There are several common themes. Morality is a big one. For instance, in 'Pinocchio', the story teaches about lying and the importance of being honest. Another theme is discovery. In 'Where the Wild Things Are', the boy discovers a whole new world. And then there's the theme of perseverance. In 'The Tortoise and the Hare', the tortoise shows that slow and steady wins the race, which is all about persevering.
A very lovely children's short story is 'The Ugly Duckling'. It's about a little duckling that is different from the others and is often made fun of because it looks 'ugly'. But as it grows up, it turns out to be a beautiful swan. This story tells children that everyone is special in their own way and not to judge by appearances.
Mostly, they can be of good quality. Some are written by professional children's authors who want to share their work widely. However, the quality can vary. Some might have simpler illustrations, but the stories themselves can still be great for kids' entertainment and learning.
The most famous one is probably 'The Night Before Christmas'. It has been told for generations and is very much part of Christmas tradition. It vividly describes Santa's visit.
One of the main themes is generosity. In stories like 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', the transformation of the Grinch from a mean character to one who gives back shows this. Another theme is magic. 'The Polar Express' is full of magical elements like the train journey to the North Pole. And of course, the spirit of Christmas is a big theme, which often includes family, love and celebration as in 'A Christmas Carol' where Scrooge rediscovers the importance of these things.
Children's animated stories can be educational in many ways. For example, in 'Dora the Explorer', Dora often has to solve problems and find her way, which can teach kids about problem - solving and directions. Stories like 'Sesame Street' teach basic skills such as counting and the alphabet.
Some popular children's animated stories include 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. It's a classic tale about a beautiful princess and her encounter with the dwarfs while fleeing from her evil stepmother. Another is 'The Lion King', which tells the story of Simba, a young lion who has to face his destiny and reclaim his kingdom. 'Toy Story' is also very popular, where toys come to life when humans are not around.
One popular children's fantasy story is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. It follows Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a strange world filled with peculiar characters like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter. Another is 'The Chronicles of Narnia' series. These books take children to the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe, where they encounter talking animals, witches, and great battles between good and evil. 'The Wizard of Oz' is also well - loved. Dorothy is swept away to the magical land of Oz and has to find her way home with the help of a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion.