45 Inspirational Children's Book Quotes

Table of contents
Updated March 28, 2023 | Infoplease Staff
Children's bookshelf

As parents, teachers, or book lovers, we all know how powerful a good quote can be. Sometimes, just a few words can inspire, motivate, or uplift us. That's why language is so amazing; a well-worded phrase can completely change our outlook on life. It's often said that the right words, spoken at the right time, can be the difference between success and failure. And children's literature are a treasure trove of such quotes, with countless gems that can stay with us for a lifetime.

Reading isn't just about escaping into a fictional world; it's also about learning important life lessons that we can apply long after the last page has been turned. That's why inspirational quotes from children's books can be so powerful.

45 Inspirational Quotes from Children's Books

These quotes from children's books are not just for kids, but can inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves and to never give up on our dreams. The following quotes remind us of the importance of imagination, courage, and hope, so let's not forget the magic of children's books and the valuable lessons they teach us!

  1. "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." — Dr. Seuss, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!".
    This quote reminds us that we have the power to make our own choices in life and to take control of our own destiny.
    Vacation aesthetic vector
    Photo Source: Getty Images
  2. "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" — Dr. Seuss, "The Cat in the Hat".
    This quote encourages us to embrace our uniqueness and to celebrate what makes us different from others.

  3. "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of education and lifelong learning, and suggests that knowledge can take us to new and exciting places.

  4. "All nights are dark days, because night is simply a badly lit version of day." — Lemony Snicket, "A Series of Unfortunate Events #10: The Slippery Slope".

  5. "The more he gave away, the more delighted he became." — Marcus Pfister, "The Rainbow Fish".
    This quote suggests that the act of giving can bring joy and fulfillment to both the giver and the receiver.

  6. "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." — Louisa May Alcott, "Little Women".
    This quote encourages us to face our fears and to have faith in our ability to overcome obstacles, even in difficult times.

  7. "'Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'" — Margery Williams, "The Velveteen Rabbit".

  8. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — A.A. Milne, "Winnie the Pooh".
    This quote reminds us of our own strength, courage, and intelligence, and encourages us to have confidence in ourselves.

  9. "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." — Lewis Carrol, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".

  10. "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." — Dr. Seuss, "The Cat in the Hat".
    This quote suggests that sometimes the solutions to our problems are simpler than we think, and that we should not overcomplicate things unnecessarily.

  11. "Friendship is one of the most satisfying things in the world." — E.B. White, "Charlotte's Web".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of friendship and the joy it can bring to our lives.

    Fantasy mountain landscape
    Photo Source: Getty Images
  12. "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after." — J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit".
    This quote emphasizes the idea that sometimes the act of searching for something can be just as valuable as the thing itself.

  13. "There's no place like home." — L. Frank Baum, "The Wizard of Oz".

  14. "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." — Victor Hugo, "Les Misérables".
    This quote reminds us that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.

  15. "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." — J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban".
    This quote emphasizes the power of positivity and suggests that even in difficult times, we can find joy and happiness if we choose to focus on the good things in life.

  16. "There is a kind of magic in you." ― Roald Dahl, "Matilda".

  17. "We all can dance when we find music we love." — Giles Andreae, "Giraffes Can't Dance".
    This quote suggests that we can all find our own rhythm and joy in life when we find something that we truly love.

  18. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." — Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of caring for the world around us and taking action to make a positive difference.

  19. "Books have to be heavy because the whole world's inside them." — Cornelia Funke, "Inkheart".

  20. "If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." — Roald Dahl, "The Twits".
    This quote suggests that our inner thoughts and feelings can have a powerful impact on how we present ourselves to the world.

  21. "How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ‘em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em." — Shel Silverstein, "A Light in The Attic".

  22. "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — A.A. Milne, "Winnie the Pooh".
    This quote is a reminder that we all have inner strength and resilience, even when we don't always believe in ourselves.

    Peter Pan flying pirate ship
    Photo Source: Getty Images
  23. "All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust." — J.M. Barrie, "Peter Pan".
    This quote suggests that the world is full of wonder and magic, and encourages us to have faith and trust in the goodness of others.

  24. "Unless someone cares, the words are just words. It's the caring that makes the difference." — A.A. Milne, "Winnie the Pooh".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion, and suggests that it is our actions that truly matter.

  25. "But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you." — A.A. Milne, "The House at Pooh Corner".

  26. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." — J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
    This quote is a reminder that while it's important to have dreams and goals, it's also important to live in the present moment and enjoy the journey.

  27. "I love you right up to the moon — and back." — Sam McBratney, "Guess How Much I Love You".

  28. "You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." — A.A. Milne, "Winnie the Pooh".
    This quote encourages us to take action and be proactive in building relationships and connections with others.

  29. "I had now found my first friend, and so my life was truly begun." — Tove Jansson, "The Exploits of Moominpappa".
    This quote suggests that finding a true friend can be a transformative experience that marks the beginning of a new phase in our lives.

  30. "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." — Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden".

  31. "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." — J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of making good choices and taking responsibility for our own actions.

  32. "Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it." — Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables".

  33. "Just because you haven't found your talent yet doesn't mean you don't have one." — Kermit the Frog, "The Muppets". This quote encourages us to keep exploring and experimenting until we find our true passions and talents in life.

    Moonlight night sky
    Photo Source: Getty Images
  34. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "The Little Prince".
    This quote suggests that true understanding and connection with others comes from the heart, and not just from surface appearances.

  35. "He’s just a boy, pretending to be a wolf, pretending to be king." — Maurice Sendak, "Where the Wild Things Are".

  36. "You must never feel badly about making mistakes ... as long as you take the trouble to learn from them. For you often learn more by being wrong for the right reasons than you do by being right for the wrong reasons." — Norton Juster, "The Phantom Tollbooth".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of learning from our mistakes and not being afraid to take risks and try new things.

  37. "'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.'" — E.B. White, "Charlotte’s Web".

  38. "We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already." — J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
    This quote suggests that we all have the power within us to make a positive difference in the world, and that we don't need to rely on external forces or magic to achieve our goals.

  39. "The more that you know, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!".
    This quote emphasizes the importance of education and lifelong learning, and suggests that knowledge can open up new opportunities and experiences in life.

  40. "And so for a time it looked as if all the adventures were coming to an end; but that was not to be." — C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe".

  41. "I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing." — Herman Melville, "Moby-Dick".
    This quote suggests that we should approach the unknown future with a positive and optimistic outlook.

  42. "Nothing is hopeless; we must hope for everything." — Madeleine L'Engle, "A Wrinkle in Time".
    This quote encourages us to follow our instincts and to trust in ourselves to change the world through having hope and a good outlook.

  43. "And then I’ll look at you and you’ll look at me and I’ll love you, whoever you’ve grown up to be." — Emily Winfield Martin, "The Wonderful Things You Will Be".

  44. "Anything is possible if you've got enough nerve." — J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix".
    This quote encourages us to have courage and to believe in our own ability to accomplish great things.

    Magical garden landscape
    Photo Source: Getty Images
  45. "As long as you have a garden you have a future and as long as you have a future you are alive." — Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden".
    This quote implies that tending to a garden can give us a sense of purpose and a connection to the natural world, even in the face of adversity; and that a sense of possibility and potential is essential for a fulfilling life.

Inspirational Quotes from Kid's Books

These quotes remind us of the power of imagination, courage, and hope. They inspire us to dream big, to believe in ourselves, and to never give up, even when life gets tough. Children's books have a unique ability to teach us valuable life lessons in a way that is accessible and engaging.

As adults, we often forget the simple yet profound lessons we learned from children's books. But we hope that this list of the most inspirational quotes from children's books has ignited your inner child and brought back fond memories of your childhood!

People Also Search For:

Return to Top of Page

Sources +

About the author

Infoplease Staff


Infoplease staff work hard to create, curate, and edit a variety of content for all audiences.

Infoplease: your gateway to knowledge and enriching minds, one fact at a time.


View More About Our Editors, Experts, Authors, & Advisors