This is my latest installment of picture books by the decade. How great was the 90s for picture books? Seriously great. At least I think so. (Notice I’ve used bubble writing for the years in each picture!)
RoxaboxenĀ by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara CooneyĀ was on my PBsĀ for summer listĀ as well because it’s quintessentially summer and captures the magic of childhood at the same time. Ah, this book. A favorite. A classic. Perfection.
The Widow’s BroomĀ by Chris Van Allsburg is dark and clever and deals with (this is Chris Van Allsburg!) magic. A woman, a witch, a broom, what the neighbors think, and the meaning of evil.
Pumpkins: A Story for a FieldĀ by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Barry Root.Ā I’ve sung this one’s praisesĀ hereĀ before too. But really it just blows meĀ away. Early Mary Lyn Ray is so so good. (As is later and current!)
Grandfather’s JourneyĀ by Allen SayĀ is aĀ dear to my heart bookĀ about immigration, family, and having two homes. It’s one of the first picture books I loved as an adult.
The LibraryĀ by Sarah Stewart, pictures by David SmallĀ is a tribute to books and libraries and this lovable nose-in-a-book-character, Elizabeth Brown, who embodiesĀ both.
A Special Kind of LoveĀ by Stephen Michael King is quite an unusual book. It’s about a father who can’t say the words, “I love you,” to his son, so he shows him through the stuff he makes with his hands.
Night DrivingĀ by John Coy, illustrated by Peter McCarthy is another father/son book.Ā It’s slow and quiet like a road trip and full of details for soaking up.
A Picture Book of Amelia EarhartĀ by David A. Adler, illustrated by Jeff Fisher. I do love a heroic Ā historical lady biography.
WeslandiaĀ by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin HawkesĀ is one of my favorite books, period. Wesley is a bullied boy. He’s also an ingenious one. Over summer vacation, he turns his backyard into a veritable civilization by growing one staple crop. It’s strange and brilliant and empowering.
Looking at this list of my faves from the 90s, I’m not sure what conclusions to draw exactly. But I would note the magical realism threaded through thisĀ list. Relationships with family members figure into this bunch too, as well as relationships to special places.
Okay, your turn! Please tell me any of your favorite 90s picture books in the comments!
And check outĀ 8 picture books from the 80s too!
I was in high school and college when these came out so I don’t recall any of them since I wasn’t a ‘child’ back then. I recently read Roxaboxen and just loved it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the others you suggested.
I read them all as an adult too! I hope you find some new favorites here. Thanks for stopping by, Stacey!
I take that back… I know Grandfatherās Journey since I’ve used that in the classroom. But not the rest.
GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY gets me every time (i.e. I weep). š
All wonderful, wonderful books!
Here to add one of my personal favs, SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY. I can read it over and over and still find something new to marvel over.
Oh! I didn’t realize that one was from the 90s (perhaps because it’s so new to me). Thanks for the shout out, Cathy!
I read Roxaboxen over and over to my girls when they were young. Loved it!
Roxaboxen is the best of the best.
Roxaboxen! My very favorite of all time! And some new-to-me books to explore here–thank you!
My pleasure!!! (Roxaboxen is the ultimate nostalgia.)
Is it strange that I don’t know of any of these books? I guess I’ve been way to obsessed with growing my cookbook collectionā¦I seriously need to venture out. I’m definitely going to check out at least a few of these, if not only for my niece! I think Roxaboxen will be my first stop! š
Some of these titles were new to me, and others were books I could not imagine a library without. Thanks for helping us all to relive an era of picture books we may have missed. In my case, I was 9+ yrs old, so these weren’t on my radar…. until becoming an elementary school teacher and, later, and teacher librarian and becoming OBSESSED with them!