Happy National Read A Book Day! Celebrate it with a quality piece of literature! Where to begin? Of course the list could go on forever, but here are 30 irreplaceable children's books (in no particular order) for the young at heart of any age. From award winning picture and chapter book to beloved classics and graphic novels (with a few surprises along the way), there is something for everyone on this list. What better way to refresh a weary perspective, than to escape into a world of innocence and wonder!

30. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Long before The Giver presented young readers with a society built on control and conformity or Harry Potter escaped his muggle-bound, unjust existence using newly discovered magical talents, an awkward young teen named Meg set off on a spectacular quest through space and time via a "tesseract" in an attempt to find her missing father. Along the way, she meets many interesting and entertaining characters, battles a terrifying being who forces an entire planet to conform to it's rhythmic pulses, and learns to embrace her uniqueness and view it as a strength, rather than the weakness it seemed to be at her high school. In other words, a fantastical, well written adventure that stands the test of time.

29. George & Martha by James Marshall

If you went to elementary school in the United States, or taught elementary school in the US, I'm sure you know the teacher favorite, Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall. But, do you know George and Martha? This collection of stories was adapted very cleverly into an animated series on the HBO Family Channel in 1999, starring the talented voices of Nathan Lane and Andrea Martin. Adored by children and adults alike, these stories follow the adventures of two friends and introduce children to the ups and downs and compromises of friendship through hilarious incidents.

28. Maus by Art Spiegelman

A Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel, Maus isn't exactly a children's book, but I obtained it through a Scholastic book order as a fifth grader, immediately falling in love with it's touching story of a holocaust survivor and his relationship with his son. It offers a serious and heartfelt trip through the personal history of the author's father's (a Polish Jew) experiences in World War II and its aftermath. The story is told through anthropomorphic animals (mice, cats, and pigs) and unforgettable minimalist images.

27. Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, also known for his work Star Girl, is an exceptional author, crafting beautiful pieces of literature.Focusing on the childhood of young Donald Zinkoff, Loser tells the timeless tale of growing older. Along his journey, Zinkoff meets many a character while proving himself to be quite a character. In essence, Zinkoff encompasses what it truly means to be an individual.

26. Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen is a children's author who focuses the majority of his work around environmental issues. Flush for example concerns a pair of siblings and their struggle to take down the casino boat that is polluting the water in the nearby beach. Similar to Hiaasen's better known work Hoot, the protagonists face the daunting task of going against all odds to make the world a better, greener (or in this case bluer) place. A real nail biter, this novel is a great read especially in the midst of the current world-wide water issues.

25. The Tin Forest by Helen Ward

The Tin Forest is a touching, inspirational, and visually stunning story of an old man who lives in a wasteland of other people's trash, but dreams of a flourishing forest just outside his door. This beautiful picture book embodies a hopeful theme while insinuating a respectful attitude towards nature, a perseverance that is essential to revisit in today's modern, wasteful society.

24. Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter

This complete collection of all 23 of Beatrix Potter's beloved stories features all of her original artwork. Although you may know the stories of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, have you read The Story of Miss Moppet or The Fox and The Stork? Fun fact, a complete original text by Potter, entitled The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots, was discovered by her publisher and is set for release today! With only one watercolor of its main character existing, Quentin Blake (another author on this list) was asked to illustrate this exciting new tale which is rumored to revisit many of her old, favorite characters!

23. The Voyage of the Frog by Gary Paulsen

Famous for the Brian Saga, Gary Paulsen is undoubtedly a brilliant author. However I would venture to claim that his most touching work is The Voyage of the Frog. While a bit more of a young adult than a children's read, I'm adding it to this list because (with help) I was able to enjoy the novel as a fifth grader. The story follows the protagonist, 14 year old David's journey as he sets out in his uncle Owen's boat to distribute Owen's ashes as per his uncle's dying wish. While David is familiar with seafaring, problems arise as he faces a terrible storm.

22. What the Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire

While most readers will recognize Gregory Maguire as the pen behind the extremely successful story of Wicked, he also wrote this little gem of a tale about "skibbereen", or tooth fairies. As a hurricane roars around a family of children whose parents had to leave for an emergency, they find solace in the story of a young tooth fairy. Touching upon important social issues including animal abuse, this book is a wild journey exploring hope, and the need to believe when in the midst of an often harsh, pessimistic, "adult"-led world.

21. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

What can I say? The Wind in the Willows is a classic , lighthearted collection of stories surrounding the misadventures of infamous Mr. Toad and his friends. For a wild ride pick up a copy and join these unforgettable characters in their odd endeavors.

20. Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola

This lesser known story by Tomie dePaola is full of heart and rather underappreciated. Oliver's preference of the arts, dress up, and dancing over typical "masculine" activities (sports), makes him a target for ridicule at his school and even from his own father. However, when he embraces his passion and tap dances in the town talent show, the bullies change their tune. It's definitely a great read aloud for children in a society that still persists in marketing products by separating them into categories via traditional/stereotypical gender roles.

19. The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

The Witches of Worm follows a pre-teen girl as she rescues an abandoned kitten. While dealing with an extremely difficult home life, Jessica begins to believe that Worm, the kitten, influences her to behave in evil manners and eventually thinks that the cat is possessed. While it sounds like one hell of a messed up story about witch craft, it is rather a book about a young girl learning how to accept and embrace compassion, companionship and love.

18. Knee-Knock Rise by Natalie Babbitt

Again, a lesser known book from a well-known author, Knee-Knock Rise is an enchanting story steeped in myth and folklore. It tells the story of a boy who is intrigued by the local legend of a moaning beast atop the rise. As he seeks to find the answers to multiple mysteries with the help of a charming dog and cat, the boy is stuck trying to decide if the magic of believing in the unknown is ultimately more important than seeking out the truth in some situations. Read it and decide for yourself.

17. Hans Christian Andersen: Classic Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

This collection includes one hundred of Andersen's most cherished fairy tales. If you are among the poor unfortunate souls that grew up on Disney versions of fairy tales (alone) like "The Little Mermaid" and "The Snow Queen", you must read the original stories to gain a true appreciation for the tales as they were meant to be told. The original stories skillfully intertwine beauty and darkness while eliciting a breadth of emotions often evoked only by storytelling at its very finest.

16. The Story of the Dancing Frog by Quentin Blake

While mourning for her husband who is lost at sea, a woman encounters a dancing frog in a pond. Thus begins this touching, timeless tale of a widower, her dancing amphibious companion, and their adventures as they travel to accommodate his life as a stage performer. Written and illustrated by Quentin Blake, The Story of the Dancing Frog tells an entrancing story of friendship and sacrifice.

15. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

One of my favorite children's novels, Appelt's The Underneath is about the bond created between an abused hound dog and an abandoned house cat as they attempt to raise her newborn kittens. A magnificent story focusing on the strength of family and friendship makes readers dig to find the good in everyone.

14. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Walk Two Moons is an intricately woven, coming of age story revolving around a 13 year old girl while she struggles with coming to terms with moving, and loss. Through charming characters, an air of intriguing mystery, and heartwarming humor, Creech explores family, tragedy, love, and friendship, while staying true to one's roots and one's self.

13. Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Written from the perspective of a witty, ten year old girl who lives with her family in the town funeral parlor, this story is driven by frank honesty mixed with a southern charm that makes it utterly endearing. "I come from a family with a lot of dead people" is the opening line of this unique book as it exhibits a refreshingly honest portrayal of life, death, and the importance of resiliency. After all, life's surprises, both good and bad, are what make the journey interesting.

12. The Garden of Eve by K.L. Going

11. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

10. Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Most readers know Lois Lowry from Number the Stars or The Giver series, but this enchanting tale of concerns little creatures who use a gossamer touch to collect memories from household items, weaving those memories into human dreams. Woven into a tale of a troubled young boy with a haunted past, this fantasy world of dream-givers and sinisteeds will leave you viewing nighttime thoughts a little differently.

9. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The list of noteworthy Kate DiCamillo books is quite lengthy (don't judge a book by its movie), so I'm choosing to focus on this one: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This story follows a rather privileged and pretentious toy rabbit on a voyage of self discovery with many lessons in love, humility, and gratitude. With a cast of characters as strongly and skillfully written as those in The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn-Dixie, this is a story that will leave you recalling images of oceans, hobos, sick children, and the eccentric elderly for weeks and months to come.

8. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Possibly one of the most cherished children's bedtime stories, written by one of the most cherished modern American authors, this is an imaginative tale that must be read by all. A journey to where the wild things are, is a wonderful escape from the mundane for any age. After all, Sendak said it best himself, "I don't write for children. I write and someone says it's for children."

7. Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Most of us know the 1977 Disney classic, "The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh," but have you read the original stories by A.A. Milne? Disney did stay significantly true to the original, but nothing replaces feeling the texture of the pages as you revisit loveable childhood characters such as Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit and Roo. This is a classic full of lessons for both the young and the old.

6. The Twits by Roald Dahl

5. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Although the message of this book has been wildly debated, it is still a timeless story that should be read by all. The enigmatic quality of the text makes it all the more alluring as an adult. I like to think that there are lessons to be learned for every reader hidden in the simple text of this story. Silverstein himself would only say, "It's about a boy, and a tree. It has a pretty sad ending." The author despised happy endings, in essence arguing that children will expect that unrealistic happiness in their own lives. Here is yet another author who never intended to write for children, but does so with unforgettable prose.

4. Watership Down by Richard Adams

3. Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

In another touching story featured on the Reading Rainbow series, the elderly Badger tries to prepare his friends for his impending death. When they discover him deceased, they have an extremely difficult time (especially mole) dealing with the sorrow they feel. As the animals come together and begin to recall special memories of their friend, they find that he had left each of them with a very special gift by which to remember him. I remember this as a wonderful book that helped me come to terms with my own grandmother's passing.

2. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit is a definitive tale of unconditional love cherished by old and young alike. It is the story of a young boy's toy who longs to be loved enough to become a real bunny. The text is beautifully written, and if the followng quote from the story isn't enough to make you tear up and desire to read more, then you are reading the wrong book list:

'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”

1. The Marzipan Pig by Russell Hoban

Looking for more? Wonderful sources to find breath-taking and inspiring children's literature include the Reading Rainbow television series featured book list, Coretta Scott King Book Award winners, as well as books/stories featured in the HBO Family network series "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child," "HBO Storybook Musicals," and "Animated Tales from Around the World." The most distinguished American picture books are awarded annually with the Caldecott medal and honors. And, of course my personal favorite resource for finding wonderful new (children's) literature, the Newbery Medal and Honors list is the oldest children's book award in the world. Now open a book and let a nostalgic adventure begin!