Nostalgic stories for parents and kids

Parents and children bond in many ways, such as when adults pass on their favorite childhood cartoons to their children. But the opposite can also be true. These four child-friendly books will teach children about adult interests and topics, such as Seinfeld, The Office, Ernest Hemingway, and the Warring States period in Japan.

Seinfeld: The Day of Nothing written by Micol Ostow and illustrated by Brittany Baugus

Seinfeld: The Day of Nothing is definitely a story about something. The story starts with Jerry having planned a typical laid-back day of hanging out with his friends George, Kramer, and Elaine. Jerry’s parents don’t like Jerry’s plans, as they don’t see any value in a day of doing nothing. Neither does Elaine. Elaine takes Jerry, George, Kramer, and Newman to see her friend Carol’s baby brother. Seinfeld fans who pick this book up for their child will go on a trip down memory lane and will find a treasure chest of Seinfeld references such as a puffy shirt, chocolate babka, and double-dipping.

The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary written by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Melanie Demmer

Another book that supplies nostalgia is The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary. This picture book adaptation of The Office is set at Dunder Mifflin Elementary. Michael has been chosen by Principal Wallace and Ms. Levinson to be the class Line Leader. This newfound fame inspires Michael to go overboard with grand plans, and his classmates believe he steps out of line when he immediately wants to lead his class into a big party. Will Michael be a successful Line Leader, or will his plans be dismissed? Read The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary to find out!

Walt Disney’s Mickey and Donald “For Whom The Doorbell Tolls” and Other Tales Inspired by Hemingway

Two of America’s most popular cultural icons Ernest Hemingway and Mickey Mouse come together in this collection by the comic book publisher Fantagraphics. This translated project originally comes from Topolino, which is Disney Italy’s flagship comic book. In this collection, Fantagraphics compiles the adventures of Mickey and his friends. These adventures are inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s most famous works, including “The Undefeated,” “The Killers,” “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” and The Old Man and the Sea. The comic collection even includes an encounter between a cartoon version of Ernest Hemingway and Mickey Mouse in For Whom The Doorbell Tolls, where Ernest teaches Mickey a life lesson on the importance of travel.

Disney Manga: Stitch and the Samurai: The Complete Collection by Hiroto Wada

This manga is set in the Warring States period in medieval Japan, when a state of constant war embroiled the country. Hiroto Wada uses the cartoon alien Stitch from Lilo & Stitch to give children an age-appropriate message on the viciousness of war and the ideal of compassionate leadership. Wada's manga starts with Stitch crash-landing his spaceship into medieval Japan, where Stitch encounters a warlord named Meison Yamato. Lord Yamato wants to kill Stitch, but he has a change of heart and thinks that Stitch is a cute raccoon. While the homesick Stitch wants to return home. Will Lord Yamato stitch together Stitch's true identity? Will Stitch be able to his fix his spaceship or medieval Japan's brutality? Read Disney Manga: Stitch and the Samurai: The Complete Collection by Hiroto Wada to find out!