Sure, you remember your favorite books from childhood fondly, but how well do you really know them? Since I started MFA program in writing for children and young adults, I’ve been rereading the canon and finding I remembered both more and less that I expected. In this book quiz packed with classic children’s literature trivia, you’ll get a chance to revisit the highlights of the kid lit canon, from picture books to chapter books and novels of all genres.
Plus you get even more interesting facts about children’s literature authors in this bonus article here on the blog:
The children’s literature questions (and answers) will test your memories and appreciate kid lit all the more. This fun book trivia for kids and adults alike celebrate the best of children’s literature. The answers are listed at the bottom. Good luck, readers!
And now on to the questions!
Questions 1 – 5
1 – Where does the Dursley family live in the Harry Potter series?
a) 6 Drill Street, Petunia Crossing
b) 12 Gringott Corner, Dudley Town
c) 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging
d) 16 Diagon Alley, London
2 – What is the name of Matilda’s teacher?
a) Mrs. Lizzie Sugar
b) Miss Jennifer Honey
c) Miss Lavender Bogtrotter
d) Mrs. Agatha Trunchbull
- Add Matilda on Goodreads // Purchase on Amazon
- Take my Matilda quiz on Book Riot
3 – Who is NOT a resident of the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie-the-Pooh?
a) Owl
b) Badger
c) Christopher Robin
d) Tigger
4 – In The Cat in the Hat, what type of pet does Sally have?
a) Fish
b) Hamster
c) Dog
d) Bunny
5 – What is the name of the little boy who’s the hero of The Snowy Day?
a) Billy
b) Michael
c) Carl
d) Peter
Questions 6 – 10
6 – Who wrote Harriet the Spy?
a) Judy Blume
b) Betty MacDonald
c) Louise Fitzhugh
d) E. L. Konigsburg
- Add Harriet the Spy on Goodreads // Purchase on Amazon
- Be sure to check out my list of the best Harriet the Spy quotes about writing here on the blog.
7 – What is NOT a title of a book in Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit series?
a) The Tale of Mr. McGregor
b) The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
c) The Tale of Ginger and Pickles
d) The Tale of Mr. Tod
8 – What kind of clothing does Max wear in Where the Wild Things Are?
a) Bat cape
b) Pajamas
c) Cat costume
d) Wolf Suit
9 – Who is NOT a character in A Wrinkle in Time?
a) Mrs. When
b) Mrs. Whatsit
c) Mrs. Which
d) Mrs. Who
10 – The author of Charlotte’s Web also wrote which book?
a) The Cricket in Times Square
b) Stuart Little
c) The Wind in the Willows
d) Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Questions 11 – 15
11 – In what decade was Goodnight Moon published?
a) 1940s
b) 1950s
c) 1960s
d) 1970s
12 – What is NOT the title of a chapter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?
a) “Alice’s Evidence.”
b) “The Mock Turtle’s Story.”
c) “Advice from a Cat.”
d) “Who Stole the Tarts?”
13 – In From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, where do the kids camp out?
a) American Museum of Natural History
b) The Metropolitan Museum of Art
c) The Museum of Modern Art
d) The Bronx Zoo
14 – What is the name of the creature who makes sure people don’t waste time in The Phantom Tollbooth?
a) The Time Tiger
b) The Clock Cat
c) The Watchdog
d) The Minute Monster
15 – What instrument does Peter play in Peter Pan?
a) Harmonica
b) Flute
c) Mandolin
d) Trumpet
- Add Peter Pan on Goodreads // Purchase on Amazon
- Check out my list of the 30 best quotes from Peter Pan on the blog
Questions 16 – 20
16 – In which city does Make Way for Ducklings take place?
a) London
b) Philadelphia
c) Boston
d) New York City
17 – How many girls attend Madeline’s school in Paris?
a) 10
b) 12
c) 15
d) 20
18 – Who is Curious George’s best friend?
a) The Captain
b) The Man in the Yellow Hat
c) The General
d) The Girl with the Red Scarf
19 – In Harold and the Purple Crayon, Harold draws all of the following EXCEPT?
a) A sun
b) A pie
c) A dragon
d) A moon
20 – In The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, what is the name of the children who go to Narnia?
a) The Parker siblings.
b) The Kirke siblings.
c) The Pevensie siblings.
d) The Ketterly siblings.
ANSWERS
- c
- b
- b
- a
- d
- c
- a
- d
- a
- b
- a
- c
- b
- c
- b
- c
- b
- b
- a
- c
RESULTS: How’d you do?
If you got 0 – 5 correct…
Seems like it’s time to brush up on classic children’s literature! Consider your score an invitation to revisit your favorites from childhood. A new reading means another chance to appreciate what makes these stories timeless.
If you got 6 – 10 correct…
You remember these books fondly, but maybe you get your Peter Rabbits and Peter Pans confused. Picking up these classic books again will give you a chance to spend time with old friends and analyze them with a modern critical eye.
If you got 11 – 15 correct…
You’ve got a sharp eye for details and remember the specifics of classic children’s books, not just a hazy memory. It’s obvious these books have had a huge impact on your life. Maybe it’s time you write one of your own…
If you got 16 – 20 correct…
Wow—congratulations! You’re an expert in children’s literature and clearly remember the canon very well. You go further than just rote memorization but have opinions on the at times problematic books. Push yourself further to read more modern children’s literature and appreciate how the genre is evolving.
