90s Book Nostalgia

There are many, many books on my children's shelves that I remember reading when I was a kid. All of them were donated to us over the years from families who had outgrown them. Sadly, some of them are in really rough shape because they have been loved so often! But isn't that a beautiful thing: a book that has been read so many times it's falling apart. That's what I want for my kids: a joy and love for reading and books. Because reading is thinking and learning; reading is imagination and creativity; reading is the possible and impossible; reading is feeling; reading is inspiration or new perspectives... it's endless opportunities. Can you tell I like books?

Immigrating to Canada as a young girl, I remember the books that helped me learn to read and speak in a brand new language! Some of my picture book favourites were Franklin the Turtle, Mercer Mayer books, the Berenstain Bears, and Amelia Bedelia. We found Amelia so funny that our ESL teacher had us make up a little play inspired by her silly antics - and it was a great way for us to learn all about North American expressions, like: "It's raining cats and dogs".

Of course I remember Scholastic Book Fairs and book orders, which are still prevalent in Canada today, and one of my absolute favourite picture books ever was purchased from the latter, entitled, "Cinderella Penguin" by Janet Perlman. I tried finding it for purchase, but they don't even print them anymore! It was such a great book, I loved it. Of course I no longer have it, but maybe someone out there does...

As I got into novels, there are some absolute favourites there too - maybe you remember some of these (and some of them are still being written today in various versions): Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Goosebumps, Stephanie and Michelle books (a la Full House), Wayside School is Falling Down, and the Babysitter's Club.

My love for reading definitely took a backseat in middle and high school, but it came back in full force in my adult years, and now that I have my own children, I get to re-experience that joy for those childhood books all over again. And what's more, visiting our local library there are even more opportunities to rediscover old favourites and remember that feeling of "curling up with a good book".

Do you recognize some of the titles that I listed? What were your favourite picture books, early novels, or middle grade novels when you were growing up? Did you have a favourite spot to sit and read them?

In love and literature,

Nadine