Growing up, we all had a favorite story or two (or two hundred). While there are certain books we loved to read over and over and over again, what sticks with us are the tiny life lessons that weren't so much important at the time. Today, in a world of bills to be paid and decisions to be made, there is still much wisdom to be found in the time-worn pages of our childhood favorites. Take a moment to think back upon simpler times, when quotes from these books and many more meant so much... though we didn't likely know why.

1. "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis

Isn't this the truth? While "The Magician's Nephew" may not have been C.S. Lewis' most popular read for youngsters, the lesson still rings true: sometimes it isn't everybody and everything else turning your days into bad ones: it's you. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's an important thing to grasp before we get too far along in life. Thanks, C.S. ... Can I call you C.S.?

2. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll

I read and watched the tale of this little English girl who fell through a rabbit hole many times growing up. But the first time I truly recognized the intricacy of Wonderland was when it was assigned reading in my freshman English course at Penn State. If you haven't read this book at least 1,000 times then you haven't read it enough. Seriously. Buy it. You won't regret it.

3. Literally every book of poetry written by Shel Silverstein

Whether it was "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "A Light in the Attic," "Falling Up," or the "The Giving Tree," there was no better way to spend a rainy day at Grandma's than curled up in an armchair with a book of nonsensical poetry that spoke to my little heart. Even better days? Getting to take one home on loan, to be promptly returned on our next visit. Looking back, some of those poems were, indeed, ridiculous, but others, like this one, were pretty darn thoughtful. Then again, maybe they were all thoughtful. You'll have to read them and decide for yourself.

4. "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Kenneth P. and Margery Williams

1000% the best and most underrated children's book ever written. This passage about becoming "Real" hit me real hard when I re-read it last year. There's something extraordinary about being loved so much that nothing outside of that love matters. Kind of gives you hope. I'm also holding out on the fact that my childhood toys moved and talked and lived their lives when I wasn't around... although I could never quite prove it...

5. "Winnie the Pooh" by A. A. Milne

What would a list of children's stories be without mention of Winnie the Pooh? There are so many beautiful quotes from the adventures of this honey-loving bear, but this one really sums it all up. After all, what is life about if we can't enjoy a simple meal catching up with an old friend?

6. "The Lorax" by Dr. Suess

Once again, an unmissable classic. The real challenge here was deciding which Dr. Suess book would be included. Of course, I had to go with this cautionary tale of use or be used. First the truffula trees...and now, look where we're at. What can we change to repair the damage we've caused?

7. "Aesop's Fables"

It doesn't get more #classic than this. If you grew up reading "Aesop's Fables," you probably developed a love of reading earlier than you can even remember. Plenty of simple stories that all have a moral. As Lewis Carroll wrote, "Everything's got a moral. If only you can find it."

Devote a few minutes everyday to read these ancient Greek stories, passed down through generations, from spoken to written word. Pretty amazing the power words and simple lessons can have on the human memory. Just sayin'.

8. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

Whether you prefer the Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp version of the film, there's no denying the genius behind Roald Dahl's original "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." You know what they say about all work and no play. Couldn't we all benefit from a little nonsense now and then?

9. "Eloise at the Plaza" by Kay Thompson

Ah, Eloise. A girl after my own heart. This shining sense of pragmatism would put even Maslow to shame. Show us that hierarchy, again? Eloise has got it down pat.

10. "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snickett

Real talk though: Lemony Snickett ROCKS. So many bittersweet lessons. I mean, he did give us "A Series of Unfortunate Events." What more could we ask for?

11. "Pippi Longstocking" by Astrid Lindgren

Another dynamite gal who isn't afraid to go after what she sets her eye on. With role models like Pippi Longstocking showing us the way, who needed real adults to follow in the footsteps of? Okay, so real adults still came in handy every now and then. But you catch my drift.

12. "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo

From "Because of Winn Dixie" to "The Tale of Despereaux," Kate DiCamillo just understood childhood me. When this shiny hardcover made its way into our elementary school library, you'd better believe I was all over it. Were you?

13. "Peter Pan" by J. M. Barrie

That darn Peter Pan. So young, so free, so very right. Especially about this. Have you ever been in a situation that required just a little faith, trust, and, oh, I don't know... pixie dust? Of course you have. And the quickest way to lose out is doubting your abilities. Peter Pan taught us to own life like we would never grow up. So get out there and do it! (Minus the never growing up thing... in some ways it's kind of important.)

14. "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum

No more fitting quote to end with than this one. While we learned a lot about personal strengths, the value of teamwork, and how to kill wicked witches with houses, "The Wizard of Oz" also reminded us of something that would never make more sense than it does in the first few years of adulthood: there is no place quite like home. Good, bad, ugly or otherwise. And I for one, know I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

Do you have any favorite childhood stories that aren't listed here? Share your favorite titles or quotes from children's literature in the comments below!