Delightful Classic Literature Board Books

One of the most exciting things to happen in the book world recently (in my opinion) is the publication of board books based on classic literature.

Authors and illustrators are doing wonderful work adapting these stories for little ones to enjoy; using the characters, settings, or situations from the original story to explore the usual themes board books cover like counting, weather, and animals.

I love that I get to share some of my favorite stories with them, opening up the world of classic literature to them at an early age. Here are some of the books my little crawler and I can’t stop reading.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Carly Gledhill

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Alice’s journey down the rabbit hole is recaptured in an exciting new board book full of the colorful whimsy we’ve come to expect from Wonderland and its fantastical residents.

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Pinocchio

by DK, illustrated by Giuseppe Di Lernia

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Illustrator Giuseppe Di Lernia’s vibrant artwork brings everyone’s favorite puppet to life — pun intended! — in this simple yet imaginative retelling.

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The Nutcracker

by E. T. A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Carly Gledhill

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Also part of the new Penguin Bedtime Classics series, Carly Gledhill’s The Nutcracker puts a new spin on the beloved holiday tale, worth being appreciated year-round.

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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

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Beatrix Potter first brought Peter Rabbit to life in 1902, and no home library is complete without the sweet tales of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and — of course — Peter.

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Anne's Colors

inspired by Anne of Green Gables, illustrated by Kelly Hill

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Kelly Hill’s hand-embroidered illustrations are the perfect touch for this four-part collection of concept books inspired by Anne of Green Gables, including Anne’s Feelings, Anne’s Alphabet, and Anne’s Numbers.

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My First Winnie-the-Pooh

by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

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Short verses and gorgeous artwork introduce very young readers to the characters from the original story. Meet all of Pooh's friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.

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Walt Disney's Mary Poppins

by Annie North Bedford, illustrated by Al White

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Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt brought the magic of Mary Poppins to a new generation of fans, and the fun can continue with this sunny edition from the Little Golden Book series.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2021.