5 Nostalgic Children's Books '90s Kids Will Remember (And That Are Still Worth Reading Today)
Growing up, some of my favourite memories are curling up with a good book. The stories I read as a kid in the '90s – from The Paper Bag Princess to Zoom at Sea – weren’t just entertaining; they taught me about bravery, friendship, and seeing the world in new ways.
In this post, I’ll take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of these Canadian classics and explore why they still mean so much to me. Whether you remember these books or are discovering them for the first time, I hope you’ll enjoy this nostalgic journey!
Here are 5 Nostalgic Children's Books '90s Kids Will Remember (And That Are Still Worth Reading Today).
Emma’s Eggs by Margriet Ruurs and Barbara Spurll
Emma was one confused chicken.
“Tok!” she said, when she peeked through the window and saw what was happening to her eggs. “Is that how they want my eggs? Then that's how I'll make them.”
But when Emma scrambled her next egg, no one was pleased. She tried again, and again, until finally she'd had enough. If they didn't want her eggs, she wouldn't give them any!
Rereading Emma's Eggs as an adult, I'm flooded with memories of its silliness and the delight I felt seeing Emma's oddly shaped eggs for the first time. When I first read it, I found it hilarious and could relate to Emma's creativity and determination to be unique. Now, I see Emma's story differently, recognizing how children often strive to make their mark in unexpected ways. I also appreciate how it gently encourages children to embrace individuality, just as Emma does.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and Micheal Martchenko
When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth's castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands. With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth all that trouble?
— Calgary Public Library
Coming back to The Paper Bag Princess brings a whole new layer of admiration for Elizabeth, the unconventional heroine. I remember cheering when she outsmarted the dragon and chose her own path rather than ending up with someone who didn't respect her. Now, I see the empowering message more deeply, realizing how this story helped shape my views on independence and self-worth. I hope that when reading this with your children, they'll take away the same confidence and sense of adventure that Elizabeth inspired in me.
The Paper Bag Princess is available at the Calgary Public Library for borrowing.
The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman
Balloons! They are the favourite playthings of Princess Leora. When her father, the king, goes to a neighbouring kingdom to participate in a tournament, he tells Leora to signal him with balloons if anything goes wrong. But the archduke, planning to take over the kingdom, promptly locks the princess in her room and orders all the balloons in the kingdom to be popped.
With the help of a wizard and a boy with the only balloon left in the kingdom, Leora is able to plant a balloon tree that blossoms into thousands of balloons. But will it be in time to save the kingdom.
— Scholastic Canada
The whimsy and magic of The Balloon Tree stayed with me for years, especially its beautiful illustrations and the fairy-tale feel of Princess Leora's journey. These days, I discover new layers in the story's themes of courage and hope. As a child, I was enchanted by Leora's resilience; as an adult, I'm moved by her determination to save her kingdom against all odds. It's a wonderful story about the importance of bravery and imagination.
Zoom at Sea by Tim Wynne-Jones and Eric Beddows
One day Zoom finds in his Uncle Roy's diary a map of the sea and how to get there, which leads him to the huge house of the beautiful Maria. When, with the turn of a large wheel, mysterious Maria launches him on a wonderful sea voyage, the first of Zoom's adventures begins.
— Calgary Public Library
The fantasy of Zoom’s adventure, as he sets out to “sail the seven seas,” captured my imagination instantly. The illustrations had a dreamlike quality that made me feel as though I were right there with Zoom. Returning to this book now, I’m struck by how it taps into the universal longing for adventure—this desire to explore beyond the familiar. When reading Zoom with your children, I hope they experience that same thrill and are reminded of the magic in daring to dream big.
Zoom at Sea is available at the Calgary Public Library.
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
Shade is a young silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with an unusual gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends, and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.
— Calgary Public Library
Silverwing was my first taste of a more epic adventure, a story that introduced me to themes of courage, loyalty, and survival. I was captivated by the bat world Oppel created—it was dark, thrilling, and completely absorbing. Revisiting it now, I’m struck by the depth of the story's exploration of fear and bravery, as well as Shade’s journey to find his place in the world. It's an incredible experience to read Silverwing for the first time and connect with its powerful themes.
Pick it up from the Calgary Public Library.
Each of these books takes on new meaning over time, evolving from childhood favorites into stories that carry timeless life lessons. Rereading them as an adult feels like revisiting old friends—uncovering new layers of meaning while reliving the wonder and magic of childhood.
About the author: Mercedes Chatbot is a Practicum Student working with the Further Education Society of Alberta for her Fall 2024 schooling.
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