I can trace my entire reading life back to a single moment: sitting in the school library, halfway through my first Magic Tree House book, completely transported to ancient Egypt. I was seven years old, and I had just discovered that books could take you places.
That's the magic of children's series. They don't just entertain kids—they create readers. The right series at the right age can spark a lifelong love of books. And the best children's series do this across generations.
Why Series Work for Young Readers
Series offer something unique to developing readers:
The Comfort of Familiarity
A new book can be intimidating. But the next book in a beloved series? That's like visiting an old friend. Kids know what they're getting into, and that comfort encourages them to keep reading.
Building Reading Muscles
Each book in a series is practice. Kids build vocabulary, comprehension skills, and reading stamina in a context they enjoy. They're not doing "reading exercises"—they're finding out what happens next.
The Joy of Anticipation
There's nothing quite like the excitement of waiting for the next book in a series you love. Kids learn that reading is worth waiting for, worth anticipating. That's a valuable lesson.
The Picture Book Series That Started It All
Before chapter books, picture book series introduce the concept of returning to beloved characters:
Timeless Favorites
- Curious George - That mischievous monkey has been delighting kids since 1941, and the formula still works perfectly
- Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans' Parisian adventures remain visually stunning and emotionally true
- Frog and Toad - Arnold Lobel's stories about friendship are simple, profound, and infinitely re-readable
- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus - Mo Willems understands kids' sense of humor like no one else
Modern Picture Book Series
New series continue the tradition:
- Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey - Comic format for developing readers
- Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems - Perfect for emerging readers
- Llama Llama by Anna Dewdney - Emotional intelligence through story
Early Chapter Book Series: The Bridge
These series help kids transition from picture books to longer reading:
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
I mentioned this series opened my world, and I mean it. Jack and Annie travel through time and space, learning about history and science while having adventures. There are over 60 books now, plus the Merlin Missions and research guide companions. A kid could stay in this world for years.
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
Junie B. captures the voice of a kindergartener so perfectly it's almost spooky. These books are genuinely funny—not "funny for kids," but actually funny. The series transitions from kindergarten through first grade, growing with its readers.
Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows
A friendship series about two very different girls who become inseparable. These books celebrate the weird, specific ways kids think and play.
Middle Grade: The Golden Age
This is where children's literature really shines. Middle grade series combine sophisticated storytelling with accessibility:
Fantasy That Shapes Readers
- Harry Potter - Obviously. These books created an entire generation of readers and continue to do so.
- Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan made mythology cool and accessible. His various mythology series have introduced millions of kids to Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian gods.
- The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis's classic fantasies remain powerful and strange.
- Redwall - Brian Jacques's anthropomorphic animal adventures are surprisingly epic.
Realistic Fiction That Connects
- Ramona Quimby - Beverly Cleary captured ordinary childhood with extraordinary precision.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney's illustrated journals have turned countless reluctant readers into enthusiastic ones.
- The Baby-Sitters Club - Ann M. Martin's friendship and entrepreneurship series is getting new life through graphic novel adaptations.
Reading Together: The Family Experience
Many of these series make excellent read-alouds. There's something special about experiencing a series together:
- Shared references become family jokes
- Discussion of the story deepens understanding
- The ritual of reading together builds connection
- Parents rediscover the joy of these books through their kids' eyes
Finding the Right Series
Every kid is different. Some want fantasy adventures. Some want realistic stories about kids like them. Some want mysteries. Some want funny books. The key is matching the right series to the right reader at the right moment.
Our database helps with this. Search by genre, reading level, or just browse children's series to find options. We track reading orders, distinguish core books from spinoffs, and note companion content.
Because every reader deserves that moment—the one where a book takes them somewhere new and they realize what reading can be.
— mrod