1920s 

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams 

By the time the velveteen rabbit is dirty, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of ever finding the magic called Real.

1930s 

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans 

In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.

1940s 

Curious George by H.A. Rey 

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

1950s 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson 

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

1960s 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 

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

1970s 

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

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

1980s 

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff 

Relating to the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young boy's day.

1990s 

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes 

Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.

2000s 

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems 

A pigeon that longs to drive a bus sees a chance to make its dream come true when the bus driver takes a short break.

2010s 

Press Here by Herve Tullet 

Using no special effects other than the reader's imagination, a series of dots multiplies, grows, or changes color by pressing, tilting, or blowing on the previous page.