The most popular children’s books published in the 1960s introduced children to delightful new characters, historical events, and stories that would come to stand the test of time. From the illustrations to the radicalness of some of the subjects they tackled, many of the best books of the 1960s managed to invoke elements of the era while still introducing timeless themes.
Best Picture Books Published in the 1960s
Some of the best picture books of the 1960s will be familiar to adults, seniors, and young kids today. Many of these books have been bestsellers for decades and were written by popular children’s authors.
Corduroy
Author/Illustrator Don Freeman created one of the most iconic teddy bear characters in his 1968 book Corduroy. In the story an adorable stuffed bear loses a button from his outfit and ventures out into the department store to find it so he can be loved by a child. Readers Digest compiled a list of the Best Children’s Books Ever Written and included Corduroy as a top choice. Freeman wrote several more books featuring Corduroy and 50 years after its original publication, actress Viola Davis penned a new book for the character called Corduroy Takes a Bow.
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats follows Peter as he explores the world around him on a snowy day. While the story and illustrations delight children and won a Caldecott Medal in 1963, even more important is its status as one of the first children’s books to feature an African-American main character, changing the way children looked at books and at themselves. Time Magazine lists this story in their 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein has celebrated over 50 years as a best-selling book for children and adults. The book tells the story of a boy and his favorite tree as they both grow and change. Its message of giving and love mirrored the attitude of many during the 1960s, while its simple text and illustrations make it easy for kids to read and enjoy. Time Magazine, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly all list The Giving Tree in their top children’s book lists.
Best Chapter Books Published in the 1960s
The best chapter books of the 1960s introduce kids to a variety of genres, from Madeleine L’Engle’s science fiction to Irene Hunt’s historical fiction. They also include novels by authors who have become favorites of children and young adults, such as Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl and most have won a Newberry Medal or Honor.
To Be a Slave
To Be a Slave, by Julius Lester, may not have remained one of the most popular children’s books, but it still stands out because of its content. This book featured accounts of actual slaves combined with paintings and additional text to help children really gain an understanding of slavery. It won a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award and won the 1969 Newberry Honor.
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, helped make science fiction more accessible to children. This book follows the Murry family, particularly the daughter, Meg, as they search for Meg’s father who disappeared while working with tesseracts (wrinkles in time). It won the Newbery Medal in 1963 and is the first in The Time Quintet. In 2018 the book was turned into a major motion picture.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Beloved author Roald Dahl brought to life every child’s fantasy with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, published in 1964. Charlies’ family is impoverished, but that doesn’t stop him from winning the chance of a lifetime to tour the mysteries chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka in this story that the BBC lists this as one of the greatest children’s books. The book has been turned into two movies, one featuring famed actor Gene Wilder and the other featuring famed actor Johnny Depp.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary tells the story of Ralph, a mouse always looking for an adventure. This delightful tale was named an ALA Notable Book, has been listed as one of School Library Journal’s Top 100 Children’s Novels, and even inspired a short film. Cleary earned a Children’s Literature Legacy Award in 1975 for her contributions to writing for kids.
The Egypt Game
Published in 1967, The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder introduced a modern-mystery to kids. April Hall and Melanie Ross become friends over their shared love for imagination and ancient Egyptian history and form a club where they transfer an abandoned lot into an ancient Egyptian world. The book won a Newbery Honor Award in 1968.
The Outsiders
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton was published in 1967 and defined a generation of revolution and rebellion, introducing kids to two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs. Today, the book which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and numerous other awards, has helped boys get into reading and taught “outsiders” lessons about life. The book was turned into a film and a television series.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’Dell, tells an inspiring and empowering story of a girl who was stranded on an island off the coast of California and had to learn to survive. The book won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal in 1961, was named one of School Library Journal’s Books that Shaped the Century, and was turned into a major film.
The Jazz Man
The Jazz Man by Mary Hays Weik tells the story of nine-year-old Zeke, a boy living a difficult life in Harlem. Zeke finds comfort in the music played by the Jazz Man that drifts across the courtyard. The book won a Newbery Award in 1967 and has become a staple in many elementary and middle schools, particularly those serving low-income or diverse student populations.
Across Five Aprils
Published in 1964, Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt takes place during the Civil War. The Newbery Award-winning novel has been praised for its historical accuracy as it follows the Creighton family and their struggle to survive during the war. It was published during the era of the Vietnam War and many teachers made comparisons between the stories of those involved in both wars.
The Cricket in Times Square
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden was published in 1960 and named a Newbery Honor Book in 1961. Chester, a cricket from Connecticut, finds himself in New York City, where he must make friends and learn to navigate life in the big city.
Best Dr. Seuss Books Published in the 1960s
In 1980 author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, received the Children’s Literature Legacy Award given to an author or illustrator who has demonstrated a substantial contribution to children’s literature. There are many famous Dr. Seuss books, but these are his best from the 1960s and all can be found in the top 50 of Publisher’s Weekly’s All-Time Best-Selling Children’s Books list.
Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss has been quoted by kids for over 50 years and has also become Dr. Seuss’ best-selling picture book. Written on a bet, the book tells the story of Sam-I-Am as he attempts to convince an unnamed character to eat green eggs and ham, using less than 50 different words. It’s Dr. Seuss’s only book published in the 1960s to make the top 25 of School Library Journal’s Top 100 Picture Books poll.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Sitting at number 13 on the Publisher’s Weekly list, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish was a hit published in 1960 by Random House. Jay and Kay show readers all the wacky pets and animals they know in this rhyming beginner book that’s available in board book, hardcover, and even ebook formats today. Kids who love these fun fish can ride a One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish themed ride at Universal Studios Orlando Islands of Adventure theme park in the Seuss Landing section.
Hop on Pop: The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use
Hop on Pop is a collection of really short poems by Dr. Seuss published in 1963 and meant to help kids with basic phonics. Based on domestic sales, this zany beginner book lands at number 16 on the Publisher’s Weekly best-sellers list. Former First Lady, Laura Bush, listed Hop on Pop as one of her favorite lap-reading or bedtime reading books for young children.
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book
Published in 1963, Dr. Seuss’s ABC book is similar to Hop on Pop, except it introduces the alphabet instead of phonics. Two dogs serve as the main characters and introduce readers to a variety of creatures whose names start with each letter of the alphabet. This simple book ranks 18th on the Publisher’s Weekly list of kid’s best-sellers and you can purchase the board book version suitable for babies and toddlers. Young readers can also buy the interactive Dr. Seuss’s ABC app, which is a Parent’s Choice Golden Award Winner.
Classic Children’s Books From the 1960s
What makes children’s books great is their ability to transcend time to connect with children throughout multiple generations. The majority of these most popular children’s books from the 1960s continue to find a place in classrooms, libraries, and on children’s bookshelves today. Many have received updated covers and descriptions to appeal to a modern audience, but the characters, stories, and even images remain the same, still managing to reach children as well as they did in the 1960s.
