Book Trivia Questions about CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Whether you're a longtime picture book enthusiast or discovering these classics for the first time, test your memory with these nostalgic, surprising, and occasionally shocking Children's Classics trivia questions.
From the 50-word bet that created Green Eggs and Ham to a worm named Willi, Polish-Jewish aunts and uncles as Wild Things, and a children's book banned from libraries for 25 years—see how well you really remember these iconic stories and the fascinating history behind them.
Green Eggs and Ham, The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Where the Wild Things Are Book Club & Trivia Questions
Who wrote Green Eggs and Ham?
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) - American children's author known for his whimsical rhymes and iconic illustrations.
What famous bet led to the creation of Green Eggs and Ham?
Dr. Seuss's editor Bennett Cerf bet him $50 that he couldn't write a compelling children's book using only 50 distinct words. Seuss accepted and created a masterpiece with exactly 50 unique words.
How many times does the word "not" appear in Green Eggs and Ham?
82 times - making it the most frequently used word in the entire book.
What was the original title of Green Eggs and Ham?
"Green Ham and Eggs" - which doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it?
In what year was Green Eggs and Ham published?
1960 - and it ranked #1 in children's book sales by 1967.
Who wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar?
Eric Carle - American author and illustrator known for his distinctive collage-style illustrations and innovative children's books.
What was The Very Hungry Caterpillar originally supposed to be called?
"A Week with Willi the Worm" - featuring a bookworm named Willi instead of a caterpillar.
Why did Eric Carle change the worm to a caterpillar?
His editor, Ann Beneduce, advised him that a worm would not make a likable protagonist. A caterpillar was more appealing.
What educational elements are built into The Very Hungry Caterpillar?
Counting, days of the week (Monday through Sunday), and food concepts - all woven into the narrative.
Why was The Very Hungry Caterpillar printed in Japan?
The die-cut holes in the pages were so technically complex and expensive to produce that no American printer could handle the job at the time.
Who wrote Where the Wild Things Are?
Maurice Sendak - American author and illustrator celebrated for his emotional depth and distinctive monster imagery.
In what year was Where the Wild Things Are published?
1963 - and it won the Caldecott Medal in 1964 as the most distinguished American picture book.
What award did Where the Wild Things Are win?
The Caldecott Medal (1964) - one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature.
What was the original concept for Where the Wild Things Are?
Max was supposed to sail to a land of wild horses, not Wild Things. Sendak changed it because he felt unable to draw horses convincingly.
What Yiddish phrase inspired the term "Wild Things"?
"Vilde chaya" - which means boisterous, wild children. Maurice Sendak used this phrase from his own Polish-Jewish heritage.
Who inspired the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are?
Maurice Sendak's Polish-Jewish aunts and uncles. The monsters are caricatures of their intense childhood visits, which he experienced as grotesque - with wild eyes and big yellow teeth.
What are the names of the Wild Things in the 1983 opera adaptation?
Tzippy, Moishe, Aaron, Emile, and Bernard - named after Sendak's actual relatives.
True or False: Goodnight Moon was accepted by New York Public Library immediately after publication.
False - it was blacklisted from the library for 25 years because the head children's librarian, Anne Carroll Moore, thought it was too ordinary and overly sentimental.
In what year was Goodnight Moon finally added to New York Public Library's collection?
1972 - decades after its 1947 publication.
True or False: In the original draft of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the caterpillar was supposed to turn into a moth.
False - Eric Carle always intended for it to be a butterfly, not a moth.
What country was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland banned in?
The Chinese province of Hunan (1931) - because the Governor thought it was inappropriate to portray animals and humans on the same level.
True or False: In 2025, a graphic novel called Green Eggs and Ham Take a Hike was released.
True - illustrated and adapted by James Kochalka, who named the unnamed character "Walter."
True or False: In 2006, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp featuring Where the Wild Things Are.
True - it was part of the Favorite Children's Book Animals stamp series.
How many copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar have been sold?
Over 50 million copies - and it remains continuously in publication.
How many copies of Where the Wild Things Are have been sold?
Over 19 million copies worldwide (as of 2009), with about 10 million sold in the United States alone.
How many copies of Green Eggs and Ham have been sold?
Over 8 million copies in the United States by 2000 - making it the fourth best-selling hardcover children's book of all time.
FAQ
What makes good trivia questions for children's classics?
The best questions blend plot details with behind-the-scenes author facts, publishing history, cultural impact, and surprising origin stories—celebrating both the books and the fascinating journeys of their creators.
Can these trivia questions be used for book clubs or reading groups?
Yes! They're perfect for book clubs, reading groups, family game nights, and literary discussions—especially when paired with the podcast episode for deeper context and debate.
Is the difficulty suitable for casual children's book fans?
Absolutely. The mix includes accessible plot questions, author biography facts, historical trivia, and deeper thematic elements—making it fun for both new readers rediscovering these books and lifelong children's literature devotees.
Are there spoilers in these trivia questions?
These questions focus on author inspiration, publishing history, and cultural context rather than major plot twists—keeping spoilers minimal while testing your knowledge of the books' origins and impact.
Can kids participate in these trivia questions?
Yes! Many questions are designed to be accessible to children who've read these books, while others appeal to adults who grew up with them. It's a fun multigenerational activity.
Want the Full Experience?
Explore the wild origin stories behind Green Eggs and Ham, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Where the Wild Things Are, plus the Yiddish heritage, 25-year library bans, and stage adaptations in our podcast's bonus episode: