As a long time picture book fan, I must admit that many of my all-time favourites even today were published in the 1980s-1990s! Which inspired me to put together this fabulous list of over fifty of the Best Children’s Books from the 80s and 90s.
Who can even believe that some of these classic picture books are forty years old! The list includes many award winning titles, beloved and respected authors and books that have been read over and over again by subsequent generations of children from the same family – I loved sharing many of these with my own children.
Want to go further back? For books published prior to the 1980s, check out our list of 50 Classic Picture Books and 20 Classic Chapter Books to Read Aloud With 5-8 Year Olds.
55+ Best Children’s Books From the 80s and 90s
As with all of the lists in our Best Books for Kids collection, each title in this list links to an Amazon and/or Book Depository page (these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you) where you can find more information and reviews for titles you might not be personally familiar with.
Mrs Honey’s Hat by Pam Adams  Why is everyone staring at Mrs Honey’s marvellous hat? First published in 1980. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Funnybones by Janet & Allan Ahlberg  This frightfully funny Halloween classic tells the story of three skeletons – a big skeleton, a little skeleton and a dog skeleton – who venture out one night to find someone to scare, only to discover that everyone is in bed! Whatever will they do now? First published in 1980. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill  A fabulous lift-the-flap adventure for toddlers, Spot the Dog has long been a much loved classic. First published in 1980. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Peace at Last by Jill Murphy  With a snoring Mrs Bear, an excitable Baby Bear and a house full of tapping and dripping and ticking, peace is hard to come by – will Mr Bear ever get a decent night’s sleep? First published in 1980. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake  A witty, rhyming picture book about Mr Magnolia who has a full and happy life except for one serious omission – a boot! How on earth can Mr Magnolia splash in the puddles with everyone else? First published in 1980. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch  This bestselling classic features a brave princess who rescues a very snooty and rather ungrateful prince! First published in 1981. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell  Can the zoo help one find the perfect pet? It’s certainly not a monkey, a lion, or even an elephant! A wonderful lift-the-flap book for toddlers and preschoolers. First published in 1982. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton  This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scrub in the tub, brush and brush their teeth, and finally rock and rock and rock to sleep. First published in 1982. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton  A sweet, short rhyming tale of a shy hippoptamus who looks on as the animals play and is delighted when they welcome him into their fun. First published in 1982. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd  Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy (in fact, the entire Hairy Maclary series) was loved by both my kids when they were preschool/kindergarten age. The cumulative rhyming prose is perfect for inviting pre-readers to join in and who wouldn’t love such a fabulous bunch of puppies! First published in 1983. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood  This fun story shares the antics of little mouse who will do anything to save his red, ripe strawberry from the big, hungry bear. It brings a smile to the face of every preschooler I’ve ever read it to. First published in 1984. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle  Early one morning a little spider begins to spin her web on a fence post in this fabulous sensory treat from the beloved Eric Carle. First published in 1984. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Koala Lou by Mem Fox  A young koala competes for her mother’s heart when a new sibling is on the way–only to discover that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that there is no second place when it comes to love.. First published in 1984. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Magic School Bus At the Waterworks by Joanna Cole  Ms. Frizzle and her students follow the trail of water, from its sky-high source to the school bathroom sink on a rather wet and wild fieldtrip.The classic title that started the award-winning series! First published in 1985. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff  If a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he’ll ask for a glass of milk….but beware as this is not all he may ask for! First published in 1985. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz  Ever wonder just what a million of something means? How about a billion? Or a trillion? A fun and funny way to help children understand complex numbers. First published in 1985. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg  A young boy is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole. The Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. One for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas. First published in 1985. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois  Franklin is afraid of the dark…including that within his own shell!! Bravely he sets out to seek help in this first book of the hugely popular series. First published in 1986. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Jolly Postman by Janet & Allen Ahlberg  This fun, interactive story includes letters, notes, comics, puzzles and more as the Jolly Postman delivers mail to a series of familiar fairy tale characters. First published in 1986. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Animalia by Graeme Base  A wonderfully clever adventure through the alphabet. There is so much to see on each page as you look for all the things starting with that letter. First published in 1986. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox  I can see a nose and two eyes in the bushes! cries Hattie. Hattie tries to warn her friends of impending danger but none of them listen. Until it may be too late! First published in 1986. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins  The wind blew, and blew, and blew! It blew so hard, it took everything with it – Mr. White’s umbrella, Priscilla’s balloon, the twins’ scarves, even the wig on the judge’s head. But just when the wind was about to carry everything out to sea, it changes its mind. First published in 1986. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Can’t You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell  Big Bear sets out with all his patience and understanding to show a scared and sleepless Little Bear that the dark is nothing to be afraid of. First published in 1987. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen  Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. First published in 1987. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert  What would you like to grow today? Is it green beans, or peas? Corn or carrots? A wonderful picture book about growing vegetables. First published in 1987. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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I Went Walking by Sue Williams  A young boy strolls through the countryside seeing a black cat, then a brown horse, then a red cow, and so on, in catchy verse. First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh  One day three white mice discover three jars of paint – red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the red and blue? Or dance in the blue and yellow? First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka  The Big Bad Wolf gives his own version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs…but is it truthful? First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery by Graeme Base  As the guests gather for Horace the elephant’s eleventh birthday party, a curious mystery is revealed in the form of a puzzle featuring picture clues and a rhyming text. An awesome picture book for older children. First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jnr  This beloved alphabet chant about the letters racing up a coconut tree has been a popular choice for generations of children. First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen  This classic chant follows a family’s fun romp through long grass, a splishy splashy river and squelchy mud in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest! First published in 1989. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell  A hardworking duck lives with a lazy farmer, doing all of the chores while the farmer sleeps. Until the day the other animals of the farm decide to take action with a simple, but heroic, plan. First published in 1991. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman  When her school decides to perform Peter Pan, Grace is longing to play Peter but her friends say that Peter was a boy, and he wasn’t black. But Grace’s Ma and Nana tell her she can be anything she wants if she puts her mind to it. First published in 1991 Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Possum Magic by Mem Fox  Grandma Poss uses her bush magic to make Hush invisible but when Hush wishes to see herself again, the two possums make their way across Australia to find the magic food that will make Hush visible once more.. First published in 1991. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell  Three baby owls wake up one night in their hole in a tree to find that their mother has gone. So they sit on a branch and wait. Will their mother return? First published in 1992. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister  The Rainbow Fish, with his shimmering scales, is the most beautiful fish in the ocean. But he is proud and vain and none of the other fish want to be his friend. How can the Rainbow Fish find a friend? First published in 1992 Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble  Jimmy’s pet boa constrictor wreaks havoc on the class trip to a farm! First published 1992 Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough  Eddie’s in for the surprise of his life when he discovers that his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle… but is this teddy really his???. First published 1992 Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley  A wonderful, interactive book for helping children face that all too common childhood fear – monsters! First published 1992 Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch  A lighthearted tale about being yourself, and the dangers of following others instead of having your own mind. First published 1992. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn  Chester Raccoon does not want to start school until his mother introduces him to the Kissing Hand to reassure him of her love. First published 1993. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Stellaluna by Janell Cannon  An adorable baby fruit bat is adopted by the occupants of a birds nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. First published in 1993. Available: Amazon |
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney  A beautiful story of the love between a parent and a child. First published in 1994. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann  A mischievous Gorilla isn’t quite ready to go to sleep so he follows the zookeeper on his rounds, letting all of the other animals out of their cages! First published in 1994. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins  Ma has made delicious cookies and their are plenty to share but then the doorbell rings… and rings … and rings! First published in 1995. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Jamberry by Bruce Degan  A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. First published in 1995. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen  The delightful story of five animal friends who decide to go for a row on the bay. Do you know who sank the boat? First published in 1996. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae  A wonderful rhyming safari through the jungle with poems playing homage to each animal. First published in 1996. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes  Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher. But when she fails to follow Mr Slinger’s rules, Lilly learns an important lesson in making amends.. First published in 1996. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt  A reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent for a child whatever the circumstances. First published in 1997. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Edwina The Emu by Sheena Knowles  When Edward and Edwina Emu find themselves expecting ten little emus, Edwina tries her feathers at a variety of jobs to support the growing family, from chimney sweep to ballet dancer! First published in 1997. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells  It’s Grandma’s birthday and Max wants to make her an icky, worm-infested cake. But Ruby intends to make an angel surprise cake with raspberry-fluff icing. Will they both become bunnies who bake? First published in 1997. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon  A wonderful story for older children exploring the theme of worrying less about what others think of you, and staying true to yourself. First published in 1998. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough  Duck’s truck is stuck in the muck, but luckily help is at hand in the form of a frog. When Frog and Duck fail to release the truck t sheep comes to help, and then goat. Who will finally sets the truck free?!! First published in 1999. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Maisy’s Bedtime by Lucy Cousins  The simple stories of Maisy are favored classic for toddlers and preschoolers. First published in 1999. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson  A clever mouse outwit a series of forest animals who rather fancy him for their tea, with the story of a terrible gruffalo! First published in 1999. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae  Gerald the giraffe would love to join in the Jungle Dance but everyone knows that giraffes can’t dance…or can they? First published in 1999. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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