These Books Will Take Your Kids Out of the Reading Habit.
You have read Good Night 4289 times. You are not thrilled with the main message of the Tree of the Tree . Enough: you want this damn caterpillar to finally feel full. If you’re stuck in the routine of reading with your young children (or if your big kids are stuck in their own rut), I’ve compiled a fresh reading list for you to solve this year, compiled with help from parents on our Offspring Facebook community and hopefully take you beyond the titles you already have on your bookshelf.
You can see the full list of recommendations by joining our group , but I’ve compiled the best ones below: 10 picture books for young children and 10 books, TV series or graphic novels for big children.
Picture books
The Nice Egg , written by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
Team member Autumn recommends this book, a follow-up to The Bad Seed, which explores the themes of perfectionism and anxiety. Here’s a description from Goodreads:
A good egg has been good for as long as he can remember. While the other eggs in his box are a little rotten, he always does the right thing, kindly and politely. He’s a really, really good egg! Until one day he decides that’s enough! He begins to break down (literally) from the pressure of having to always be perfect.
Jack (Not Jackie) Screenplay by Erica Silverman, Illustrated by Holly Hutam
Autumn also recommends the book, which she says is “about gender the way children understand it.” Here’s a description from Goodreads:
Susan thinks her little sister Jackie giggles the best! She can’t wait for Jackie to grow up so that they can do different things like play forest fairies and explore together. But as Jackie grows up, she doesn’t want to play these games. She wants to play with dirt and be a super bug! Jackie also dislikes dresses and her long hair and she would rather call her Jack.
Little Red Carriage , written by Joshua Furst, illustrated by Katie Wu
This one was recommended by Erica, who likes it because “the focus is on sharing and displaying diverse family structures and interracial friendships. However, she adds, I have to say that a friend’s daughter is upset with this book because (spoiler alert!) Eventually the stroller will break – but there is another happy ending! “
Here’s a rundown of Goodreads:
When Luna was born, her mother gave her a little red stroller. He accompanies her and her mother throughout all their daily activities, until she outgrows the stroller and can pass it on to the nearest baby, who now needs her. And so the stroller continues to live, passing from one child to another, emphasizing the diversity of families for preschoolers: some with two mums, some with two dads, some with one parent, and they all come from different cultures and nationalities. This simple and fun book is a beautiful portrait of the family’s diversity and versatility.
Glad, Glad Bear , scripted and illustrated by Kimberly G.
This is another recommendation from Erica that says, “This is about a bear boy who wants to go to dance lessons and wear a tutu because he feels happy in this space, but he also feels uncomfortable when others are not like him.” …
Here’s a description from Goodreads:
The bear is very, very, very happy today! He goes to his first ballet class. But he’s a little nervous too. This cute and silly picture book is an honest exploration of the feelings that kids and adults alike must have!
The bear is so excited that today is dance day! He has new leggings, slippers and a tutu and is ready to go. But when he gets there, he feels a little shy, a little insecure and even a little scared. What can help him feel better? Of course, dancing!
Can I give you something to eat ? written and illustrated by Emily Nilson
This book is recommended by Presi, who says: “Of course the message of consent is very clear, but also beautiful illustrations. An additional side effect for us is that he showed our little one new ways to show affection. ” Here are the details from Goodreads:
Kai is a little mer-boy who loves hugs – or “squish,” as he and his mom call them. However, not everyone likes Kai’s energetic hug, which he discovers shortly after crushing the puffer fish, which swells with fright! Kai is feeling terrible; but with the help of his friends, he finds another way to express his affection, and then each demonstrates their preferred ways of greeting. Because, as Kai understands, “every fish loves its squishy.”
Plant a Kiss , Written by Amy Croes Rosenthal, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Alanna recommended this book, which, she says, “has a great message and is one of the few handbooks that I love to read a million times. In fact, the phrase “don’t mind reading” doesn’t really reflect it – I really enjoyed reading aloud. He has a very musical quality in speaking compared to writing, which is immensely enjoyable. “
Here’s a description of Goodreads:
One small act of love turns into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could ever imagine on this epic journey of life, kindness and generosity.
Dragons Love Tacos , Screenplay by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Because group member David says you’re a bad parent if you don’t add that to the rotation. Description of Goodreads:
Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, big big tacos, and tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a flight of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Taco buckets and buckets. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if the dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa. … … Oh boy. You are in real trouble.
Star Wars: Skywalker: Skywalker. The Galaxy Needs You , scripted by Kaitlyn Kennedy, with illustration by Eda Kaban.
Marian recommends this, saying that it “uses an example from the Star Wars movies to tell kids to be themselves and be cool. The main character is Rei. And I love reading this to my son because he needs to know that a strong woman can be the center of a story. “
And Goodreads describes it this way:
Have you ever wondered that there is no one in the galaxy who is exactly like you? This inspirational picture book celebrates young creative heroes and contains illustrations that follow Rey on her own hero’s journey.
Thank you Octopus , written and illustrated by Darren Farrell.
Group member Seth says: “If you want to hear your kids explode with laughter, the most cited book in our house is Darren Ferrell’s Thank You Octopus . It’s about a boy and his mischievous octopus buddy who live in a boat. The night classes are NOT going according to plan. “Let me brush your teeth.” “Thank you Octopus.” BY BRUSH. “No thanks, Octopus!” Etc. This is the right kind of dumb buffoonery, and the illustrations are weird enough. Nice addition to some of the other more moral / value books we read. Probably best for 2-5 year olds, but we love it too. “
Global Baby Girls , Global Fund for Children
Anastasia recommends this book to children with a pandemic among us. She says: “Mine is obsessed with faces as she can no longer see them, so this book was definitely her favorite. She looks at other children’s faces. “
As Goodreads describes:
Babies love to look at babies, and this vibrant collection of photographs is your ticket to travel around the world. From Peru to China, Russia to Mali, this handbook presents fascinating photographs of curious, fun and adventurous girls from fifteen different cultures. Bright and bold pictures, combined with simple text, convey a powerful message: wherever they are born, girls can grow up and change the world.
Chapter books
Scholastic book line “Branches”
Scholastic has published a series of chapter books designed for early elementary school students who are ready to read on their own and begin the transition from reading to chapter books. There are over 20 different TV shows for everyone and different interests. In particular, band member Kristen says The Owl Diaries and The Unicorn Diaries have become hits at her home.
Series McDonald Hall , written by Gordon Cormon
This series was originally written in 1978 when Cormon was a teenager, and was updated and reprinted in 2003. David from our Facebook group tells me the series is great for kids ages 8-12:
“The stories tell how children work together in a fictional boarding school. Obviously, they find themselves in some wild, outlandish situations, showing farce from time to time. However, this always has consequences and it is all very light-hearted. Plus, it’s always done with good intentions. The books are not forgiving and help expand vocabulary – especially for describing how the characters speak (this is where I first heard the word “objected” to describe a quick return). There is also a good performance for male and female characters: across the street is a girls’ school, whose role grows with each successive book. I read the series as a kid, and now I read them to my 8- and 10-year-old children, and they can’t wait to go to bed while they tell stories! “
Percy Jackson and the Olympians , the script by Rick Riordan
Another series of books for teenagers, Kristen recommends Percy Jackson and the Olympians or any other books by author Rick Riordan, many of which are inspired by Greek mythology. Here’s a description of Goodreads for The Lightning Thief , the first book in the series:
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he doesn’t seem to be able to focus on his studies or control his temperament. And lately, being in the boarding school has only gotten worse – Percy could swear that his algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out about this, she knows that it’s time for him to find out the truth about where he came from, and that he will go to a place where he will be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for the demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, the God of the Sea. Soon the mystery is revealed, and together with his friends – one satyr and another – a demigod, daughter of Athena – Percy travels across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
Books by author Jonathan Osier
Group member Louise says: “All of his books are incredibly well written and very interesting. The Night Gardener is a creepy story, yet beautiful and really explores deep issues like survivor guilt and xenophobia. My middle school student loved it, and so did I – very powerful reading, very fun from start to finish. Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire (two books go together) are magical and so fun to read. Axier seems to push the boundaries of what children can read and understand, but does so in a way that is totally enjoyable and initiates all kinds of conversations. I highly, highly recommend both myself and my pupil of secondary school age. “
The Sister Grimm Series Written by Michael Buckley
Jennifer recommends this book series: “My kids seriously listened to these audiobooks six times. I love them too! Great for 7+ [years old], although my son seems to have been listening at six. My son and daughter love them. “
Goodreads describes the first book in the series, Fabulous Detectives , in this way:
For Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, life was not a fairy tale. After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, the sisters are sent to live with their grandmother – a woman they believed to be dead! Reld’s grandmother reveals that the girls have two famous ancestors, the Brothers Grimm, whose classic book of fairy tales is actually a collection of cases of magical mischief. Now the girls must take on the family responsibility of fairy tale detectives.
The Penderwix series , written by Jeanne Birdsall
Bharati says her nine-year-old spent time reading Penderwix this summer. Goodreads describes A Summer’s Tale of Four Sisters, Two Bunnies and a Very Interesting Boy , the first book in the series:
The Penderwick Sisters are delighted to discover the summer magic of Arundel’s vast gardens, treasure loft, tame bunnies, and a chef who makes the finest gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of the owner of Arundel, the perfect companion on their adventures. With a chilling heart, Mrs. Tifton is less happy with the Penderwicks than Geoffrey and warns new friends to stay out of trouble. It’s fun? Of course, the summer will be unforgettable.
The graveyard book , written by Neil Gaiman
Melissa recommended this book to children aged 10 and over. Goodreads says:
None of Owens, whom his friends call Bod, are perfectly normal boys. Well, he would be completely normal if he did not live in a cemetery, raised and raised by ghosts, with a lone guardian who does not belong to the world of the living or to the world of the dead.
Dangers and adventures await Boda in the graveyard: the strange and terrible threat of Slir; a grave entrance to the desert leading to the city of ghouls; friendship with a witch and much more.
But it is in the land of the living that a real danger lurks, because it is there that the man Jack lives, who has already killed the Boda family.
Graphic novels
Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans , by Roland Owen Laird Jr. and Taneshia Nash Laird, illustrated by Eliu “Adofo” Bey
Clovis describes this graphic novel as “a fairly serious but casual and easy-to-understand survey of African American history.” Here’s a description of Goodreads:
Still I Rise is a critically acclaimed work on an impressive scale: the entire history of Black America, told in an accessible graphic novel form. Updated from its original version that ended with the March of a Million, it now spans from the early days of colonial slavery to Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential campaign.
Series of graphic novels “By the fire”
Clovis tells us that Campfire is “a comic book publisher that publishes classic novels (such as Abduction or Treasure Island on the one hand, or stories from Hindu mythology on the other). This is a classic, similar to superhero comics. My children know the Ramayana back and forth through these books.
Dangerous Tales series , written and illustrated by Nathan Hale.
Group member Julie describes this series of historical fairy tales, told in the style of a graphic novel, as follows: “It’s fantastic reading, so fun and horrible enough to draw for high school kids. We have a whole series, both of my boys LOVE them (and it can be difficult for them to enjoy reading). “
And Goodreads advises:
Historic Nathan Hale treats his executioners with stories from history to stop his hanging. Historical tales do not happen in order, but the storytellers continue to tell stories, so it is recommended that you read the books in order.
I could go on and on, but instead, I’ll let you go on and on. What names do you and your kids like now that other parents may not know about yet? Share them in the comments!