Nostalgia: 10 Favorite Childhood Books

I hope you enjoy this collection of 10 of my favorite childhood books. From a tiny tot too young to read up to middle-grade books, I will always have a special place in my heart for these books. So many good memories that are sometimes better than the books themselves.

I am eternally grateful that my parents spent so much time reading to me when I was a kid. Then, they encouraged my love of reading by buying me endless books and even more trips to the public library so I could read on my own.

Some of my fondest memories involve being read to before bed or discovering a new favorite book.

I think most of these books are still in storage in my parent’s basement after all these years. My mom is probably saving them to read to her potential-hypothetical-maybesomeday grandkids. I think they’d like these books too.

Enjoy the list and be sure to share your favorite childhood books with a kid in your life. It’ll make all the difference in the world.

1. Junie B. Jones

By Barbara Park

I was obsessed with this book series and I think I own every single one. I know my mom kept all of these because they were ones we often read together at bedtime. Junie B. Jones was my hero.

2. Magic Treehouse

By Mary Pope Osborne

The best part about this series was the book titles. I don’t think I read all of them, but the ones I do remember were creatively named and had a lot of fun adventures. Definitely meant for older kids ready to take off reading on their own.

3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

By Eric Carle

My sister loved this book and that’s why I love it; it reminds me of her. So many interactive pieces to this book that it’s really fun to read over and over. Also… the illustrations…perfection.

4. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

By Laura Numeroff

Illustrated by Felicia Bond

Who doesn’t love an adorable mouse begging for more? Maybe the parents who have kids that do that. But, this kid book was awesome and will always be a classic.

5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

By Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault

Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

This is the most fun way to learn the alphabet and sing and read all in one. So catchy and colorful. I remember how bright the big pages were.

6. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

By Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

This book was a must-buy at the school’s Scholastic Book Fair. Every rebellious elementary school kid wanted to read about farts and silly cheese.

7. Little Critter

By Mercer Mayer

I don’t think anybody truly knows what Critter is, but that’s half the fun. I remember having a few of these books around.

8. Love You Forever

By Robert Munsch

Illustrated by Sheila McGraw

My mom loved this book, so I love this book. I think it really got the message across that my parents will love me no matter what for my entire life; growing old won’t change anything.

9. Purple, Green and Yellow

By Robert Munsch

Illustrated by Helene Desputeaux

Hopefully, kids don’t get any bad ideas from Brigid. She colors on herself with super-indelible-never-come-off-till-you’re-dead-and-maybe-even-later coloring markers. Oops.

10. Frog and Toad

By Arnold Lobel

I had nearly forgotten about this book until some friends dressed up as Frog and Toad for Halloween this year. I remember my copy was probably 20 years old and it smelled like wet newspaper, but I loved it!