This is the platonic ideal of a picture book. Julia Donaldson's rhyming text is so perfectly crafted that parents don't mind the 30th reading (okay, you might mind a little, but you won't hate it). The mouse is clever, confident, and solves problems with his brain—no weapons, no violence, just pure wit.

The 'danger' setup works because it's immediately defused. Kids understand this is playful, not scary. And the twist—that the gruffalo is REAL—is genuinely delightful every time.

With 13.5 million copies sold and a 4.9 Amazon rating, this is as close to a universally beloved book as you'll find. It's a modern classic that actually deserves the title. Buy it, read it 500 times, then buy the sequel.