15 of the Best Kids Books You Might Not Own
My cousin is a preschool teacher, so we rely pretty heavily on his recommendations for books to read. He’s never steered us wrong, and thanks to his suggestions, and other titles that we’ve stumbled upon, we have a pretty awesome collection of books for the kids.
While we certainly have the old standbys, like Goodnight Moon and A Light in the Attic, I’ve found that, unlike movies, some of my favorite children’s books are not considered “classics.”
These titles might not be on any best seller lists, but they are loved in our family and amongst our friends. Check them out and then be sure to add some of them, or all of them, of them to your book collection.
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One
This is, without a doubt, my favorite book for kids. It is simply written and illustrated, but delivers a powerful message. Using colors as characters, Kathryn Otoshi shows kids that it only takes one person to stand up to a bully.
Buy it on Amazon -
Zero
Written by the same author as "One," this book uses numbers to teach kids to be comfortable in their bodies, whatever their shape. An important lesson to learn early in life.
Buy it on Amazon -
City Dog, Country Frog
A beautifully illustrated book, "City Dog, Country Frog" tells the touching tale of two unlikely friends. Their friendship stands the test of time and separation, and is joyously celebrated every Season. When country frog misses their winter get together, country dog finds friendship with another unlikely creature.
Buy it on Amazon -
How Do Dinosaurs...
A series of books by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, these funny books teach children how to act appropriately in different situations. Going to bed, eating their food, loving their pets, saying I love you...all these topics and more are visited in different versions of the series. Using rhyme and silly situations, these books subtly remind children about good behavior.
Buy them on Amazon -
14 Cows for America
A beautifully illustrated book, "14 Cows for America" tells the true story of an African man who shares the story of 9/11 with his Masai tribe. Touched by the story and wanting to help, his tribe offers America the most generous and heartfelt thing they can, 14 of their beloved and sacred cows. This book will teach kids that caring and compassion come in many forms and can easily cross borders.
Buy it on Amazon -
How I Became a Pirate
When young Jeremy comes across an opportunity to board a pirate ship and become part of the crew, he takes it. Living a Pirate life is grand, until he starts to miss some of the comforts of home. In the end, Jeremy realizes that while adventure and excitement are fun for a while, home is where he belongs.
Buy it on Amazon -
I Stink
This vividly colored book follows a garbage truck through a day (or night, as the case may be) of work. Your kids will love to find out what goes on in the world of trash collection, and the "soup" of items collected is a fun way to reinforce the alphabet.
Buy it on Amazon -
Is There Really a Human Race?
This book by Jamie Lee Curtis has a boy questioning the human race. "When did it start? Who said, 'Ready, Set, Go'? Did it start on my birthday? I really must know." At the end, his mom tells him that trying your best and making the world a better place is what the "race" is really about.
Buy it on Amazon -
Little Pea
Poor little Pea HATES eating candy. But he has to eat all of his dinner before he can have his dessert of vegetables. This books turns the tables on candy-loving kids and they will think it's hilarious that Pea wants to eat vegetables more than candy.
Buy it on Amazon -
No, David!
David is a naughty, naughty boy whose mom tells him "NO!" all day long. But in the end, even though he misbehaves, she loves him anyway.
Buy it on Amazon -
Spoon
Suddenly, Spoon is self-conscious and jealous of fork and knife because of the exciting things that they get to do. In the end, though, spoon realizes that he has special qualities, too. He can do things that fork and knife can't, and that's pretty awesome.
Buy it on Amazon -
The Gas We Pass
A funny, giggle-inducing book about the science behind flatulence. Parents and kids will laugh as they make their way through this informative, if silly, book.
Buy it on Amazon -
Water the Farting Dog
Another book about flatulence, you ask? YES. This time, Walter the dog is about to be given away because of his constant farting. But, when what drives his owner crazy becomes the thing that saves their home from burglars, the dad realizes that, even though he may not be perfect, they love him anyway.
Buy it on Amazon -
The Lady in the Box
A touching story about children who worry about the homeless woman who lives in a box. When it becomes cold, they sneak her food and clothes and begin to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Children will learn that even small good deeds can make a difference in someone's life.
Find this one at your local library, or peruse a local bookstore, it seems to be sold out online! -
All My Friends are Dead
This hysterical book masquerades as a children's book, but is really something that parents will enjoy. Add it to your collection and break it out for your friends.
Buy it on Amazon
Now tell me, what are your favorite children’s books?
aaaaand… you just wrote out the “books” part of my daughter’s xmas wishlist! THANKS
There’s a few missing from your list…..
In time for Christmas, let’s not forget
My Penguin Osbert.
Captain Flynn and the Pirate Dinosaurs.
The Snail and the Whale (Oh, my, this story is so good)
Room on the Broom
Little Pea and Spoon are favorites here as well. Add to that, Little Hoot, Duck Rabbit, all Mo Willems books (Elephant & Piggie rule!), and Little Oink.
Spoon is one of my favorites!!
Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type (great book about negotiation)
Duck For President (good & funny intro to politics for kids)
Hug Time (about embracing the earth)
The Gift of Nothing (about enjoying company rather than commercial gifts)
Me…Jane (about little Jane Goodall growing up to work with animals)
I am going to buy all the books we don’t have for my daughter’s Christmas and birthday presents!
Also – that picture is SO CUTE.
I love that I haven’t heard of most of the books you guys are recommending. There are so many awesome kids books out there!
@heather – I know you have “One” because I gave it to you for your baby shower!
Hey Meghan! I’m sitting here with your cousin and he says that he’s got a few more suggestions. How To Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers, Clip Clop by Nicola Smee, Hurry Hurry by Eve Bunting, THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY, AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Don and Audrey Wood, Morningtown Ride by Malvina Reynolds, and that’s it for now!
<3
Oh! And PRESS HERE by Herve Tullet is awesome!
If…
Zen Ties, Zen Shorts, Three Questions by Jon J Muth
Flotsam
Math Curse and Science Verse
When I was Little
Web Files
Knots On A Countng Rope
Book! Book! Book!
Anamalia
So many wonderful kids books, so little time!
We are a huge book loving family, so I loved some of these suggestions that I hadn’t heard of before. Thanks for writing this, going to order some of them!
our new family favorite is a book called a rabbit named rufis ( you can get it on the kindle), it is so cute both of my kids love it
Thanks for the suggestions. Goodnight Moon is like a warm cup of milk before bed. Oliver Jeffers is a breath of fresh air. Off to the library to discover the rest..
Here are our current favourites.
Corduroy – Don Freeman (a total classic)
A Fish Out of Water – P.D Eastman
Go, Dog, Go – P.D Eastman
Nobody Owns the Moon – Tohby Riddle (so witty for grownups)
Peace at Last – Jill Murphy (so good, we didn’t want to take it back to library)
Where’s my Teddy? – Jez Alborough (ditto)
The velveteen rabbit – Margery Williams (long version is best)
The Story about Ping – Marjorie Flack
Dogger – Shirley Hughes
Waddle Giggle Gargle – Pamela Allen
Fancy That! Pamela Allen
Grandpa and Thomas and the Green Umbrella – Pamela Allen
Caps for Sale – Esphyr Slobodkina
Peely Wally – Kali Stileman
Red Plane to the Rescue – Melissa Firth (published in 2011, a great find)
Looking forward to discovering some of the titles here which I’ve never heard of!
Here are some of our favorites –
“Jamberry”
“Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?”
“I Love You the Purplest”
“Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes”
“Millions of Cats”
“Ferdinand the Bull”
Oh oh oh, can’t forget…!
“The Maggie B.”
“The Caboose Who Got Loose” (by Bill Peet)
“Miss Rumphius” (love love love those illustrations)
“The Boy Who Wouldn’t Go to Bed”
“Knuffle Bunny”
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”