12 Kids Books Grown Ups Love Too
It’s time to get their brains in gear and their imaginations lit. What’s better than a good book to do just that? Start with our list of 12 kids books grown ups love too and maybe you’ll both be inspired to read a little more …
12 Kids Books Grown Ups Love Too
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
This vibrant and imaginative children’s story about colours and resolving conflicts follows young Duncan as he opens up his crayon box one day only to find that the colours have quit due to a variety of hilarious, colour-specific grievances. Red is overworked, beige is tired of playing second fiddle to brown, etc.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
Night Light by Nicholas Blechman
An appealingly illustrated counting book that uses dark and light to keep kids guessing what object is creating the effect (street lights, train lights and more). They’ll enjoy uncovering the source of each light pattern while learning (or showing off) their early math skills at story time.
Recommended Ages: 2 and up
That’s a Possibility! by Bruce Goldstone
A perfect example of an educational-yet-still-totally-entertaining read for kids. Goldstone’s book is all about the idea of something being probable, possible, or impossible using relatable scenarios that they (and you) will get a kick out of.
Recommended Ages: 5 and up
Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
From the popular Pete the Cat series, this story includes the concept of counting, rhyming, and not crying when things go wrong—like loosing your four ‘groovy’ buttons off of your favourite shirt. All good lessons that add up to an entertaining book.
Recommended Ages: 2.5 to 6
The Case of the Missing Donut by Alison McGhee
Younger kids might need a tiny bit of help figuring out the ‘whodunnit’ in this fun and creative book about a boy sheriff and his deputy dog tasked to bring home a dozen donuts. Along the way, one of the sweet treats goes missing—preschoolers will clamour to let you in on how they so quickly solved the mystery.
Recommended Ages: 3 to 6
Press Here by Herve Tullet
While their imaginations run wild with the words, reading a book can still be considered a passive hobby. But with this picture book, young audiences (and old) are encouraged to press, rub, shake, tilt, blow, and clap to make the dots on each page grow, move, and change. Our kind of interactive activity!
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
Unlike the story about those other monkeys who just kept jumping and falling off the bed, the primates in this original book aren’t as easily added up (or subtracted). A very funny story that will keep the kids surprised and counting with every page they turn.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller
Love, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. So when Sophie falls for an ordinary squash at the market, gives it a name and treats it like a pet, she’s shocked to find that her beloved squash begins to rot. A lovely story about patient parents, persistent kids, and finding a solution to life’s big (or not so big) problems.
Recommended Ages: 2.5 and up
 Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This simple book with little text stars a big bull that is down on every one of his ‘friends’ until he is given a second chance. A gentle way to begin the conversation about what makes a bully, kindness to others and the hurt in calling others names.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
Chamelia and the New Kid in Class by Ethan Long
Making new friends isn’t supposed to be hard, but what if they seem to upstage you at every turn? Chamelia, and the young readers who hear her story, learns an important lesson about accepting new friends and not always needing to be the centre of attention.
Recommended Ages: 4 and up
Rocket’s Mighty Words by Tad Hills
How Rocket Learned to Read and Rocket Writes a Story were bestsellers, and quintessential kids books grown ups love too. This follow-up is perfect for encouraging early readers. Follow the little yellow bird as he teaches Rocket (and your little wonder) a plethora of new words and meanings in an easy-to-understand picture book.
Recommended Ages: 2.5 to 5
Daredevil by Meghan McCarthy
Of course, we’ve all heard of Betty Skelton…right? Guess it won’t just be the kids who learn a thing or two in this entertaining, written-for-children picture book about the young aviation pioneer and daredevil who followed her own ‘flight’ plan at a time when girls weren’t always given the green light to be bold, daring, or different. A great ‘girl power’ story for any gender.
Recommended Ages: 4 and up
