12 children's books that influenced highly successful people

Even highly successful people can appreciate the enduring impact various childhood stories have had on their lives.

Here are the 12 best and most influential children's books, according to some highly successful people.

'The Harry Potter' Series by J.K. Rowling

A series that needs no introduction, "Harry Potter" has brought millions of fans worldwide together to celebrate the story's magical, yet entirely relatable, world of witchcraft and wizardry.

'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"The Little Prince" is of a stranded pilot that meets a young Prince from outer space. It is an allegorical tale of the author's real life experiences when fleeing to North America during World War II.

Robert Grimminck of List Verse reported that actor

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What is essential is invisible to the eye

'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown

Brown's poetic story of a bunny saying goodnight to all of his inanimate belongings is one that inspires blessings and gratitude.

"I just love the idea of blessing everything that's near and dear to you before you go to sleep with a simple 'Goodnight,'" Gwyneth Paltrow told Oprah Magazine.

'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl

Among one of Roald Dahl's most beloved works is "James and the Giant Peach," the enchanting story of an orphan who befriends bugs living inside a peach with whom he subsequently embarks on an eventful journey to New York City.

"Nobody wrote more imaginative stories for kids. These worlds he created had the nonsensical appeal of Dr. Seuss, while at the same time, the characters were all written with wonderful complexities and enormous heart," actor John Krasinski told First Book.

'The 500 Hearts of Bartholomew Cubbins' by Theodore Geisel

'Fantastic Mr. Fox' by Roald Dahl

"I was in second or third grade when my sister read this to me, Scarlet Johansson told Reader's Digest."I remember that when she was finished, I insisted she start right over again."

"I attribute my love of drama to having heard her do all the characters' voices," she said.

'Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.' by Judy Blume

Although technically categorized as a young adult novel, this creation of Judy Bloom's demonstrates its protagonist's quest to find and adopt a single religion.

"My mother died then I was in the fifth grade, so I didn't have a mother to talk to about girl things," Rosie O'Donnell told Parents magazine. "I would read that book over and over."

'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein

Among one of the most illustrious children's stories is the one that showcases the relationship of a young boy and an apple tree.

Tony Robbins told NPR that "the secret to living is giving. No one so purely evokes emotions of the heart and soul as giving, receiving, rejection, expectation, love, and sorrow like Shel Silverstein."

'The Rainbow Fish' by Marcus Foster

Another book that Robbins has heralded is Marcus Pfister's "The Rainbow Fish," the story of a multi-colored fish that learns to share.

Robbins told NPR

'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett

'Matilda' by Roald Dahl

"Matilda" is the story of gifted young girl with crude parents that uses her powers of telekinesis to defend her friends from their evil principal and her twisted parents.

Matilda

'Stone Soup' by Marcia Brown

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12 children's books that influenced highly successful people

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