Have you ever opened the pages of a book and been immediately transported back twenty, thirty, or forty years to your own childhood? Have you ever shared a beloved remembered book with your children only to find that they love it too? You are not alone in your feelings and they are no accident. Children are the most difficult audience a writer can have. They won't settle for pages of empty words, they want powerful characters, strong images, potent plots. So is no wonder that the good books last for generations. So get ready to take a stroll down memory lane while I describe some of the authors, tales, and characters that have endured for generations and will last for generations to come.

Stories that Last Forever

If one of your child's first memories is a book, chances are that book will be Dorothy Kunhardt's Pat the Bunny (Golden, $4.95). First published in 1942, it is still a first and favorite book for many babies. This book allows a young child to see, smell and feel the storybook world of Paul and Judy who experience many of the simple pleasures most babies do. Mommy and Daddy are barely present, but one senses the warmth of family as a backdrop to all the fun in the foreground. Ages 6mo.- 2years

Babies first encounter and fall in love with the stories of Margaret Wise Brown at a young age. The most famous bedtime tale of all, Goodnight Moon, has lulled children to sleep since 1947. Adults have wondered for generations why this book is so magical (unless they grew up hearing it, then they know!) It is the story of a little bunny saying goodnight to everything in his room. It sounds dull, but less is more. The pages calm through a gentle sameness of illustrations which darken ever so gradually. A soothing rhythmic text accompanies and quiets a child into slumber. Many children may take the idea to heart and calm themselves by saying goodnight to everything in their rooms. I have heard more family stories of praise for Goodnight Moon than any other book. Ages newborn- adult. Available in paperback and hardcover. (Harper and Row, $8.95, $2.95)

For a young child, discovering The Runaway Bunny, the companion book to Goodnight Moon, is rather like re-finding an old friend. One of the most reassuring mothers ever created is found in Margaret Wise Brown's Runaway Bunny. This book is a great comfort to young children who seek independence, and at the same time want to know that Mom will always be there when she is needed. The colored illustrations show the hidden baby bunny and the searching mother, creating easy participation for a toddler. New venturing into independence comes at a variety of ages and Runaway Bunny is a book that is loved for a long time. Ages 2-4. Available in hardcover and paperback. (Harper and Row,$8.95, $3.95)

Sometimes illustrations of classic books may fool present day parents who are surrounded by the splendors of the magnificent illustrations of today. When I first looked at the simple black and white illustrations of Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag, I remembered how it came to life for me when I heard it on Captain Kangaroo. "It looks so dull, though," I thought, "my children will never go for it." They adored it! This story has become a classic because of its lyrical quality, and the strongly emotive themes that underlie the characters actions. Children have enjoyed chanting the millions of cats refrain for over thirty years. Ages 3-5. (Putnam, $9.95, $4.95 )

There is a similar successful chorus in Esphyr Slobodkina's Caps for Sale, a book that has endured for over fifty years . A peddler walks along calling "Caps for Sale" and the memory echos comfortably in one's ear if one grew up on this tale. Playful monkeys steal the cap of the sleeping peddler and then imitate his actions and mock him with their "Tsz, Tsz, Tsz". This will make children laugh for generations to come. Ages 3-5. (Harper and Row, 10.95, $2.95)

The colors in The Carrot Seed are monochromatic and it's hard to imagine that this story would excite children. And yet, it has for forty-five years. I myself have never seen it fail with a child. Perhaps this is because of the little boy's faith which never fails. His mother, father and brother all tell him that despite his care, his carrot seed will never come up. They are surprised when he yields a gigantic orange carrot, but he isn't and I don't think listeners are either. Ages 2-5. (Harper and Row,$10.89, $3.95)

Some of the stories which live forever for children are those drawn by Walt Disney artists. The Disney studios took many classic stories like Pinnochio, Peter Pan, and familiar fairy tales that were too difficult for young children to read and turned them into movies and books that are still loved by young children. One of the greatest gifts children received from this source was Dumbo. The little elephant with the huge ears has flown into children's hearts for over four decades since his appearance in 1947. Ages 3-6. (William H. Smith, $6.95)

Characters Who Live For Always

Many of the book characters who live in your children's world now, lived in your childhood too. And that is the way children experience them. They are as alive as any real person children know well and care about.

Several characters have lately celebrated their fiftieth birthdays. Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline has crossed generations and countries to become a classic in our country. The stories about the fascinating, bold little girl, one of twelve little girls who walk in two straight lines. The stories are filled with humor , fun, and adventure. Their beginning, "In an old house in Paris, that was covered with vines..." is as familiar to many children as "once upon a time." Ages 3-7. (Viking, $13.95, $3.95)

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel also turned fifty recently. It's not only machine-loving little boys who enjoy Mike. The rhythms and repetitions as Mike digs the town hall thrill all children. So do the tension of his racing the day's end, the mystery of how he will get out of the hole he's dug and the very satisfying end which answers both these. Ages 3-7. (Houghton Mifflin, $12.95, $3.95 )

Munro Leaf's gentle story of The Story of Ferdinand the bull was published in 1936. Ferdinand is a quiet, restful bull who through an accident with a bee is seen as ferocious and taken to the bull fights in Madrid. Humor of situation, just-right resolution, and emotions in both story and illustration by Robert Lawson aid in making this a long lasting book. Ages 2-5. (Viking,$3.95, $11.95)

I grew up reading stories about Babar, the little elephant who becomes king. Some of my first tears were shed over Babar's loss of his mother. So, it didn't surprise me when my daughter burst into tears early in the story. Strong emotions are something that make characters real for children. Babar's later triumphs and joys balance his difficult starts and these are as much fun to share as his sorrows. Ages 3-7. (Random House, $9.95, $4.95)

Several enduring characters are symbols for children. Gene Zion's Harry the Dirty Dog, (Harper and Row, $12.95, $3.95) Don Freeman's Corduroy (Viking, $10.95, $3.95), H.A. Rey's Curious George (Houghton Mifflin,$12.95, $3.95) ,Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon (Harper and Row, $10.95, $2.95 ), and Bernard Waber's Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (Houghton Mifflin, $13.95, $4.95 ) have something in common besides the fact that they are esteemed by children. All of these characters are alive with curiosity and excitement. They are often a bit naughty and sometimes get themselves in trouble. There always seem to be a responsible caring adult figure around to rescue them. Curious George will always be saved by the Man in the Yellow Hat, or Corduroy's Lisa always reassures him. Harry has his family and of course Harold has his purple crayon. These books are filled with adventures that a child can delight in having because everything always turns out perfectly. Ages 3-8.

Frances the Badger was created by Russell and Lillian Hoban. She has been a guiding force and comfort to children for over twenty-five years. Frances lives in an intimate family, with caring parents and faces issues that most children worry about. With her help, children can see a role model who overcomes problems such as having a new sister,(Baby Sister for Frances) a disappointing friend (A Bargain for Frances)or eating difficulties (Bread and Jam for Frances) Ages 4-7. (Harper and Row, $12.95, $3.95)

A classic doesn't always become a classic because of its age. Sometimes books become classics because of filling a need children have. Maurice Sendak changed children's books forever with his publication of Where the Wild Things Are. Monsters had always been taboo, a threat to children until the lumbering friendly wild things were tamed by the rebellious Max. This is a freewheeling fantasy that works because it is built into a secure framework that dares to confront the defiant feelings of a child honestly. Text and illustration blend and weave and enchant until we enter Max's world. And now toy stores and children's minds carry images of their hero Max and his obedient Wild Things. Ages 2-8. (Harper and Row, $12.95, $4.95)

Clifford the Big Red Dog bears a resemblance to the Wild Things in that he is seemingly too large to be controlled. And yet, his owner, Emily Elizabeth, like Max, is totally in command. Emily Elizabeth and Clifford help children celebrate holidays, neighborhood and school fun and a very special friendship. Ages 3-6. (Scholastic, $8.95, $1.95)

Authors Children Will Timelessly Admire

There are numbers of authors whose names shine through the history of children's books. These are authors you can trust to delight you and please your child, too.

Dr. Seuss's books are filled with humor of words and situations. Children are mesmerized by his stories, his rhythms and rhymes. Through the years he has written too many classics to recount. His books seem to fall into two categories. Books for the younger child have a nonsensical base that enchants children through word play and the ridiculous. As they grow, satisfied young listeners can use this language structure to help them learn to read. Cat in the Hat (Random House, $5.95 ) and Green Eggs and Ham (Random House, $5.95 )are two that have pleased young ears for many years. Other Seuss books are marked by a more complicated story with almost a fable-like feel, and a subtle message. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, (Random House, $7.95)Horton Hears a Who, (Random House, $9.95) How the Grinch Stole Christmas,(Random House, $6.95) The King's Stilts,(Random House,$8.95 ) Yertle the Turtle (Random House, $10.95 ) are all books that a child will love from ages 3-8.

Ezra Jack Keats knows the issues children face and the heart with which they approach them. He believes in families and friendships, intimacy and the powerful spirit of children. He proves this with the warmth and understanding he exhibits in books like, Peter's Chair ( Harper and Row, $13.95, $4.95 )in which a young boy first experiences a sibling relationship or Whistle for Willie ( Puffin,$12.95, $3.95 ) in which a child masters whistling. Keats' characters are easy for children to identify with and his clear, simple illustrations faithfully portray the world of a child. For ages 3-6.

The books of writer-illustrator Robert McCloskey have a perfect balance of realism and fantasy and are flavored with a pleasant humor and dedication to writing about the world on a sensory level. One would have to be a realist and humorist to house a bunch of ducks in his New York apartment while writing Make Way for Ducklings. ( Viking, $12.95, $3.95) Children will forever remember the sound of Sal's berries plink-plink-plinking in her bucket in Blueberries for Sal and revel in the feelings of plucking fruit on a hot summer's day while surrounded with mother's love. ( $13.95, $3.95)

Stories to Grow On

Your children may be young now, but eventually as they grow you will want to share with them classic novels . Some of the first novels you may want to begin with are E.B. White's Charlotte's Web, (Harper and Row, $10.95, $2.95) A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh,(Dial, $9.95, Dell, $5.95) Lofting's Dr. Doolittle, (Dela Corte, $14.95, Dell, $3.50) P.L. Traver's Mary Poppins (HBJ, $12.95, $4.95) and Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach (Random House, $17.99, Puffin, $3.95) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Knopf, $13.95, Puffin, $2.95)

One of my greatest joys of parenting has been to share with my children the literary treasures that once delighted me when I sat on my mother's lap. One of her greatest joys was the same. I am hopeful that my children and their children will feel the same. Generation after generation cherishing books together.