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24 Children’s Book Tattoos That Will Make You Nostalgic

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Abby Hargreaves

Staff Writer

Abby Hargreaves is a New Hampshire native living and working as a Children’s Librarian in Washington, D.C. She fulfills the gamut of the librarian stereotype with a love of cats, coffee, and crocheting (and likes a good run of alliteration). Her MLIS degree enjoys the company of a BA in English from Hollins University, making Abby an advocate of women's universities. Her favorite color is yellow.

While I’m not someone who has or wants a tattoo herself, I deeply admire the art that decorates my friends and folks I see out in the world. I like that art even more when it’s bookish. There are so many examples of awesome literary tattoos, but I thought I’d go ahead and add some more. Below, I’ve collected a number of ink pieces that speak to childhood and nostalgia with children’s book tattoos. Whether you’re a big fan of Clifford the Big Red Dog or see yourself as more of a Winnie-the-Pooh kind of person, there’s something for everyone in these works of art.

An adorable, sketchy, baby-like Pooh of Winnie-the-Pooh!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OD7oFnXa9/

I love this stunning, minimal line art of Anne of Green Gables’s Anne Shirley.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B78q63Zjg5S/

Take a page out of Goodnight Moon for some bedtime-inspired ink.

https://www.instagram.com/p/lsd6guiw3u/

Then there’s this elaborate homage to Where the Wild Things Are.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Hzfr6JnNy/

Sometimes, all you need is a quiet and subtle nod to Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B87iZCAhScd/

Coraline: Mixing kids and creepy since 2002.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mq5ugFCjs/

Only real fans of A Wrinkle in Time will get this reference.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgq6FU6F54N/

The great thing about this Matilda tattoo is how it lays out on so many dimensions a love of books.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Hp7u9loGd/

This artist described this Velveteen Rabbit tattoo as “nostalgic.” I have to agree!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPWW04mgzwR/

What better way to celebrate how it traumatized you than with a tattoo of The Giving Tree?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BucbpJKHYml/

This fan immortalized their love of Charlotte’s Web.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Buo4cnpBiIa/

This whimsical Little Bear tattoo is a nice, subtle nod to the popular series.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BteXompnHVr/

If you loved Stellaluna, this ink might have you itching for some of your own.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BItdGHMhXuF/

You can always start off on the right foot with a Madeline tattoo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B43pZ5kHI02/

Who doesn’t love the dynamic duo from Frog and Toad?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Ra4BNp2JY/

You would always be ready for an adventure with a Paddington tattoo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4FDOWan88H/

Amelia Bedelia: literally the best tattoo idea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjmLSz5A-Z5/

Arthur will always be a tattoo classic in my book.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLB1gFniPr/

This Pete the Cat tattoo is so groovy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B64SvMZl6UU/

A truly adorable homage to Peter Rabbit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By2VyjxFhW4/

Forget the mouse in your pocket—how about the mouse of Stuart Little on your ankle?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0c4tyUHnVw/

Be always on the go with Lowly Worm of Richard Scarry’s Busy World.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjf563wh95X/

Clifford of Clifford the Big Red Dog is one sly dog and the king of children’s book tattoos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwteMNgg9T5/

Good grief! With Charlie Brown, we come to our end.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5n9v3zBYui/


What children’s book tattoos do you have or wish you had? Share your pictures with us on Twitter!