20 Best Historical Stories for Kids

Selecting the "best" children's stories from history can be quite subjective, as it depends on various factors such as cultural impact, popularity, and personal preference. However, I'll list ten widely celebrated children's stories and their authors, offering a bit of information about each.

1. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) - A fantasy story about a girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world. Lewis Carroll was an English writer, mathematician, and photographer, known for his playful use of language and logical puzzles.

2. "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter - This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit who disobeys his mother and ventures into Mr. McGregor's garden. Beatrix Potter was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist, best known for her children's books featuring animals.

3. "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak - A book about a young boy named Max who, after being sent to bed without his supper, sails away to an island inhabited by monstrous creatures, the Wild Things. Maurice Sendak was an American illustrator and writer of children's books, known for his imaginative and sophisticated illustrations and narratives.

4. "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White - A novel about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered. E.B. White was an American writer best known for his children's books, as well as being a co-author of "The Elements of Style," a guide to American English writing.

5. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle - A popular picture book that follows the journey of a hungry caterpillar eating its way through a variety of foods before pupating and emerging as a butterfly. Eric Carle was an American designer, illustrator, and writer of children's books known for his distinctive use of collaged, hand-painted papers.

6. "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery - A story about Anne Shirley, an imaginative, talkative, and fiery red-haired orphan who is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties, on Prince Edward Island. Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author best known for this series, which has been a classic of children's literature for over a century.

7. "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - A philosophical tale, with social criticism, about a young prince who visits various planets in space, including Earth, and addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist, and pioneering aviator.

8. "Harry Potter series" by J.K. Rowling - A series of seven fantasy novels that chronicle the life of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. J.K. Rowling is a British author, best known for this series, which has become the best-selling book series in history.

9. "Matilda" by Roald Dahl - The story of a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and telekinetic powers, her challenges with her cruel parents and school headmistress, and her relationship with a kind-hearted teacher. Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, famous for his children's books.

10. "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis - A series of seven high fantasy novels set in the magical land of Narnia, a place where animals talk, magic is common, and good battles evil. C.S. Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian, best known for his works on Christian apologetics and this children's series.

11. "Winnie-the-Pooh" by A.A. Milne - A collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh, a teddy bear, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. A.A. Milne was an English author, primarily known for his books about Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems.

12. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett - A novel about Mary Lennox, a sour-faced orphan who discovers a hidden, neglected garden and, alongside her sickly cousin Colin, learns to tend to it. Frances Hodgson Burnett was a British-American novelist and playwright, known for her children's stories and her ability to craft engaging characters and settings.

13. "Pippi Longstocking" by Astrid Lindgren - The story of an eccentric and superhumanly strong girl who lives in a house with her horse and monkey, having adventures with her neighbors, Tommy and Annika. Astrid Lindgren was a Swedish author, whose works have been translated into many languages, making her one of the most translated authors in the world.

14. "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams - A children's novel that tells the story of a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real through the love of his owner. Margery Williams was an English-American author, best known for this heartwarming tale about how toys—and people—become real through the love of others.

15. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) - A beloved children's book that uses a limited vocabulary to tell the story of Sam-I-Am’s attempt to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham. Dr. Seuss was an American children's author, political cartoonist, and animator, known for his rhyming texts and imaginative characters.

16. "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson - A delightful tale about a mouse who uses clever tricks to evade danger in the forest, inventing a monster called the Gruffalo—which he then encounters. Julia Donaldson is a British writer, playwright, and performer, best known for her popular children’s books.

17. "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown - A classic bedtime story that bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond. Margaret Wise Brown was an American author of children's books, known for her innovative approach to children's literature.

18. "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) - Another classic by Dr. Seuss, featuring a mischievous cat who turns a rainy afternoon into an unforgettable adventure for two children.

19. "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans - A series of books about a brave, red-haired girl named Madeline in Paris and her various adventures. Ludwig Bemelmans was an Austrian-American author, illustrator, and painter, known for his humorous and imaginative children’s books.

20. "Curious George" by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey - A series of popular children's books about a curious brown monkey brought from Africa to the big city by "The Man with the Yellow Hat." H.A. and Margret Rey were German-born American authors and illustrators who created this enduring character, appealing to children’s sense of adventure and curiosity.