Abby Cohen, at age 9, has a pretty good idea of what makes a compelling children’s book.

For example: When Ramona Quimby vomits, it makes for good reading.

“They’re kind of about things kids can understand,” Abby, a third-grader at Quail Run School, says. “When Ramona Quimby throws up, everybody knows that can be embarrassing.”

The Ramona Quimby series, by renowned children’s author Beverly Cleary, is regarded by many elementary school librarians as children’s classics.

As schools across the country celebrate Cleary’s 90th birthday Wednesday with an event dubbed Drop Everything and Read, a new focus has been put on the books deemed “classics” by those who follow children’s literature.

“They deal with real issues kids deal with growing up,” says Jane Imber, a school librarian for nearly 30 years who now works at Quail Run School, 1130 Inverness Drive. “It’s things like embarrassing themselves while growing up or having brothers and sisters. Good authors understand what it’s like to be a kid and go to school, or to have something happen that changes life in your family.”

Test of time

Recently, Harry Potter and many fantasy knock-offs have been the focus of the children’s literature world.

But there are plenty of books from previous generations that remain popular today.

In addition to books by Cleary, some of those include “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, the “Little House on the Prairie” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, books by C.S. Lewis and Judy Blume and mystery series involving Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys series and the Bobsy Twins.

Those who are involved with children’s literature say just about any type of book can become a classic if it’s well-written and relates well to its audience.

“I think it’s really hard to say, because you think there must be some kind of formula,” says Giselle Anatol, an associate professor of English at Kansas University who teaches courses in children’s literature. “There are formulas that work, but if they’re not applied properly, a work can appear trite and overdone.”

Generally, she says, the elements of a good children’s novel include a conflict between good and evil, compelling writing and characters to which children can relate.

“A lot of books look at the battle between good and evil – that’s a standard in a lot of ways,” Anatol says. “Authors make it very moralistic. Very successful books address the issues in more depth.”

Older is better

Jordan Trajkovski, an 11-year-old fifth-grader at Langston Hughes School, 1101 George Williams Way, is a fan of several books that have stood the test of time.

Among his favorites: “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster (published in 1961), “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls (1961) and “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson (1977).

“They’re good, a lot of them,” Jordan says. “It’s hard to explain, but they’re better than newer books.”

Though some elementary librarians say the historical setting of novels can doom them – say, for instance, a novel that describes the Internet as a new phenomenon – some historical works have endured.

For instance, Emily Griffin, another Langston Hughes fifth-grader, is a fan of the “Little House on the Prairie” series.

“It came out in (television episodes),” she says. “I like learning how they had to build their house.”

Like many adults, children tend to agree that books are better than their movie counterparts.

“In the book you can get details,” says Cole Overton, a third-grader at Quail Run. “The movies aren’t that long.”

Dreamers as readers

Fantasy novels have made a decent showing in children’s books that have become classics.

C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” would make most classics lists, and some would put “Charlotte’s Web” in that category.

“The story (Charlotte’s Web) could happen,” says Casey Hearnen, a third-grader a Quail Run, “except for the spider making words in the web and the animals talking.”

What remains to be seen is whether the Harry Potter series will become a classic in 50 years.

Anatol, the KU faculty member, says the series certainly will be a candidate.

“I do think they’re very well-written,” she says. “The magical world Harry goes to when he leave his foster parents’ home and goes to Hogwarts (his school) seems timeless. It hearkens back to a medieval setting of castles and dragons. That doesn’t seem to be dated.”