lawson

None of them were great or famous, but they were strong and good. They worked hard and had many children. They all helped to make the United States the great nation that it now is. Let us be proud of them and guard well the heritage they have left us.

These are just a few of our little girls’ favorite books at our house. Boys will enjoy them as well. What was your favorite childhood book?