Twenty classic children’s books that will leave you feeling nostalgic for primary school
When I knew that I was having a baby, and started setting up his nursery, one of the most exciting tasks was getting the shelves for his first books up on the wall. Consequently, it got me feeling nostalgic for all of the timeless stories that mine were filled with, as well as those I remember best from primary school.
These were the ones I recall being read in Nursery and Reception in the mid-90s. I can picture it now: sitting cross-legged on the carpet, eagerly waiting for the teacher to turn the page. I loved these books. Naturally, I hope my son loves them too.
So without further ado, here is my personal list of twenty classic children’s books that take me right back to my childhood. Some, we’ve already started reading; others will be waiting in the wings for when he’s a little bit older.
1. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell (1982)
The beloved classic. A child pens a series of increasingly frustrated letters to the zoo, demanding a pet that won’t cause chaos. Thankfully, they get it right in the end!
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969)
Join a cute little caterpillar on his epic journey of overeating and stomach aches. This book is great for teaching little ones about numbers (not to mention delicious food).
3. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill (1980)
Spot’s mum embarks on a frantic, flap-lifting quest to locate her mischievous puppy, who seems to have mastered the art of hide-and-seek a little too well. This was one of the first lift-the-flap books to be published. As a trailblazer, it more than earns its spot on the list.
4. Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1978)
The whimsical illustrations in this interactive I-Spy book, filled with various fairytale and nursery rhyme characters, take me right back to that classroom carpet where, with each re-reading, there was always more to find.
5. The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr (1968)
An unexpected, greedy visitor causes chaos for mum and Sophie. Weirdly, my favourite part of the book was always when they visited the cafe for sausages and chips at the end.
6. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury (1989)
A family’s brave expedition to seek out a bear, through swishy swashy grass and swirling whirling snowstorms is an enduring story. Made memorable by its repetitive, rhythmic verses, it’s had me chanting along when going for walks as an adult! Plus, it’s fun to act out with children too!
7. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch (1990)
This is a beautiful book about courage and the pursuit of dreams, in which Grace vies for the role of Peter Pan in the school play, defying her classmates’ racist and sexist beliefs along the way.
8. Not Now, Bernard by David McKee (1980)
Despite Bernard’s valiant efforts to warn his oblivious parents about a lurking monster, they remain hilariously preoccupied. I used to only be able to relate to Bernard. However, that stance seems to have changed since becoming a parent…
9. Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore (1991)
In this illustrated tale, a cheeky neighbourhood cat fools multiple families into feeding him by pretending to be six different cats. And he almost gets away with it, too!
10. The Jolly Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1986)
In this rhyming story, residents of the land of fairy tales receive their mail one by one. This book was always SO exciting as a child because it had REAL letters in REAL envelopes. It blew my mind at the time (and still does, a little bit).
11. Burglar Bill by Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1977)
This book follows the misadventures of a bumbling thief whose whole world changes when he inadvertently steals a baby. As you can imagine, hijinks ensue. However, what made this one timeless for me were the lessons on change and responsibility learnt along the way.
12. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (1992)
A haughty, glittery fish learns the value of sharing and friendship as he gives away his shiny scales. Although this book has been the subject of some scrutiny in recent years over other messages it might be sending, I will always remember it as a story in which the main character learned humility and was happier for it.
13. Elmer by David McKee (1989)
Elmer, a patchwork elephant, teaches his monochromatic friends a lesson in embracing individuality and standing out in a crowd. I see myself reading this alongside The Rainbow Fish as two sides of a coin to help teach my son that both self-acceptance and compromise are important in life.
14. Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy (1986)
Mrs. Large’s quest for just a smidgen of tranquillity (and a well-deserved bubble bath) is hilariously sabotaged by her energetic elephant offspring, leaving her dreams of peace in shambles. I love the illustrations in this one – especially the rollers in Mrs Large’s hair!
15. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (1967)
A rhythmic tale featuring various colourful animals and their observations of each other. Absolutely gorgeous pictures inside – quintessential Eric Carle.
16. Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne (1994)
Handa’s journey to deliver fruit to her friend Akeyo takes a wild turn as animals pilfer the contents of her basket. As a former primary school teacher myself, I’ve found that children always love the ending of this book, especially if you act out the scene with the goat!
17. Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd (1983)
Mischievous dog Hairy Maclary goes on a walk with his friends, and together they cause chaos wherever they go. Always a really fun one to read.
18. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (1989)
Discover the wolf’s side of the story in this innovative re-telling, complete with huffing, puffing, and a not so big/bad wolf who just can’t catch a break.
19. Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury (1991)
Fed up with a lazy farmer who makes a hardworking duck do all of the chores, the animals stage a barnyard revolt. It feels so good to see that poor duck finally get some justice.
20. Funny Bones by Janet & Allan Ahlberg (1980)
A humorous and spooky tale about skeletons who venture out of their dark cellar one night. This read is not just for Halloween!
Summary
That’s my list! Simply scrolling through makes me nostalgic for those early reading days!
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which books hold that special place in your heart? Any classic children’s books that I’ve missed beyond these twenty? Feel free to leave a comment or get in touch.
Until next time!