Are you a 90s kid looking for a healthy dose of nostalgia? Check out this list of 30 kid’s books from the 90s!
The 90s was a time of peace and prosperity in the country, and a decade when kids were encouraged to play and let their imaginations run wild. If you spent your childhood during this time then you know how epic it was! These books might bring about happy and longing memories of a time when life was just a little easier.
I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles
Remember spending hours trying to find all the hidden objects inside these colorful and imaginative books? Every edition had different themes and unique pages to explore, including fantasy lands, Christmas, school-related, and everything else in between!
The Magic School Bus
You probably remember the animated kid’s show by the same name, but The Magic School Bus also had books with vivid illustrations and educational stories. Mrs. Frizzle was always the best teacher. Her motto was “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”
Little Critter Books
Were they porcupines? The Little Critter books featured a family of presumed porcupines and a little boy who likes to take care of things by himself. One of the best things about these books was trying to find the mouse, spider, and other little critters on every page.
Mad Libs
While Mad Libs began in the 1950s, there were still a big part of the 90s. If you spent hours trying to find the perfect, most hilarious adjective and noun for every blank with your friends and family you are not alone.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
The beautiful story of Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman follows a strong little girl with a big imagination. Her curiosity is encouraged by the women in her life and there is nothing that can stop her from being who she wants to be.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
This book series of three collections of short horror stories was one of the best things to read to sleepovers and around the campfire. While they were marketed for children, there is no doubt these stories kept 90s kids up at night.
Goosebumps
What was the best part of the book fair? Goosebumps books! These creepy tales were in both book and TV form and kept 90s kids entertained every day after school. From werewolves and vampires to aliens and haunted masks, Goosebumps was responsible for a decade of nightmares and a growing love for the horror genre.
The Rainbow Fish
You probably recognize the iridescent scales in this picture book even if you don’t remember the story. It’s a story for younger children that encourages sharing and how it can bring happiness.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
While your mom probably wasn’t siked about you reading about a superhero with no pants, this series took off in the 90s and is still popular today. This illustrated graphic novel revolves around two fourth graders and an unusual hero.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by John Scieszka
The odd book of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales takes a weird spin on some of your favorite childhood stories, like Cinderella, The Ugly Duckling, and The Frog Prince.
The Berenstain Bears Books
While the beloved Berenstain Bears first started in 1962, more than 300 books are in the collection, which many 90s kids grew up reading. This family of bears tackled many issues, from bullying to lying.
Amelia Bedelia
Well-meaning Amelia Bedelia delighted young readers in the 90s with her hilarious misunderstandings. Amelia is a maid who reads instructions from the Rogers family but takes everything literally, leading to some hilarious outcomes.
Wayside School
Written by Louis Sachar, the Wayside School series began in the 70s, but was well-loved into the 90s and beyond. Each chapter of the book is dedicated to one of the students in the wacky 30 story school.
Arthur Series by Marc Brown
Marc Brown is the author of the Arthur Adventure books, and the co-developer of the PBS show 90s kids know and love. While the first book was written in 1976, this series was a staple in children’s libraries for decades.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Selling over four million copies, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a classic children’s book that explores what it’s like to have a terrible day and how a good attitude can turn everything around.
Junie B. Jones
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, the first book in the series, was published in 1992 and was the perfect story for 2nd and 3rd graders learning how to read. Junie, the five year old character, is a spunky, sassy girl with lots of big opinions that made us all laugh.
Magic Tree House Books
With over 130 books in the series, the Magic Tree House has delighted readers since 1992. A brother and sister discover a magical tree house filled with books, taking them on journeys throughout time.
The Babysitters Club Books
The Babysitters Club book series contains more than 100 books and graphic novels perfect for eight to ten-year-olds. The first book was released in 1986 and continued through the 90s, maintaining a popular stance among grade schoolers of the decade.
Animorphs Series
This science fantasy series written by a husband and wife team was popular during the 90s, with many books released in 1996 and 1997. While they were meant for a younger audience, older kids still enjoyed reading through this dark and gritty series.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
The dark and reimagined story of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is a parody told by the Big Bad Wolf. This funny picture book came out in 1989 and continued its popularity among many different age ranges through the 90s.
Chicken Soup For the Soul Books
While there are over 300 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the original was released in 1993. Over the years, the series of heart-warming stories from different authors has provided encouraging books for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Miss Nelson is Missing!
This classic and hilarious story of a misbehaving class and a legendary substitute teacher was a favorite for those who grew up in the 80s and 90s. Along with the excellent story, the illustrations elevated this picture book.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
Stories in the 90s were on a different level. A Bad Case of Stripes is still a popular book in schools today due to the important life lessons within its pages, from bullying to self-love and individuality.
Girl Talk Series
Written by L.E. Blair, Girl Talk is a series centered around American teenage girls, specifically those in junior high. The story follows four girls navigating school, friendships, and crushes.
Mickey Wonders Why Books
You may remember seeing these Mickey books in schools and libraries during the 90s. This series explored a different topic in each book and was popular among young grade school students.
Barbie and Friends Book Club Books
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
The story of Heckedy Peg is about an evil witch who turns seven children into different types of food, and the mother must figure out how to turn them back. It was released in 1987, but many 90s kids grew up reading this book at bedtime.
King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub
Shivers Book Series
Little Golden Books
