Favorite Children's books of the 80's and 90's
Not sure why, but I had a sudden yearning for some of the books I used to love as a child growing up in the 80's and 90's. I've found that some of my favorite books are still in print, or at least available through Amazon. Here they are now, for your viewing pleasure! My hope is that you'll rediscover books from your childhood that you can share with the next generation, or just use to bring a smile to your own day.
Table of Contents
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Fabulous Food-Based Fantasy
I'm so glad this book is still available! It must be because it's simply amazing. I have to have read this book dozens of times in my youth. The images are quirky and wonderful, and the concept is unique: there is a land of people who don't have to worry about buying or preparing food, because the weather provides all they need! What hilarious consequences will result from "juice rain" and "mashed potato snow?" Find out in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs!
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/17/2009) 
Love You Forever
Heartwarming Tale of Mother Love
This is a book that my mother used to read to me often, and even as a young child the action of the story really meant something to me. The story starts out with the mother singing to her baby as he sleeps. As the child and the mother get older, the mother continues to secretly visit her son and sing to him, even after he's moved away. The twist at the end of the story brings me to tears. A wonderful story for a mother to let her children know just how much she loves them.
Love You Forever
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Ox-Cart Man
Lovely Pictures and Lovely Language
This book takes us back to a simpler time, a time when families lived off of carving broom handles and gathering goose down. Not only is it a good lesson on American history for young children, it's also an engaging story with gorgeous illustrations. You feel as if you are right there with the characters, tapping maple trees and picking apples.
Ox-Cart Man
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Princess Furball
New Twist on an Old Genre
Another great story that I'm so happy to have found. This is a warm and engaging fairytale, similar to a retelling of Cinderella, but with a healthy dose of Scandinavian style. It's somewhat like a Hans Christian Anderson story in that respect. A young woman must use her wits to avoid an arranged marriage to an ogre and find her own place in the world.
Princess Furball
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Strega Nona
Piles of Pasta No Match for Strega Nona!
Apparently this is an ancient tale, but Tomie dePaola's illustrations give it a new life. The story features a witch (Strega Nona, a.k.a. "Grandmother Witch") who keeps her magical secrets close to her, and a mischeivious young man (Anthony) who wants the magic without any of the responsibility. When things get out of hand, Strega Nona saves the day, but not without teaching Anthony a lesson he won't soon forget!
Strega Nona (Spanish) (Spanish Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 12/17/2009)
All of the Mr. Men and Little Miss Books
These books by Roger Hargreaves are simple and delightful. Even now, in my relative "old age," I find pleasure in picking up one of these books. Mr. Messy is my favorite. I love the poetic quality of the lines, for example:
"'Neat and Tidy!' said Mr. Neat. 'Tidy and Neat!' said Mr. Tidy."
Great for young and old alike! If you haven't experienced these books yet, they're definitely worth a look!
"'Neat and Tidy!' said Mr. Neat. 'Tidy and Neat!' said Mr. Tidy."
Great for young and old alike! If you haven't experienced these books yet, they're definitely worth a look!
Mr. Messy (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Mr. Forgetful (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Mr. Happy (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Mr. Slow (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Little Miss Sunshine (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/17/2009)
Looking for other good books?
- All About Tamora Pierce
- A favorite children's author of mine. These books are chapter books, but still wonderful for young readers.
- All About Elvira Woodruff
- Here's another author worth checking out. She writes time-travel and historical fantastical fiction.
- Emma Larkins - Emerging Author
- Check out my blog for more book recommendations and interviews with people in the book industry!
Share your Favorites! Or Tell Me What You Think!
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- ShannonC ShannonC Nov 14, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
- Great list, I love the Mr. Men series
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- enslavedbyfaeries enslavedbyfaeries Oct 27, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
- This is really wonderful! I have a few treasured books from my childhood and was so happy to share them with my girls as they grew.
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- emmalarkins emmalarkins Oct 20, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
- Glad you guys liked the lens! Susan52, I totally agree. I almost cried writing this lens, with all the memories it brought back to me of reading and being read to as a child.
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- Susan52 Susan52 Oct 20, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
- Love You Forever always makes me cry. At my age, I am both the mother and the child in that story. Makes me cry to think about it, but there's still a smile on my face.
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- RickBasset RickBasset Oct 12, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
- Thanks for sharing and welcome to the
"BOOKS ON SQUIDOO" group!
Peace! :~)
by emmalarkins
I'm an emerging author on the path to publication. Join me on my journey! See my blog for more info.
My first short story, titled Midsummer Disc Dr... (more)
My first short story, titled Midsummer Disc Dr... (more)
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