Have you ever thought, “I want to reread the books I was obsessed with as a child!”? The stories you borrowed from the school library and the picture books you flipped through until they were worn out—books you encountered in your early childhood and elementary school years—are filled with special memories.
In this article, we’ll pick out and introduce nostalgic children’s books and classics that you’ll want to revisit now that you’re an adult.
Even elementary schoolers might find them just a little nostalgic, too.
Open the pages, and you’re sure to remember the excitement you felt back then! Take your time and have a leisurely look.
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That classic we borrowed from the library, too! Nostalgic books that both adults and elementary school kids can enjoy together (1–10)
Guri and GuraNEW!Rieko Nakagawa
The Guri and Gura series consists of seven books, including Guri and Gura, Guri and Gura’s Picnic, and Guri and Gura’s Visitor, and is popular not only in Japan but around the world.
The protagonists are Guri and Gura, two friendly field mice.
They love cooking and eating.
Many different dishes appear in the stories, and the way they scamper through the fields and hills is utterly charming.
There are also books tied to seasonal events like Christmas and spring cleaning, so please enjoy them together as a family.
The Adventure in the ClosetNEW!Furuta Taruhi / Tabata Seiichi
Satoshi and Akira, who got into a fight over a toy, were scolded by their teacher and put into the closet.
What spread out before them there was a nighttime city…
and that’s where they met the eerie Old Mouse Lady.
Holding each other’s hands tightly, the two set off on an adventurous journey—come share in the excitement with them.
Being shut in a closet would be considered abuse today, but this picture book also portrays the struggles of adults grappling with discipline.
It’s a work that invites deep thought precisely because it’s read by parents and children together.
Please also enjoy the striking pencil-drawn illustrations.
Aesop’s FablesNEW!Aesop / Yoko Imoto
Aesop’s Tales contains 15 stories, including classics everyone knows like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and “The North Wind and the Sun.” Each story is fun and entertaining, but they’re also full of wisdom and lessons that are useful in life.
Since every piece is short, they’re perfect for reading aloud before bedtime.
Many of the tales will feel nostalgic to adults as well, so you can enjoy them together.
Be sure to pay attention to the charming illustrations and the maxims as you read.
The Little PrinceNEW!Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a story that captivates readers from children to adults after just one read, and it is one of the most beloved works in the world.
As the characters—the pilot who gave up being a painter, the Little Prince, the fox friend, and others—exchange words, they come to realize the meaning of life and many important truths.
Famous lines such as “All grown-ups were once children” and “What is essential is invisible to the eye” are well known.
When you finish reading, you will likely feel a touch of loneliness along with an irreplaceable bond.
Miffy picture book set for ages 3 and upNEW!Dick Bruna
The four-volume series “Usako-chan for Ages 3 and Up” tells stories of the adorable Usako-chan in her red dress, going to school to study and staying over at a friend’s house.
The content may still be a bit advanced for three-year-olds, but this picture book might spark a sense of aspiration.
It arrived in Japan in 1964, and many adults likely remember reading it as children.
As you can see, Usako-chan is actually Miffy.
This is one of the differences that arises in translation around the world, and the change in name might cause a bit of confusion.
Moomin Complete Fairy TalesNEW!Tove Jansson
The Moomin Fairy Tale Complete Works is a collection depicting the world of the ever-popular character Moomin.
It’s a set of stories you’ll want to read while sensing both the charming residents of Moominvalley and the richness of Nordic nature.
The memorable lines that appear throughout are well known, and many of the quotes—truths about life—will give even adults much to ponder.
The Moomin worldview, which naturally embraces diversity, is a perfect fit for the modern era.
Please enjoy these tales where gentle everyday life and adventure are artfully blended.
Andersen’s Fairy TalesNEW!Hans Christian Andersen
This is a collection of works by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, often called the king of fairy tales.
His famous masterpieces—The Little Mermaid, The Little Match Girl, and The Emperor’s New Clothes—are likely stories everyone has read at least once.
This collection was published in three volumes, with illustrations accompanying every tale.
The artwork was created by the husband-and-wife duo Dušan Kállay, recipients of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, who devoted four years to the project.
Please enjoy reading the stories along with the beautiful illustrations.