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 by the Decade, you know that I try to include lesser-known titles, which is why Little House on the Prairie is not on this list. If you've never heard of Little House, I don't really know what to do. Several of these books are by British authors and it's interesting to think about how the American books were written during the Great Depression. You can certainly see its influence on the subject matter.
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1930s Children's Books
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm by Norman Hunter (1934)
I read this out loud to my son and he loved it! An English absentminded professor provides lots of entertainment and laughs with his misguided inventions like pancake-making machines and burglar-catchers. A 1930s classic that will make modern readers giggle!
Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett (1937)
Find it: Amazon
10 delightful stories about a happy, working class, poor family living in a small English town. Makes a lovely read aloud for younger children. Fans of books like The Penderwicks, The Saturdays, and All-Of-A-Kind Family will enjoy this one.
The Box of Delights by John Masefield (1935)
Find it: Amazon
Kay Harkin meets a strange man on a train. The man gives him a mysterious, magical box which has the ability to shrink people, allow them to time travel and even make them fly. Kay and his friends must protect the box from the villains who want to do away with Christmas. Be sure to get an unabridged version like this one from New York Children's Book Review. A delightful adventure.
Bright Island by Mable L. Robinson. (1937)
Find it: Amazon
Thankful is a girl who loves the sea. However, her parents send her away to school on the mainland so she can learn "what a girl is good for." The beautiful writing details Thankful's experience at the school, her attachment to boating and the coast of Maine. It is a lovely coming of age story and is perfect for fans of books like Anne of Green Gables.
The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth (1930)
In Japan tradition says that cats are to be denied Buddha's blessing for rejecting his teachings. But a poor artist makes friends with a patient cat and against the warnings of the priests paints him into a portrait of Buddha. There are lovely illustrations and the story includes details about Buddha's life. This Newbery recipient is a wonderful story about compassion and goodness.
Wee Gillis by Munro Leaf (1938)
This is a long picture book, rather than a novel and was thankfully brought back into print by the good folks at NYRB. The author wrote another famous book, The Story of Ferdinand, but this one about a young bagpiper caught between highland and lowland Scottish cultures is graced with a silver Caldecott.
Swallows and Amazons (series) by Arthur Ransome (1930)
Be prepared to Google a lot of boating terms when you begin to read this book with your kids! However, once you get over the hump you will no doubt love this English classic about a group of siblings who set out on an independent camping adventure.
The Good Master by Kate Seredy (1935)
Find it: Amazon
Jancsi expects his city cousin, Kate, to be a delicate flower but when she arrives at his family's farm he finds the headstrong girl anything but demure. Set in rural Hungary, this novel will satisfy those of you who think all the best life lessons happen in a rural setting.
Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (1938)
A lovely classic book from the 1930s about a strong, independent girl. Nine year old Garnet's family farm has been suffering from lack of rain but when she finds a silver thimble and the rains come, Garnet's wonderful summer begins. Enright's writing is superb and the descriptions of Garnet's everyday farm life are enchanting. It's also a great book for readers who love Little House on the Prairie.
The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White. (1938)
Enchantments, magic and adventure abound in this tale in which Merlyn tutors the young Arthur before he was king. A certain band of Merry Men make an extended cameo, which makes it a great book for kids who love King Arthur, and a great read for kids who love Robin Hood.
Visit my other posts in this series:
Raising a Happy Child says
Interesting - I've never heard of any of the titles in your 30s batch! Thanks for sharing!
Diane Estrella says
I haven't read any... hanging head in shame....
So glad to meet you at KidLitCon this weekend! :O)
Momand Kiddo says
But that's why I make the lists! To introduce people to the books. 🙂
Stacey says
What an interesting list. I haven't read any either. I've have read other work by Elizabeth Enright though and loved her so Thimble Summer will be first on my list. Unfortunately, my nine year old daughter is not a fan of anything other than contemporary realistic fiction at the moment but perhaps this list will sway her...
Momand Kiddo says
My son tends to only read contemporary fiction, too. It's primarily when I read aloud that I can sneak in some older titles.
Leanne@VintageBooksfortheVeryYoung says
I totally forgot about Thimble Summer - read it when I was a kid!
Momand Kiddo says
It's such a lovely book.
Amy says
You've done it again! The only one I've heard of is Calico Bush!
Momand Kiddo says
So much on your to-read list, now! 🙂
Jen says
You have such a knack of picking so many of my favourite books from my childhood! I just picked up my old (much loved) copy of 'One-end street' to see if my boys were ready for it but I don't think they are yet - hopefully in a couple of years. I absolutely lived on Arthur Ransome and Elizabeth Enright for a couple of years and still love them (I actually just gave Thimble Summer as a birthday present to a classmate of my son's who is a VERY independent girl and a great reader). I also decided that I absolutely had to visit Hungary when I read The Good Master (only took me another 27 years to get there!) and The Sword in the Stone started a major childhood obsession with all things Merlin and magical. I STILL read The Box of Delights every Christmas and have the most beautiful old copy from my childhoos with lovely illustrations. I'm looking forward to checking out the others!
Momand Kiddo says
I am so impressed at how many you have read! You most certainly win the prize for the most books read on my lists!
Melissa@Julias Bookbag says
GOOD GRAVY THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! I feel like I just won the vintage kid lit book treasure lottery!!! Fantastic! How have I not been over here before? Hello!!!! Can you tell I'm a wee bit excited??
Momand Kiddo says
Your comment put a great big gigantic grin on my face. I love making these lists so much and am so excited to have provoked such a reaction. And still, there are so many decades to go!
Debbie says
I've read The Cat Who Went to Heaven, Swallows and Amazons, and Incredible Adventures of Professor Brainstawm. Nice list!
Momand Kiddo says
Thanks, Debbie!
financial information says
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge on the topic of unpredicted emotions.
Margaret S. Harman says
I am looking for a book that I enjoyed as a child. I was born in 1936. I think the title was Geraldine Belinda Marabell Scott or variations of. It was the story of a proud little girl that bought some "goodies" that the store owner wrapped in a paper cone. On the way home she lost all of her goodies from the bottom of the cone because she was so proud. I read this about 70 years ago! It was illustrated and I can see the pictures. Can you help me?
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm so sorry Margaret, it doesn't sound familiar!
Tony says
Maybe Geraldine Belinda By Margueurite Henry.
Jennifer says
I'm looking for the same book!
Rick says
I just ran across your site while looking for a book I received as a gift when I was about 8 in 1954. It concerned children with their parents in Egypt who fall through a bush into the Egypt of the past.
Are you familiar with such a story? If you could help I would greatly appreciate it.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm sorry, that doesn't ring a bell. I hope you find it!
Barbara Scott says
When I was a girl in the early '50s, I was given one of my Mum's old picture books. She was born in 1925. Neither of us can remember the author, or whether it was English or Australian. It was called 'The Magic Pebble' - was in verse, with lovely illustrations.
'.........he found a magic pebble where a pebble shouldn't be
So he put it on the windowsill for everyone to see '
'When you are drowsy drowsy dee, it's time for tea it's time for tea.
When you have dreams inside your head, it's time for bed it's time for bed'.
There is another book with a similar title 'Sylvester & the magic pebble' published in 1970 -unrelated. Do you have any inkling of it ?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Hi Barbara, I'm sorry but that doesn't ring a bell. I hope you find it!
Kate Wilson says
I believe you are thinking of “The Magic Pudding” by Norman Lindsay (1918). It was republished in 2004 as part of the New York Review Children’s Collection.
miriam beth carter says
i am looking for a book for an older man. he is a family friend. H says this book started him to be really interested in reading. It was a reader in 1952-53 thinks the name was( run away home) it was about a family that took off to visit around country, the dad was an artist and they left Maine thru tenn. ended up in Washington. on the cover was a two wheel travel trailer or camper picture he was in sixth grade when he read it. He has me looking for it, no luck so far?!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Unfortunately, that doesn't sound familiar to me.
Monique says
this is Runaway Home by Mabel O'Donnell
Heather Tribe says
Runaway Home (The Alice and Jerry Books)
by Elizabeth Coatsworth
norma moskowitz says
I'm looking for a book that was given to me in 1942, or 1943. It was a Big book with a hard cover and had many poems and stories that taught a lesson or were amusing . It may have been printed in the UK.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm sorry, that does not sound familiar. Good luck with your search.
Yvonne Partridge says
Hi, I am looking for a book about Amanda who lived in the jungle she was always helping animals that were in trouble. She was awarded with a beautiful bow on her head and a shiny bell on her toe. It has lovely pictures, I was given the book when I was about 6yrs old around 1943.
Would love to find it.
Thomas Witcher says
In the 1950's I attended an American school in England, and there were a series of books in their library concerning a family who climbed a tree in he back yard and ended up in another world. have racked my brain trying to think of the title but no luck. Does it sound familiar? By the way, I've found several I did read on your list and had long forgotten. Thanks.
Tony says
Could It Be The Far Away Tree.?.
Rhodena King says
I have read 90a5 of the books. Where are all of the Noel streatfied books? They were my favourites as a child and still are.
Barbara Pelletier says
I'm looking for a book about a mother and her children. Their coin purse is lost so they don't have money for food or gas, so they plant seeds and don't use the car. Later, they discover that birds have made a nest in the coin purse in their car where they lost it. 1930s or 1940s. Similar to Golden Books, I think. Thank you.
Johanne Hebert says
I heartily recommend Floating Island by Anne Parrish (1930) about the adventures of a doll family who land on a tropical island when the boat carrying them goes down at sea. Lovely story with pictures drawn by the author. I still have my much-read childhood copy; my children loved it too, and my little granddaughter will be the next reader in the family. I also second the comment about the Noel Streatfeild books, loved them all, especially the ballet ones.
Erica says
Thank you for the recommendation!
Doreen Greenshields says
I remember a much loved book I read as a child which I believe was called "Tiny Town". It was about all the insect life in the garden as if a child was made small enough to visit it. I recall the final line made me feel sad,"for Fancy will never grow old in the hearts of those who love her" would love to read it again.
Megan Edmunds says
So glad to have found this site. I read every Swallows and Amazons book there was (I think).. I was very lucky to have a grandmother who was a children's librarian, so got lots of books from before my time.
I'm trying to find the name.of a picture book that would have been from the thirties or earlier; all I remember is a vivid lithograph-style picture of someone dying hanks of yarn in indigo die in a pot over an open fire. Does this image ring a bell for anyone?
Kate Wilson says
“Pelle’s New Suit” by Elsa Beskow?
bobbi says
My whole family were book/reading lovers. My husband's family weren't, but, he claims he was read a wonderful book called "Buzz The Bee". He says it was written in the 40's, but, it may be the 30's. He wants to read it to our great grandsons. I hope he's not disappointed if he does get to read it to them.
Rachel Hall says
Hi, my 94 year old mum was reminiscing about her school days and said she remembers reading a book which was a collection of short stories, one of which was called "The littlest atom". She would love to read this again but she can't remember any other details. She was at secondary school when she read it so it would have been in print in the late 1930's.
Anyone any ideas. I would love to be able to get it for her. Thanks with my fingers crossed!
Gerry says
I have strong images from 75 years ago :- bonnie babes with ruddy cheeks would climb a grassy hill. At the top was a wooden fence with a dark wood beyond and Something bad happened to the babes beyond that fence. Other characters were furry rabbits with baby faces and a wizened witch in a long flowing brown cape and tall hat. I must excise this memory by finding the book. Can anyone help ?