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What Do We Do All Day

Books and Activities for Kids

20th Century Classic Children's Books

20th century classic children's books

One of the most wonderful things a parent can do is read aloud a favorite book from their own childhood.

Here you will find classic book lists for every decade of the 20th century, from The Wizard of Oz in 1901 to The Watsons Go to Birmingham in the 1990s.

These classic book lists are filled with must read chapter books to share with your kids. There are plenty of lesser known titles, as well as popular books so you are sure to find something new in addition to well-loved favorites.

For more classic books see our general classic books archive, or visit our index of over 100 book lists for kids.

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1990s

June 1, 2018

Children's books from the 1990s. New classics!

Making this list of classic 1990s children’s books was an unusual exercise for me because it is the first list in my classic book series in which there is not a single book that I read when I was a kid. In fact, all of these books I read after the age of 30. However, the…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 14 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1980s

May 31, 2018

1980s books for kids

Raise your hand if you grew up reading children’s books from the 1980s! The 1980s were like a totally awesome decade, dude. I’m really happy with this list of 20th century classic children’s books from the 1980s even though using the term “classic” is becoming more and more suspect as we close in on the…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 18 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1970s

May 30, 2018

Classic children's books from the 1970s

Compiling a list of classic children’s books from the 1970s was unexpectedly challenging! Most of the books I had previously read from this decade were already quite popular so I had to do a fair bit of research to decide which 1970s titles to read so I could determine what I wanted to include. I…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 32 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1960s

May 29, 2018

children's classic books from the 1960s

I love sharing my favorite under-the-radar classic children’s literature and these classic books from the 1960s is my latest book list in my series of the best books of the 20th century. I found a lot of 1960s books to choose from so I picks books from different genres and threw in some British, and…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 35 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1950s

May 27, 2018

These classic 1950s books will lead us into the second half of the twentieth century. Some of the 1950s children’s chapter books on this list were favorite read alouds in our house and I’ve included a variety of genres, from fantasy to humor and realistic fiction. Also on the list, I have books from both American…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 36 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1940s

May 26, 2018

1940s classic children's books that fly under the radar

I found some wonderful classic children’s books from the 1940s that kids and parents can still enjoy today. Let’s take a look at a few, shall we? If you have been following my 20th century classic children’s books by the decades lists (I love you.) then you know I have been bumping off the big…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 43 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1930s

May 25, 2018

1930s classic books for children

This book list of classic children’s books from the 1930s includes a variety of genres. I’ve included realistic fiction, some historical fantasy, a bit of whimsy and more serious selections, even a more philosophical novel. Some of these 1930s books are particularly well-suited for read alouds. If you’ve been following my series, Classic Children’s Books…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 41 Comments

Classic Children’s Books By The Decade: 1920s

May 24, 2018

Children's books from the 1920s

For my next book list in the Classic Children’s Books series we are headed into the Roaring Twenties! I love this collection of children’s books from the 1920s and I think you may even find some books that are new to you! As with my previous classic book posts, this list is not meant to…
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by: Erica posted in: Books 34 Comments

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