20 Books to Revisit on International Children's Book Day If You Grew Up in the ’80s or ’90s
A trip down memory lane with 20 iconic books every ’80s and ’90s kid grew up reading.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 7 min read
International Children’s Book Day is the perfect excuse to revisit the books that shaped your childhood. If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, these stories likely filled your bookshelf, your imagination, and maybe even your nightmares. From heartwarming classics to slightly traumatic tales, here are 20 books worth a nostalgic reread.
1. Matilda – Roald Dahl
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Matilda is a gifted girl stuck with the worst parents imaginable, but her love for books helps her escape into knowledge. When she discovers she has telekinetic powers, she uses them to fight against the cruel Miss Trunchbull. With humor, rebellion, and the ultimate bookworm fantasy, this story remains a childhood favorite.
2. The BFG – Roald Dahl
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A Big Friendly Giant snatches Sophie from her bed, but instead of eating her, he takes her on a journey filled with dreams and adventure. Together, they hatch a plan to stop the bone-crunching giants from terrorizing children. This book proves that the right friends can turn even the scariest situations into something magical.
3. The Witches – Roald Dahl
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A young boy stumbles upon a secret convention of witches who despise children and plan to turn them all into mice. His wise grandmother helps him fight back, but the story’s eerie tone makes it one of Dahl’s creepiest tales. If you ever looked at an oddly dressed woman and wondered if she was hiding claws, this book is the reason.
4. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web on Wikimedia Commons
A tiny pig named Wilbur befriends a wise spider named Charlotte, who weaves messages into her web to save him from becoming bacon. Through their friendship, readers learn about kindness, loyalty, and the cycle of life. If you didn’t cry at the end, you’re made of stone.
5. The Boxcar Children – Gertrude Chandler Warner
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Four orphaned siblings create a cozy home inside an abandoned boxcar, proving that independence can be an adventure. They work together to solve mysteries, cook their own meals, and make the best of every situation. This book made every kid want to run away and live off the land—at least for a little while.
6. The Babysitters Club – Ann M. Martin
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Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey turn their after-school babysitting gig into a full-fledged business. Each book in the series explores friendships, personal struggles, and the ups and downs of running a small empire as a preteen. Whether you were a Claudia (artsy), a Kristy (bossy), or a Stacey (fashionable), this series had something for everyone.
7. Goosebumps – R.L. Stine
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This series introduced a generation of kids to haunted masks, evil dummies, and cursed summer camps. With twist endings and terrifying cover art, Goosebumps was the perfect mix of fun and fear. If you ever stayed up too late reading and regretted it immediately, R.L. Stine is to blame.
8. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – Alvin Schwartz
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The creepy folklore was unsettling, but the grotesque illustrations are what really stuck with readers. Stories like The Big Toe and Harold the Scarecrow haunted many children. If you ever hesitated to look in a mirror at night, this book probably had something to do with it.
9. Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Louis Sachar
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Wayside School was built 30 stories high by mistake, and its students experience the weirdest school days imaginable. There’s a teacher who turns kids into apples, a girl who’s way too good at everything, and a lunch lady who might be serving something suspicious. The absurd humor made this series feel like school but in the best way possible.
10. Holes – Louis Sachar
Newell, Peter on Wikimedia Commons
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a juvenile detention camp where the boys dig holes all day, but there’s more to it than just punishment. A mystery involving a long-lost treasure, a family curse, and a heart-wrenching love story unfolds. This book proved that even the most random events can be connected in the most unexpected ways.
11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
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Harry Potter goes from a neglected orphan to a wizard with a destiny, discovering Hogwarts and a whole new world along the way. Between the magical spells, moving staircases, and the mystery of the Sorcerer’s Stone, this book cast a spell on an entire generation. It was the start of a phenomenon that made every kid secretly hope for their own Hogwarts letter.
12. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
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Four siblings stumble into a magical world where an evil White Witch has cursed the land with eternal winter. With the help of a talking lion named Aslan, they fight to bring back hope, warmth, and balance. This book made kids everywhere check their closets for secret passageways.
13. A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
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Meg Murry and her little brother embark on an intergalactic adventure to rescue their father, guided by three mysterious celestial beings. Through mind-bending time travel and otherworldly creatures, they learn about love, courage, and the power of individuality. This book blended science fiction and fantasy in a way that felt both magical and deeply profound.
14. The Velveteen Rabbit – Margery Williams
Margery Williams on Wikimedia Commons
A stuffed rabbit longs to become real, but only love can make it happen. As the boy who owns him grows older, the rabbit’s journey becomes a bittersweet lesson in love, loss, and transformation. This book taught us that being loved—even if it means getting a little worn out—is what truly matters.
15. The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter on Wikimedia Commons
Peter Rabbit ignores his mother’s warnings and sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden, leading to a wild and suspenseful chase. His mischievous nature and the charming illustrations made this story an instant classic. Every kid who read this secretly cheered for Peter but also learned to listen to their parents.
16. Stellaluna – Janell Cannon
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A baby fruit bat gets separated from her mother and is raised by a family of birds, struggling to fit in. She tries to act like them but eventually realizes she must embrace her true nature. This beautifully illustrated story is a heartwarming lesson in identity, belonging, and friendship.
17. Love You Forever – Robert Munsch
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This simple yet powerful book follows a mother and son through the years, showing their unbreakable bond. The repeated refrain, “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always,” gets more emotional with every read. If you ever saw an adult cry over a children’s book, it was probably because of this one.
18. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Laura Numeroff
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A simple act of kindness, like giving a mouse a cookie, sets off a hilarious chain reaction of endless demands. The story’s circular pattern and playful illustrations make it an all-time favorite. It also subtly teaches kids (and parents) about cause and effect and maybe even patience.
19. Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
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Max misbehaves and is sent to bed without supper, only to embark on a wild adventure with monstrous yet lovable creatures. He becomes their king but soon realizes that home is where he truly belongs. This book celebrates imagination, adventure, and the comforting power of love.
20. The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister
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A shimmering fish refuses to share his beautiful scales but soon learns that generosity brings more joy than selfishness. The stunning illustrations and simple yet meaningful lessons made it a childhood staple. Every kid who read this secretly wished they had their own glittery scales.