As a kid from the ’90s, there was something special about playing in the yard all day and taking typing classes in elementary school. But nothing screams the ’90s to me like revisiting books I loved as a kid. And one of the most exciting moments of becoming a mom was being able to share my favorite childhood books with my children.
I have been an avid reader since I was a little girl, and a love of reading is something I want to cultivate with my own kids. Holding my old, dog-eared copies covered with crayon marks and sharing them with my boys makes me wistful for the memories of reading with my own mother right before bed.
Here are 10 of my favorites that are sure to bring that nostalgic feeling to your bedtime reading time.
Amelia Bedelia will always hold a special place in my heart. As an awkward child who was clumsy, I felt like Amelia was such a kindred soul and I hoped my children would love her stories too, and luckily, they get just as many laughs as I used to. When I was a child, I had no idea that Stan and Jan Berenstain were successful cartoonists, but after rereading their books as an adult, it's amazing to realize that their series was a family affair inspired by their son’s interest in children’s books. The pictures are timeless and my boys are just as riveted by each book as I was when I was their age. Eric Carle books have been parent and teacher favorites for decades—and the board book version of award-winning The Very Hungry Caterpillar came out in the '90s. This timeless story is perfect to help children practice counting, learn the days of the week, understand the process of metamorphosis, and even learn about healthy eating habits. This was my husband's favorite book as a child, and now we can not only read the book as a family but also enjoy the series on Amazon Prime. The title always catches my son’s attention and both my kids love how the story comes full circle. I was so excited to share the Captain Underpants series with my sons because I used to read these on repeat to my younger brother. Thinking back to all the laughs we used to have as kids and seeing my two sons enjoy them just as much makes me so nostalgic. The Arthur books have always been so family-oriented (like the show) and they are just as wholesome as I remember them to be. Each book is humorous and filled with lessons for children of all ages. Ms. Frizzle is one of my favorite characters from childhood by far because she made each lesson she taught her students into an adventure. My kids are obsessed with the Netflix show and the books, and as a parent, I love how they are educational and entertaining. My eldest is obsessed with search-and-find books and was ecstatic when I found my copies from childhood. They each have a range of riddles and interactive spreads that are easy enough for toddlers and preschoolers. McBratney’s series is so heartwarming and beautifully illustrated. This is sure to be a favorite I hope to pass down to my grandchildren one day. This is definitely a series for older children who are into spooky books. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the genre when I was younger, my 6-year-old is obsessed with all things horror.
