1

Superman

Image: Jon Tyson

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s our first entry to this article! For many, the "Man of Steel" is the epitome of an American superhero : Not only is he one of the oldest superheroes still in circulation, but he is also a die-hard defender of truth, justice, and the American Dream.

Superman’s story has been told countless times, but here’s a quick summary just in case: Born in the far-away planet of Krypton, Kal-El was sent to Earth as a baby, where he was adopted and named Clark by Martha and Jonathan Kent. Young Clark discovered his amazing powers at an early age, and grew to become Superman, the "Man of Tomorrow".

2

Batman

Image: Obi - @pixel8propix

Right along with Superman, Batman is perhaps the world’s most famous superhero. What’s interesting is that, although both superheroes are equally iconic, they couldn’t be more different: While Superman is a superpowered public figure, who regularly engages with the American people in a friendly manner, Batman is a dark and mysterious figure , who fights evil-doers from the shadows and has no superpowers other than his superhuman determination (and his fair share of high-tech gadgets!).

Bruce Wayne, the man behind Batman, has a backstory that’s almost as dark as his alter ego: Born into the wealthy Wayne family, Bruce's parents Thomas and Martha were tragically murdered when he was eight years old. Determined to fight the evil that took his family away from him, Bruce spent his life and fortune to become Batman, Gotham City’s Dark Knight.

3

Spider-Man

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Up until the emergence of this beloved superhero, whatever our childhood heroes did for a living was not particularly important. For instance, Clark Kent is a Pulitzer-winning reporter, while Bruce Wayne comes from an extremely wealthy family. However, what separates Spider-Man from the rest (besides his groundbreaking arachnid powers ) is the fact that he had to juggle his superhero activities with his education and part-time photography job. In a sense, Peter Parker was the first to show us that superheroes could also come from struggling backgrounds.

When he was first published in 1962, Spider-man was also one of the youngest superheroes out there: At age 15, Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him his amazing and uncanny abilities . Spiderman can climb up walls, swing around skyscrapers, and sense danger with his trusted "Spider-sense".

4

Iron Man

Image: Igor Bumba

Even before being immortalized by actor Robert Downey Jr . in what’s probably the most lucrative film franchise in history, Iron Man was already one of Marvel’s most recognizable superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962, this hero drew his abilities from machines’ raw power and mankind’s insurmountable ingenuity.

Unlike many superheroes, Tony Stark’s backstory is characterized by his search for redemption: Born into a wealthy family, he sought to dismantle his family’s lucrative arms-dealing business after he witnessed first-hand the horrors his products caused. Tony used his superior intellect to design and construct his iconic "Iron Man" suit , a metal exoskeleton armor that grants him flight, superhuman strength, and access to repulsor blasts and other high-tech gadgets.

5

Wonder Woman

Image: Dale de Vera

Comic books are usually considered a boys’ club, but the truth is that not all superheroes are male. We could have chosen from a myriad of iconic female heroes, but we finally settled on one of DC’s powerhouses : Wonder Woman. Though she recently saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to her 2017 jump to the big screen, this Amazonian warrior has always been a force to be reckoned with.

Princess Diana comes from the island of Themyscira, a fictional island home to the warrior race of the Amazons. Wonder Woman’s strength is almost unmeasurable, and she also possesses the gifts of flight, speed, and invulnerability. She is also armed with her indestructible bracelets and her iconic "Lasso of Truth" , which forces those trapped in it to reveal their secrets. Fun fact: Wonder Woman’s creator William Moulton Marston invented the lasso while working on his other groundbreaking invention, the modern lie detector.

6

The Hulk

Image: Hermes Rivera

When Robert Louis Stevenson published his 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , he wasn’t aware that he was also creating the basis of one of the world’s most iconic superheroes. While The Hulk is known mostly for his brutish strength and uncontrollable rage , this seemingly simple superhero also deals with mankind’s fear of its own dark side, and what happens when this more violent aspect of ourselves is let loose.

You are probably aware of the Hulk’s origin story: Dr. Bruce Banner, a brilliant scientist, was hit with a heavy dose of gamma rays after an experiment went wrong. This accident transformed Dr. Banner, turning him into the green-skinned, rampaging Hulk whenever his anger reaches a breaking point. While his powers are definitively destructive, over the years the Hulk has turned into a force of good, and a superhero in his own right.

7

X-Men

Image: Erik Mclean

The first superhero team to make it to this list, the X-Men introduced the world to "mutants", the next step of human evolution. Mutants displayed fantastical powers from an early age, although some of their mutations made them look threatening or off-putting to society. In the end, prejudice was one of the X-Men’s greatest foes, and a recurring theme throughout this series’ 60 years.

The X-Men saw a resurgence in popularity throughout the 90s and early 2000s, in part thanks to an amazing TV adaptation and a series of films produced by 20th Century Fox. Among the team’s most famous roster, we have the X-Men’s leader Cyclops (who can shoot energy beams from his eyes), Storm (a mutant that can control the weather), and Wolverine (who can heal almost instantly, and whose skeleton was reinforced with an unbreakable metal).

8

The Flash

Image: Joel Muniz

Superman might be "faster than a speeding bullet", but the Justice League’s undisputed speedster is definitively The Flash. While his superspeed power might seem simple, it is anything but: Flash is connected to an extradimensional energy source known as "the Speed Force", which allows him to move, think, and react at superhuman speed.

While the first character to take this name was Jay Garrick in 1939, the Flash most people are familiar with is Barry Allen, who was granted the powers of the Speed Force after an experiment gone wrong. His red suit and lightning-fast reflexes have made him one of the most recognizable heroes in history.

9

Thor

Image: Manuel Salinas

As we mentioned before, many believe superheroes to be our modern myths. However, what’s fascinating about this superhero is that it perfectly combines the standard characteristics of a comic book hero with the amazing feats of the most adventurous Nordic god . Thor Odinson, Marvel’s iconic otherwordly protector, is definitively the best of both worlds.

When Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created Thor in 1962, they kept many aspects of the Nordic deity: Marvel’s Thor has super-human strength, can control thunder, and is always aided by his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir . However, the modern adaptation added a new layer: Deemed too arrogant by his father Odin, Thor was banished to Earth, where he became our planet’s trusted guardian.

10

Captain America

Image: Marjan Blan

We’ll end this list with an American icon. In 1940, worried by the advancement of WW2, writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby sought to create a superhero that would both encompass the values of American life and fight to preserve peace and justice in the free world. And with that, Captain America was born.

The Captain’s story has been told many times: Steve Rogers was a frail but brave American who was administered a "Super Soldier" serum that gave him super-human speed, strength, and reflexes. However, one of Cap’s superpowers that is usually overlooked is his tenacity, both in comics and in real life: After being canceled in the 1950s, this character was brought to life once again by Stan Lee, who designed the modern version of Captain America that we now know and love.

1

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Image: Mandy Beerley

If you've ever imagined what hell might look like, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park could come close—not because it’s a place of suffering (you'll actually witness some of the most incredible views on Earth), but because it's full of glowing, molten, menacing lava. The lava flows from Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. But not everything here burns; this national park is also home to unique flora and fauna.

2

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

Image: Dan Meyers

What you're looking at might resemble a weather forecast map, but it's not. It's the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone's most famous hot spring. With its brilliant blue, orange, yellow, and green hues, it looks like a surrealist painting. Although it might look small in pictures, the Grand Prismatic Spring is huge—about 370 feet in diameter and 160 feet deep. That makes it the largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world!

3

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Image: Fudo Jahic

If you want to feel like you're walking through a giant red stone maze, Antelope Canyon near Page, in northern Arizona, is the perfect spot. Carved over thousands of years by flash floods and erosion, its towering walls allow sunlight to stream in from above, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors.

4

Painted Hills, Oregon

Image: Ashley Bard

If an artist were to paint a series of enormous hills in vibrant colors, it would probably look a lot like Oregon's stunning Painted Hills. Located within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, these hills display stripes of red, yellow, gold, and black. But that's not all! The colors shift with the seasons and change throughout the day, creating a breathtaking, ever-changing landscape.

5

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, Alaska

Image: Salomé Guruli

Exploring caves can be risky and terrifying for many, but imagine a cave system made entirely of ice! It sounds like something from a fantasy movie, but it really exists—and it's in Alaska. The stunning Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves lie beneath the glacier of the same name, formed by meltwater carving tunnels and chambers deep within the ice.

6

Turnip Rock, Michigan

Image: Maria Teneva

Turnip Rock, located in the famous Lake Huron in Michigan, is as fascinating as it is mysterious. What makes this rock so special? Standing about 20 feet tall, it has a turnip-like shape—its narrow base supports a much wider top—giving it a perfectly balanced appearance that amazes all who see it.

7

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Image: Peter Hansen

The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves are just one of Alaska's many spectacular sights. Another must-see is the incredible Hubbard Glacier in southeastern Alaska, one of the largest and most active tidewater glaciers in North America. Trust us— its sheer size and dramatic ice cliffs will absolutely blow your mind!

8

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Image: Robert Harkness

When it comes to surreal landscapes, New Mexico's Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness can't be left out. Its towering rock formations, blending shades of white, gray, red, and orange, were shaped by erosion and look like something straight out of another planet!

9

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Image: Adrien Tanic

A cave doesn't always have to be a small, cramped space. Mammoth Cave stands out with its enormous underground chambers, filled with impressive rock formations in both shape and size. In fact, it's the world's longest-known cave system—and it's right here in the state of Kentucky!

10

Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana

Image: Carlo Lisa

If you're easily spooked, Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin might not be your idea of a fun trip, especially at night! It's the largest swamp and wetland area in the US, packed with twisting bayous, spooky cypress trees, and massive alligators lurking around.

1

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

Image: rbu1249

A must to start off this list: The visuals of The Very Hungry Caterpillar are ingrained in the upbringing of millions of kids throughout the country —and the world!

Eric Carle wrote and illustrated the story of a bug eating through several foods before transforming into a butterfly. Who could forget the tactile experience of finding different holes in the pages?

2

"Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Image: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto

In the world of children’s literature, Corduroy is a tear-jerker. A teddy bear sits on a store shelf hoping a kid will pick him. Little Lisa spots him but can’t afford him, and leaves. So the bear embarks on a quest to fix his missing button, hoping this will make him more likable.

In the end, Lisa comes back and buys him as he is —because, of course, he was always enough . Is there a sweeter story to teach kids about self-acceptance and love?

3

"Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey

Image: David Trinks

A row of bronze statues in Boston’s Public Garden celebrates Make Way for Ducklings, the sweet book by illustrator and author Robert McCloskey.

He got the idea for this story when he observed ducks causing traffic issues on Beacon Street. The book follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they search for the perfect place to raise their family —ducklings Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. They finally settle, of course, in the lagoon of the Boston Public Garden.

4

"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Image: Annie Spratt

Author E.B. White had a farm in Maine, and his daily observations of barnyard animals gave him an idea: What if a pig and a spider became best friends?

In the book, the spider weaves messages to convince humans that Wilbur is an extraordinary pig and should not be slaughtered. Charlotte’s Web brushes on themes like mortality and loss —certainly bold for a children’s book. Nonetheless, it became a timeless classic.

5

"The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss

Image: Franco Monsalvo

"Thing One" and "Thing Two" have to be among the longest-standing Halloween costumes in use. They were born thanks to Dr. Seuss’ famous The Cat in the Hat in the 50s, and every kid still seems to know its iconic characters.

The story shows a day in the life of two kids left home alone when a whimsical magical cat shows up to unleash some fun chaos. The author said that he wrote the book as a response to an article in Life Magazine that lamented the dullness of children’s primers.

6

"Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel

Image: Jared Evans

Images of Frog and Toad still abound on the internet, which proves how beloved and timeless the pair became. Frog and Toad Are Friends was published in 1970 as the first in Arnold Lobel's famous series.

The wholesome dialogue, tender narratives, and classic illustrations left a lasting mark on generations of readers. Who could forget the simplicity of these two loyal friends riding a bike, flying a kite, or fishing from a boat?

7

"Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown

Image: David_Miram

We couldn’t leave Goodnight Moon out of this list! Margaret Wise Brown wrote over 100 children’s books, but this one won the hearts of little readers and their parents.

It’s a bedtime story about a young bunny saying goodnight to everything around him , from "the great green room" to "the quiet old lady whispering ‘hush’." It shows an appeasing and sweet ritual that taught kids about routines through soothing rhymes.

8

"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

Image: Adnan Uddin

In Where the Wild Things Are, mischievous young Max escapes into a vivid fantasy world after being sent to his room without dinner. There, he crosses a land of endearing monsters whom he leads as their king.

Maurice Sendak’s story and iconic illustrations captivated many generations of readers. The text was adapted into short films, a live-action film, and even an opera!

9

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

Image: Daniel Diesenreither

Remember Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar ? Before that big hit, he had been the illustrator for another unforgettable kid’s book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This one was written by Bill Martin Jr. The rhyming question-response structure introduces readers to a series of animals described by their vibrant colors : a brown bear, a red bird, a yellow duck, and so on.

10

"The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Image: Jon Tyson

Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are​ , said that The Phantom Tollbooth was a masterpiece.

This 1960s book by Norton Juster follows Milo, a bored young boy who unexpectedly receives a mysterious tollbooth that allows him to travel through fantastical lands. Juster said that the idea for this book was sparked from a random encounter with a curious child asking about infinity.