What Makes a Book “Great” for Kids? (Hint: It’s Not Always What You Think)

When we think about great books, our minds often go to timeless classics, award winners, or those considered high-quality literature. But if you’ve ever watched a child laugh out loud while reading Captain Underpants or beg to stay up late to read just one more chapter of a series, you know—those moments are what make a book great.

Here’s the truth: A great book for kids is one that makes them want to read. It sparks curiosity, excitement, and maybe even a little obsession with finding the next book in the series. And while these books might not always show up on “best literature” lists, they show up where it counts—on kids’ nightstands, in their backpacks, and in their hearts.

I’ve seen countless kids fall in love with reading because of books that adults often side-eye. Captain Underpants might be full of potty humor, but I’ve watched 3rd graders who hated reading suddenly race to the library to grab the next one. And yes, Harry Potter may have its critics, but there’s no denying that it opened the doors to fantasy reading for an entire generation of children.

We don’t need to push “challenging” books or “important” literature to make reading meaningful. We need to support books that kids enjoy. Once they discover that reading can be fun, silly, exciting, or even magical—they’re hooked. And that love of reading? That’s what lasts.

So the next time your child is giggling at a comic-style chapter book or rereading their favorite fantasy series for the third time, celebrate it. Those books are doing exactly what they’re meant to do: helping kids fall in love with reading.