With so many new books being published, it is easy to overlook stories that have been sitting on library shelves just waiting to be pulled out, so they can dazzle readers.
Today I’m featuring stories whose titles you may not have heard of, but are utterly fantastic and deserve to be shared with children.
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Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
(Ages 3 and up)
This incredible model of visual storytelling is a true delight. Gorgeous illustrations follow three siblings who scour the seas searching for a special shell to replace the one they accidentally broke. Their daring adventure is mesmerizing and the story of siblings taking ownership for their mistakes and working through their disagreements is sure to resonate with both children and adults.
What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robinson
(Ages 3 and up)
Mr. Herbert Timberteeth is conducting a concert when his singsong rhymes are interrupted by a group of obstinate animals. They refuse to sing about the stereotypical things people think they should like and instead prefer to sing about their real interests. This unique storyline initially appears to be another run-of-the-mill rhyming book, but children will be shocked when the flowing verses are interrupted. They will then delight in the surprising hobbies the animals prefer and relish in the four-page fold out revealing the end of the show.
This one is a real showstopper!
Shh We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
(Ages 3 and up)
Three hunters are continuously foiled while trying to capture a bird in this humorous story starring a younger sibling as the hero. With its repetitive refrain and eye-catching illustrations, this book is so much fun to read aloud.
Froodle by Antoinette Portis
(Ages 3 and up)
Little Brown Bird wants to try something new, so one day he makes up a silly word instead of his usual chirping sound that results in mixed responses from the neighborhood. One of the things that is guaranteed to make children laugh is nonsense words or sounds. My son would erupt in a fit of giggles while we read this book. I also loved that there is an underlying message of taking risks and trying new things.
Ultrabot’s First Playdate by Josh Schneider
(Ages 4 and up)
When a giant kid-like robot is told his neighbor, Becky, is coming over for a playdate, he is less than thrilled. He imagines Becky as a large hairy monster resembling Chewbacca from Star Wars. When the small, blonde haired child arrives, however, Ultrabot discovers that they have a lot to learn from each other and that having a new friend can be fun.
Ultrabot’s feelings of nervousness are sure to resonate with many children and the comical illustrations feature several droll details that will make both adults and children chuckle. This is a clever, amusing spin on playdates that also has a lot of heart!
The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen
(Ages 4 and up)
Awe-inspiring artwork displays a group of fifteen circus animals who are shipwrecked on a small island off the coast of Maine. At first, the townspeople see the animals as a nuisance, but after a daring rescue, they grow to love them. In a heartwarming ending, the town bands together to protect the animals from the cruel circus manager.
The upbeat rhymes are a joy to read aloud and the detailed illustrations could not be more engaging. My children and I particularly love pouring over the stunning two-page spread of the animals hiding in plain sight from the circus manager. This has become one of our all-time favorite read alouds!
The Great Lollipop Caper by Dan Krall
(Ages 4 and up)
Children may have never heard of a caper, that tiny pickled, bitter green thing that lives in a jar, and that is exactly why Mr. Caper is angry. Mr. Caper is jealous that children all over the world love lollipops, but won’t even try capers. He devises an evil plan to make lollipops taste like capers so that he will be loved instead.
This quirky, unique story is absolutely hilarious and one of my go-to read alouds for children. I love reading the characters’ different voices as much as my children love listening to it. This is a great choice for kids who love silly stories.
Sparky by Jenny Offill; illustrated by Chris Appelhans
When a girl’s mother says the only pet she can get is one that doesn’t need to be walked, bathed, or fed, she adopts a sloth with comical results. This sweet story about finding the perfect pet will absolutely steal your heart!
The Night Gardener, The Fan Brothers
Grimloch Lane appears to be a bleak and sad place until a stranger inspires magic and hope through the creation of beautiful topiaries resembling animals. Each night a new one is constructed leaving the townspeople in awe. A young boy soon discovers the mysterious night gardener and spends an enchanting evening aiding him in his creations. Filled with rich details, the illustrations in this book are simply stunning and the poignant plot is mesmerizing.
Archie the Daredevil Penguin by Andy Rash
(Ages 4 and up)
This humorous tale of overcoming one’s fear is perfect for budding inventors or anyone who enjoys a comical offbeat story!
The other penguins think Archie and his inventions are quite daring, but they don’t know his terrible secret that he is afraid of the water and the strange creatures who lurk in the briny deep. When he comes face to face with his fear, however, he discovers a new favorite pastime.
Readers can’t help but be drawn into the colorful artwork and amusing dialogue of this hilarious story!
Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep by Anthony Pearson ; illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris,
(Ages 4 – 8)
With its humorous storyline and theme of teamwork, you are not going to miss this amusing fractured fairytale.
Meet Eduardo Guardardo, who is currently training for the FBI (The Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations). He is on his way to becoming one elite sheep, but before he reaches his lofty goals, he has to solve his first case where he goes undercover as Mary’s little lamb. While Eduardo is quite talented, he learns an important lesson that teamwork makes all of us stronger, faster, and smarter.
My children could not get enough of this hilarious story. They loved seeing their favorite nursery rhyme and fairytale characters in new roles in this creative spin on classic tales.
The King of Little Things by Bill Lepp, illustrated by David T. Wenzel
(Ages 4 and up)
The selfish King Normous wants to take over every kingdom in the land, but surprisingly, it is only the King of Little Things who can stop the mighty monarch. Filled with beautifully detailed illustrations, this unique fairy tale is an entertaining lesson that bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Whoops! by Suzi Moore; illustrated by Russell Ayto
(Ages 3 and up)
When a confused cat, dog, and mouse consult a witch to help them find their voices, her spells go awry with funny results. Filled with rolling rhymes and onomatopoeia, this sensational story is a delight to read aloud.
King Hugo’s Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
(Ages 4 and up)
You cannot go wrong with a Chris Van Dusen book and this one is an absolute delight! King Hugo overcompensates his tiny stature with a a giant case of self-importance. When he is cursed by a sorceress, his head grows larger and larger every time he boasts about his greatness. The detailed illustrations capturing Hugo’s giant head are absolutely hilarious making this lesson in humility a terrific read aloud.
The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino
(Ages 4 and up)
Tina is an imaginative cow who believes the sky is the limit. Her three sisters, however, think her ideas are impossible and not worth pursuing. When Tina leaves a note stating that she is going on an adventure with a dragon, her closed-minded sisters follow her to bring her home. Instead, they discover a world of opportunities and learn to think more freely. This quirky story is such an entertaining tale and leaves children feeling inspired to follow their own passions.
Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman
This book is as fun to read aloud as it is to listen to. A group of enthusiastic chickens appear on each page to solve a crisis on their farm. Ranging from making dinner to getting cows out of a tree, there is no emergency too big for these impressive chickens. Each two-page spread presents a different disaster on each day helping to reinforce days of the week to young children.
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SPARKY! sparked my <3 for sloth stories!
Great picks!
The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino is a true winner! There is so much in it to talk about! Also, thanks for pointing us to Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman. I’m very much looking forward to it!