Well, we’re glad you asked.

Last week, Publishing Perspectives hosted a day-long event here in The Scholastic Auditorium to address the very topic. Packed with industry experts — editors, agents, writers, even our own CEO, Dick Robinson, who gave the keynote address — the event tried to nail down just what it is that makes certain children’s books so timeless. Check out the recap of the event here; it is certainly well worth the read.

The OOM editorial team started debating what qualities a book needs to have to be considered great — universality; humanity; and a cheeky sense of humor doesn’t hurt. But we’d like to ask you: think back on all the great children’s books of our time. Harry Potter. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The Giver. Anne of Green Gables. A Wrinkle in Time. What do they all have in common? Can “greatness” even be nailed down?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!