1

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

Image: rbu1249

A must to start off this list: The visuals of The Very Hungry Caterpillar are ingrained in the upbringing of millions of kids throughout the country —and the world!

Eric Carle wrote and illustrated the story of a bug eating through several foods before transforming into a butterfly. Who could forget the tactile experience of finding different holes in the pages?

2

"Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Image: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto

In the world of children’s literature, Corduroy is a tear-jerker. A teddy bear sits on a store shelf hoping a kid will pick him. Little Lisa spots him but can’t afford him, and leaves. So the bear embarks on a quest to fix his missing button, hoping this will make him more likable.

In the end, Lisa comes back and buys him as he is —because, of course, he was always enough . Is there a sweeter story to teach kids about self-acceptance and love?

3

"Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey

Image: David Trinks

A row of bronze statues in Boston’s Public Garden celebrates Make Way for Ducklings, the sweet book by illustrator and author Robert McCloskey.

He got the idea for this story when he observed ducks causing traffic issues on Beacon Street. The book follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they search for the perfect place to raise their family —ducklings Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. They finally settle, of course, in the lagoon of the Boston Public Garden.

4

"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Image: Annie Spratt

Author E.B. White had a farm in Maine, and his daily observations of barnyard animals gave him an idea: What if a pig and a spider became best friends?

In the book, the spider weaves messages to convince humans that Wilbur is an extraordinary pig and should not be slaughtered. Charlotte’s Web brushes on themes like mortality and loss —certainly bold for a children’s book. Nonetheless, it became a timeless classic.

5

"The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss

Image: Franco Monsalvo

"Thing One" and "Thing Two" have to be among the longest-standing Halloween costumes in use. They were born thanks to Dr. Seuss’ famous The Cat in the Hat in the 50s, and every kid still seems to know its iconic characters.

The story shows a day in the life of two kids left home alone when a whimsical magical cat shows up to unleash some fun chaos. The author said that he wrote the book as a response to an article in Life Magazine that lamented the dullness of children’s primers.

6

"Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel

Image: Jared Evans

Images of Frog and Toad still abound on the internet, which proves how beloved and timeless the pair became. Frog and Toad Are Friends was published in 1970 as the first in Arnold Lobel's famous series.

The wholesome dialogue, tender narratives, and classic illustrations left a lasting mark on generations of readers. Who could forget the simplicity of these two loyal friends riding a bike, flying a kite, or fishing from a boat?

7

"Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown

Image: David_Miram

We couldn’t leave Goodnight Moon out of this list! Margaret Wise Brown wrote over 100 children’s books, but this one won the hearts of little readers and their parents.

It’s a bedtime story about a young bunny saying goodnight to everything around him , from "the great green room" to "the quiet old lady whispering ‘hush’." It shows an appeasing and sweet ritual that taught kids about routines through soothing rhymes.

8

"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

Image: Adnan Uddin

In Where the Wild Things Are, mischievous young Max escapes into a vivid fantasy world after being sent to his room without dinner. There, he crosses a land of endearing monsters whom he leads as their king.

Maurice Sendak’s story and iconic illustrations captivated many generations of readers. The text was adapted into short films, a live-action film, and even an opera!

9

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

Image: Daniel Diesenreither

Remember Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar ? Before that big hit, he had been the illustrator for another unforgettable kid’s book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This one was written by Bill Martin Jr. The rhyming question-response structure introduces readers to a series of animals described by their vibrant colors : a brown bear, a red bird, a yellow duck, and so on.

10

"The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Image: Jon Tyson

Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are​ , said that The Phantom Tollbooth was a masterpiece.

This 1960s book by Norton Juster follows Milo, a bored young boy who unexpectedly receives a mysterious tollbooth that allows him to travel through fantastical lands. Juster said that the idea for this book was sparked from a random encounter with a curious child asking about infinity.

1

There's only one

Image: Keith Luke

How many states share a border with just one other state? Only one! Do you know which one it is?

Correct! It's Maine. The Pine Tree State, located in the northeastern United States, shares its only state border with New Hampshire to the west. But wait! It also borders Canada (the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec) to the north and northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

2

Alaska's distance

Image: Hari Nandakumar

If someone asked you what the shortest distance is between Alaska and the Lower 48 states, would you know the answer? Most people wouldn't! Well, the average distance between Alaska and the contiguous US is about 500 miles. But that's not the most interesting part. Believe it or not, Alaska is actually closer to Russia than to the mainland United States! At their closest point, Alaska and Russia are separated by just 2.4 miles across the Bering Strait.

3

The US-Canada border

Image: Sergey Pesterev

You probably already know that, at 5,525 miles, the US-Canada border is the longest land border in the world. But there are still some fascinating details about it that many people haven't heard before.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House (Derby Line, Vermont & Stanstead, Quebec) has an international border inside the building! You read that right: Americans enter through one door, Canadians through another. But be careful! International law requires that you exit through the same door you entered.

4

The largest freshwater lake

Image: Andrew Ling

The Great Lakes —Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario— are one of the natural wonders of North America, and they also hold a world record!

That's right! The largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area is right here in North America. We're talking about Lake Superior, which is shared by both the United States and Canada.

5

The most densely populated state

Image: Rob Curran

Since New York City is the most densely populated city in the country, many tend to believe that, as a result, New York State is the most densely populated. However, that's not the case.

The most densely populated US state is actually New Jersey! Its small size, combined with the large population in its urban areas and its proximity to New York City, has earned The Garden State this title.

6

The largest US state

Image: Jacob Vizek

Most Americans know which state is the largest by area. But outside the US, some get this fact wrong!

Many people answer "Texas" when asked which is the largest of the 50 states. But in reality, Alaska is far bigger, covering about 665,300 square miles compared to Texas's 268,600. This misconception may stem from Texas's reputation as a "large state" or from the way many maps distort Alaska's true size, making it appear much smaller than it actually is.

7

Florida's capital

Image: Meadow Marie

Miami is not only the most densely populated city in Florida but also one of its most famous, right up there with Orlando! Perhaps that's why many people mistakenly believe Miami is the capital city of the Sunshine State. However, the capital city of Florida is actually Tallahassee, which is smaller and doesn't quite receive as much attention.

8

The longest river

Image: Samantha Sheppard

Measuring the actual length of a river can be tough due to the serpentine shape that these bodies of water often take. This may be why many people are unsure about which river holds the title of the longest in the US.

Well, here's the truth: At 2,341 miles, the Missouri River is the longest river in the US, though just by a small margin. In second place is the Mississippi River, which stretches for some 2,320 miles and is often mistakenly thought to be the longest due to that small difference.

9

New York's capital

Image: Charlize Kruger

Similar to Florida, New York State's capital city is not its largest or most famous.

Contrary to what many people think, the capital of New York is not NYC, but Albany. Although Albany is smaller than NYC, it's an important economic and political hub, and it was chosen as the state capital because of its central location along the Hudson River.

10

Large population

Image: Satyan Chawla

The United States is known for having a large population, partly due to the large size of its territory. But did you know it's also one of the most populated countries in the world? In fact, it's the 3rd most populated, coming right after India and China! There sure are a lot of us, aren't there?

11

1

Boring, Oregon – "The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: everett mcintire

With a name like Boring, Oregon, you’d expect residents to have a sense of humor. Their slogan flips that expectation, proudly calling Boring the most exciting place to live.

The town has even partnered with Dull, Scotland, to form an "International League of Dull Places."

2

Hell, Michigan – "Go to Hell"

Image: Brad Switzer

Hell, Michigan, has turned its unusual name into a marketing goldmine . The slogan "Go to Hell" is proudly displayed on signs, T-shirts, and souvenirs, attracting thousands of curious visitors each year.

Locals have fun with it, running events like Halloween festivals and themed shops.

3

Normal, Illinois – "Everything is just as it seems!"

Image: Zander Betterton

The city of Normal, Illinois, proudly uses the slogan "Everything is just as it seems!" as its official motto, playfully referencing the town’s unusual name .

The name Normal has historical roots: it comes from the French phrase école normale , which described a type of school for training teachers.

4

Peculiar, Missouri – "Where the ‘odds’ are with you"

Image: Brittney Butler

A town with a name that is the exact opposite of the previous entry, Peculiar, Missouri, has also decided to embrace its unusual identity with the slogan "Where the ‘odds’ are with you," adding a playful touch to it

The oddball branding draws curious travelers, and the town celebrates its peculiarity with local events and merchandise.

5

Nothing, Arizona – "All for Nothing"

Image: Christoph von Gellhorn

Nothing, Arizona, an unincorporated community with an ironic name, became known for the phrase "All for Nothing." While not an official slogan, it reflects the determination of residents who built lives in a place with almost no amenities.

The phrase captures both humor and grit, giving the tiny settlement an identity that can be hard to forget.

6

Superior, Wisconsin – "Living up to our name"

Image: Tom Barrett

Superior, Wisconsin, sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, and its slogan, "Living up to our name," highlights both geography and civic pride .

It’s a confident statement that sticks in visitors’ minds. The town blends natural beauty with historical significance, and the slogan reinforces that it considers itself a cut above the rest.

7

Happy, Texas – "The town without a frown"

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

Happy, Texas, took its cheerful name and ran with it . Its slogan, "The Town Without a Frown," spreads positivity and conveys a sense of friendliness throughout the community.

The motto has become a source of local pride, turning a small Panhandle town into a feel-good stop that lives up to its sunny reputation.

8

Gas, Kansas – "Don’t pass gas, stop and enjoy it"

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Gas, Kansas, leans fully into its unusual name with a slogan that makes travelers laugh every time . Located in Allen County, this small town has become a roadside favorite thanks to its cheeky pun.

Rather than shy away from the obvious joke, Gas celebrates it, featuring the motto on signs and even postcards.

9

Lake City, Iowa: "Everything but a lake"

Image: Shawn Schroeder

Lake City, Iowa, proudly uses the slogan "Everything but a Lake." The phrase humorously acknowledges the irony behind the town’s name, since there’s no actual lake within its limits . Despite this, the motto highlights that Lake City has plenty to offer in other ways.

The town’s name was inspired by another town in Illinois, yet Lake City has successfully carved out its own character.

10

Show Low, Arizona - "Named by the turn of a card"

Image: Gerard Albanell

Show Low owes its unusual name to a high-stakes poker game played between two ranchers who couldn’t agree on who would claim the land. The decision came down to a single rule: whoever drew the lowest card would win, and from that moment, the town became known as Show Low.

Even today, Show Low highlights its origin story in tourism and branding, proudly using the phrase "Named by the turn of a card."