Take a blast to the past with these children's books from the 1980s and 1990s! This timeframe produced many beautiful, interactive, simple, and original stories. The stories that many parents and grandparents have read are now enjoyed by generations of children.
From award-winning series to one-hit wonders, there were many books that became popular picks during this span of time. Browse this list of 35 of the best children's books from the 1980s and 1990s to see if your favorites are among these chosen ones.
1. The Kissing Hand
This classic tale of love between a mother raccoon and her baby is a favorite for many. This beautiful story tells of how a mother reassures her baby that he is never alone and always has her love with him. This is a popular book to use for back-to-school or in other times of separation of parent and child.
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2. Go Away Big Green Monster
A super fun story for back-to-school time or around Halloween, this book has bold and vibrant illustrations. It is a great book for helping children face their fears. Generations of children have used this book to gain confidence and overcome fears.
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3. Guess How Much I Love You
Available in the form of a board book, this sweet story of love between a parent and a child is a story that has been enjoyed by many. Perfect for bedtime, this simple story is a great way to help express the special love and bond between parents and children.
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4. Where's Waldo?
Where's Waldo is a whole series of interactive stories to keep youngsters busy for hours! With limited text and many extremely detailed illustrations, children can seek to find Waldo and his friends hiding amongst very busy backgrounds. They are well hidden so these fun stories are great for explorers who love a challenge.
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5. The Polar Express
The delightful story of The Polar Express is a classic picture book popular around Christmas time. A beautifully illustrated Caldecott winner, this story takes readers on an adventure that is full of magic and wonder, as a little boy makes his Christmas wish.
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6. The Berenstain Bears
Silly and fun, but always ending with a moral lesson, The Berenstain Bears series is definitely a favorite from this timeframe. These picture books feature a friendly bear family and help the reader to learn a real-life lesson that can apply easily to this age group.
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7. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
A hilarious spin on The Three Little Pigs, this fracture fairy tale tells the clever adventure from the perspective of the wolf. He claims the pigs have it all wrong and he wants a chance to tell the true story. His version is quite different, of course. This is a great book to use for a fairy tale unit and to introduce fracture fairy tale writing.
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8. Where's Spot?
A wonderful lift-the-flap book, this adorable board book will keep little ones engaged. This interactive book follows the story of Spot the dog and all his hiding places. This is a classic bedtime story for little ones who enjoy reading about animals.
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9. Five Minutes' Peace
This delightful story is a fun and silly depiction of day-to-day life for some moms. This is a classic bedtime story, sure to get some giggles from the whole family. Children enjoy watching the elephant mom try to escape for a few minutes of peace, as her babies follow her and need her the entire time.
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Oh, this is another classic book from the 1990s. With all of the unique and quirky illustrations ins a Dr. Seuss book, this one shares the road of life and how it includes ups and down along the way. This book walks us through a clever adventure and is a perfect gift for graduation.
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11. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Loved by preschool and kindergarten teachers everywhere, this is a classic must-have book for every home and every classroom. This adventure for toddlers and young school-aged children is a great introduction to the alphabet in the form of a picture book.
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12. Where the Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are is a wonderful picture book for children of all ages. Max is sent to his room and enjoys a visit to where the wild things are, as his imagination runs wild and free. Children have enjoyed this captivating book for many years. Winning a Caldecott Award, this book is a wonderful story full of adventure and detailed illustrations.
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13. Amelia Bedelia
Amelia Bedelia is a housekeeper who is extremely literal. She does exactly what she is told to do. Generations of children have enjoyed this series, as more books are added over time. The hilarious antics and fun figures of speech will keep readers engaged and interested in these silly stories.
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14. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
A wonderful story of a boy who is living his worst day ever! Children of all ages will relate to the terrible and horrible things that Alexander experiences on his very bad day. This is a wonderful picture book to read when life sends hiccups your way and you are having a very bad day.
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15. Goodnight Moon
A classic title, Goodnight Moon, is a perfect board book for toddlers and young readers. It is an ideal bedtime story, as the book takes the time to go through all the goodnights for every item the little bunny sees.
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16. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
A humorous story of raining food, this amusing and fast-paced adventure follows life in a unique town. It is fun and funny until the weather takes a turn for the worst. What will the town and the townspeople do when the portions get heavier and bigger and the raining food does not stop?
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17. Love You Forever
Not only a best seller in English, but in other languages as well, this loving book shares the tender love and affection between mother and son. The classic title is perfect for the sweet emotion that a mother has for her own. The book follows the son as he grows and his mother's love for him never wavers.
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18. We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Going on a bear hunt is always fun, and this book tells you just how to do it. It carries you on a fast-paced, fun-loving adventure through all sorts of wilderness. Read with a chant, it keeps children engaged and interested.
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19. The Brave Little Toaster
Made into a movie shortly after its release, this book is an adventure like no other. When several small appliances go in search of the person they belonged to, they face challenges and difficulties all along their way. This is a great twist on your average bedtime story and should definitely be on your book list!
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20. The Jolly Postman
A favorite interactive book, this picture book has little envelopes, complete with letters. They are written like classic fairy tales and Mother Goose rhymes. This clever book keeps children engaged and curious about what comes next.
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21. Funnybones
Perfect for young readers, the Funnybones series will always get a giggle. These classic picture books have won many awards and come highly recommended for young readers. Full of humor and fantastic illustrations, these books are a big hit!
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22. The Babysitter's Club Series
A series that every girl must dive into, The Babysitter's Club has an extensive number of titles in the collection. A popular book for tween girls, topics range from friendship to crushes to school to family life. They are wholesome and great chapter books for girls of older elementary and younger middle school.
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23. Arthur's Nose
Marc Brown has brought us an entire series full of Arthur classics! This is the one when Arthur decides that he wants a new nose because he does not like the one that he has. Your children will enjoy this one and all of Arthur's other classic tales!
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24. The Butter Battle Book
Told in classic rhyming text, Dr. Seuss brings a book that helps young children understand and respect differences. Through the story, students will see that it is perfectly fine to have a different opinion than others.
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25. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
One of the most loved children's picture books of all time, this story is great for learning more about colors and animals. In the predictable pattern of this book, readers will love meeting the friendly bear and all his friends.
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26. Stellaluna
This sweet story follows a baby bat who is dropped from her mother and finds herself among a family of baby birds. Although they will all eventually fly, she is very different from them. They accept her and she becomes part of their family in the adorable story.
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27. Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Sure to tickle your funny bone, Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a funny chapter book filled with silly characters and goofy events. The school is built sideways and the characters all have their own unique quirkiness.
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28. Beezus and Ramona
Beezus is just trying to be a good and responsible big sister, but Ramona is a walking tornado, full of mischief and energy. She is always up to no good and manages to bring trouble wherever she goes. Beezus tries to be patient, but Ramona is a special kind of trouble.
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29. The Very Busy Spider
Another awesome picture book by Eric Carle, The Very Busy Spider has long been a favorite book for children. Uniquely illustrated, this interactive book is fun to touch, as well as read. Fun for all ages, this book for toddlers, early childhood, and even elementary-aged children is a must-have for every bookshelf.
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30. Little Critter Series
Little Critter is among my favorite series of picture books. He, and later his little sister, share their experiences with their family and as they grow up. These awesome picture books are great for young readers and ideal for bedtime stories.
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31. Goosebumps Chapter Book Series
A whole series of wildly spooky and scary chapter books. Boys and girls in elementary school will love reading about the different scary stories and how they may end in R.L. Stein's Goosebumps series.
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32. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Does your little learner love scary stories? This is the book for those who enjoy ghost stories and frightening bedtime tales. While they read these folktales and spooky stories, they will enjoy simple illustrations that will help keep them fearful and frightened. But not too scared!
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33. The Rainbow Fish
One of the most beautiful book covers ever, The Rainbow Fish has exquisite detail in the colorful and shiny scales. The story is a sweet tale of learning to share and being a good friend. This book is a great choice for starting back to school and setting a tone of kindness in your classroom.
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34. Franklin's Bad Day
A whole series of books follows Franklin, a turtle who helps young readers learn valuable life lessons. This particular Franklin book is a good choice for when a friend has to move away. It is a good book to help young readers process emotions of sadness.
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35. Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein is a classic poet with plenty of content! He thinks up the silliest, fun adventures possible. Children will giggle and can't wait to turn the pages of his books, as they soak up the equally silly illustrations and goofy topics.
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