Children's

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!

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

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2 weeks with my #anneofgreengablestattoo and 4 weeks since season 3 premiere of #annewithane ! When I was little my mum had an idea that I should be reading all the books about Anne and although I hated them 17years ago, I watch adaptations whenever they were playing them. But this one #awae is something really special! It showed me that even tho this story is old, it’s still relevant! Topics that @netflix and @cbc_television added to this adaptation are really worth your attention! And although they sad there will be no season 4 I still believe that with all that @awae_fanprojects is doing and with me rewatching it for the 3rd time this month, we can do this and they will #renewannewithane ! I’m so happy I decided to have this one with me now! Thank you @hanabanaanaa for this beauty! I think Anne played by @amybethmcnulty is really well portrayed here 🌸 #saveannewithane #annewithane #annewithanetattoo #anneofgreengables #tattoo #tattoos #tattooedgirl #book #imagination #flowertattoo #rocket #rockettattoo #polishgirl #renewannewithaneseason4 #renewawae #warsaw #poland #awae #netflixsaveannewithane #disneysaveanne #netflixsaveanne #girltattoo

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

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#GoodnightMoontattoo

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

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

Coraline: Mixing kids and creepy since 2002.

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

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

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

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

This fan immortalized their love of Charlotte’s Web.

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

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

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🌙 Stella Luna ✨

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

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

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Fog and Toad, from Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s books. Arnold described these two friends as two sides of himself. (They have also been attributed as the beginning of his coming out) Frog and Toad have lasted through the decades by having a ‘real’ and sometimes tumultuous relationship, told simply through humorous stories. I love these guys and I was super happy I got to tattoo them❤️ thanks @hollisish • • • • • • • • • #frogandtoad #frog #toad #frogandtoadillustration #illustration #childrenscharacters #characters #kidsbooks #bicycly #frogandtoadarefriends #frogandtoadtattoo #frogtattoo #toadtattoo #bicycle #lgbtqcharacters #lgbtcharacters #lgbt #churchandwellesley #torontovillage #bicycletattoo #bicycleinmlustration #oldillustration #bookillustration #bookillustrations #torontotattooartist #gayicon

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

Amelia Bedelia: literally the best tattoo idea.

Arthur will always be a tattoo classic in my book.

This Pete the Cat tattoo is so groovy.

A truly adorable homage to Peter Rabbit.

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Do you remember how super cute this Peter Rabbit tattoo was by Katie?! 🐇 __________________________________________________ |M A R K E D O N E| TATTOOSTUDIO For bookings get in touch: www.markedonetattoo.com Email – bookmein@markedonetattoo.com Facebook – marked one tattoo Instagram – @markedonetattoo Phone – 01785 598 753 ————————————– #tattoo #tattoos #tattooing #tattooist #tattooartist #colourtattoo #canon #canonphotography #totd #juniorartist #uk #tattoolife #apprentice #apprenticerates #tattooculture #uktattoo #tattoolover #colour #colourtattoos #ladytattooer #independentstafford #staffordtattoo #stafford #markedonetattoo #peterrabbit #peterrabbittattoo #thightattoos #beatrixpotterworld #beatrixpotter #beatrixpotterbooks

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

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

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

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

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