Experts Tell Us The Best 90s Kids Books

Say the title of this book to any 90s kid and I bet you they’ll smile right away. I don’t know anyone who grew up in that era who doesn’t have an awesome memory with this book. Whether it’s of your parents reading it to you in bed or you and all of your friends taking turns reading it in the library at school, this book is a classic.

Pig Heart Boy is a gripping story of a young boy with a heart condition who will die if he doesn’t get a transplant. The twist is that the new heart will be from a pig! This book tackles friendship, betrayal, family, animal cruelty, and life itself. It’s a tough read for ages 9+ but teaches some really important lessons as well as being a book that kids will enjoy.

Growing up in the 90s there was not a more commonly seen book in the school libraries and just in general than Falling Up by Shel Silverstein. This book was an absolute staple and is still a must read for any kids growing up/having some tough times in life. It certainly helped me through some rough patches growing up and is highly recommended to seek out if you haven’t had a chance to or heard of it before reading this.

This book about the gang travelling into Arnold’s body is the most memorable and amusing of the entire series, teaching even the smallest children about biology and the insides of their bodies. To say the least, this novel gave you excessive field trip expectations. The Magic School Bus book is a go-to for quick research on a variety of subjects. Mrs Frizzle will take your children on a crazy voyage down Arthur’s mouth and out his nose, stopping at all of the major body systems along the way.

The themes explored in this book are kindness, friendship, and love. Charlie Mackesy’s work of art is bound to leave an imprint on young minds this vacation. The easy-to-understand illustrations and calligraphy attract children effortlessly. Surely, the uncluttered lessons on truth and honesty are something your child will cherish forever. Indeed, it’s a story you would wish you grew up reading!

This fantasy story is about a thrilling experiment: virtual reality. Ross Welford in his adventurous story injected with science fiction leaves the readers enchanted. 11-year-old Georgia befriends an eccentric scientist. She becomes a test subject for her new experiment. The extraordinary journey of lovely and distinctive characters infused with elements of time travel hooks the readers. Regarded as one of the most relatable books for children because of its theme of love for animals, the story alludes to and eventually explores adults’ issues in its own way. The courageous and simultaneously innocent traits of children are heartwarming features of this book.

Right from the magical setting, enthralling plot, and well-developed characters, this story enraptures its readers. Woven with multiple perspectives, Kelly Barnhill leaves us spellbound with her fairytale. The layered story unfolds as the witch who saved a baby girl from death feeds her moonlight. This is a story of a powerful and enigmatic world that comprises both integrity and treachery. Altogether, the bestseller tale takes the young readers on a journey of magic and wisdom replete with social complexities and escalating plot.

Lara Williamson’s heartfelt novel is ideal for developing social and emotional skills. The novel speaks volumes about hope and courage. The author takes us to the world of an 11-year-old boy ‘Daniel Hope’ and his longing for his father. The raw emotions promise to make us laugh and cry in equal measures. Altogether, children are sure to love this emotional journey.

“Matilda” is a must-read for young children. The story is of a little bookworm who is also proficient in telekinesis. Matilda is a nerdy charmer who overcomes her struggles with her cleverness and conquers challenges with knowledge. She not only helps herself but also her classmates and her teacher from the dreaded headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Instead of shielding the kids from the eternal darkness of this world, Dahl helps them understand it. Subtly, the story exposes children to the grim reality of the world. It urges them to stand up for themselves. Therefore, Matilda is one of our top preferences when it comes to the best books for kids.

The dazzling cover was the first thing you noticed about this book. And once you opened it, you learnt everything there was to know about being nice, sharing, and accepting others. But there’s also the glitzy cover. This modern classic and international best-seller is popular among young children because of the eye-catching drawings. The book tells the narrative of a beautiful fish that is lonely due to its vanity and how it sets out on a mission to meet friends. The plot is around how it lets go of its most valued and prized items during the voyage!

This book is a phenomenal option from the 90s as it is very eye-catching to young children and delivers a universal message through a simple story of how a beautiful fish learns to make friends through sharing.