10 Awesome Kids' Books (you may not know about)

Is your children’s library a bit stale?  While we all have favorite kids’ books, sometimes reading the same well-loved tale over and over can be kind of… boring.  It’s great to stock up on the classics – stories you read as a child, gems from favorite authors, characters your kids love – maybe you need a little inspiration.  This top ten list of awesome kids books may give you a few new ideas!

Ducks Don’t Wear Socks by John Nedwidek 

Nedwidek tells the story of Emily – a VERY serious girl who likes doing VERY serious things like playing the cello.  But one day, she runs into Duck – who is definitely NOT serious.  Duck likes to plant crops in the park, ride a stick horse around town, and above all: wear things a duck is NOT supposed to wear.  Through a series of humorous run-ins, Duck teaches Emily (and the reader!) the importance of laughter and fun.

 

Roar of a Snore by Marsha Diane Arnold 

Jack Huffle’s peaceful sleep is disturbed by one big roar of a snore!  At first, he blames his faithful dog, but upon discovering it isn’t him the two set off on a search for the culprit.  They wake Mama Gwyn, Papa Ben, Baby Sue and more, to no avail.  Each family member joins the search in turn and they follow their ears to make a most surprising discovery!  Kids will be delighted with the rhymes and cadence, and will particularly love roaring along with the snorer!

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rosetti Shustak 

This book of charming illustrations features a silly toddler and his stuffed bear with fun rhyming text.  It not only teaches children about emotions, but also portrays the great love parents have for their little ones.

 

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

This is a very atypical Dr. Seuss book, but a great read, nonetheless.  In this book, Seuss describes emotions and moods using colors, animals and actions.  His rhyming text is accompanied by bright, vivid paintings which create a sensational experience for the reader.  Kids will easily relate to the book which uses such imagery as a bright red horse kicking his heels, a very sad purple dinosaur, and a cool, quiet calm, green fish – among many others.  This book is a great way to give words and meanings that a child will understand to what can be potentially confusing and abstract ideas.

 

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis 

This cute book features a quirky little rabbit and just one old cardboard box.  Or is it?  Children will learn the importance and fun of imagination as they follow this rabbit in his imaginative play.  From a firetruck to a mountain to a rocket ship, little rabbit shows how imagination transports us to a world with no limitations – where anything is possible.

 

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems 

Pigeon is not a BIT sleepy.  Nope, not at all!  But we aren’t allowed to let him stay up past his bedtime.  Kids will laugh along with you as Pigeon runs through all of his excuses, wheedling, reasons, and temper tantrums in order to escape bedtime.  Will he succeed?

 

Ish by Peter Reynolds 

Reynolds paints a vivid picture of Ramon, a carefree spirit who loves drawing.  Nothing makes Ramon more happy that drawing, that is until his brother offers him a single thoughtless remark.  With that one careless comment, Ramon’s joyful sketching turns into an aggravated struggle.  Can he ever enjoy drawing again?  Luckily for Ramon, his little sister is there to open his eyes to thinking “ish-ly” and he discovers that getting everything perfect is not all it’s cut out to be.  Kids and adults alike will love this story of encouraging creativity and innovative thinking.

 

An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton 

With this book, kids learn to dream big and reach higher than they think they can.  Clayton shares whimsical scenarios replete with bright, vivid, quirky illustrations and fun, thoughtful rhymes.  The moral?  Hold on to the imagination of your youth and don’t be afraid to dream big!

 

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal 

This is the cute tale of Spoon, a happy utensil.  Though he’s always been fairly satisfied with life, lately he has started to feel as if being a spoon is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Fork, Knife and Chopsticks seem to have it better than him.  Perhaps greater things await him… but do they?  Kids will love the unconventional characters and relatable storyline as they learn about celebrating differences and appreciating the things that make us unique.

 

The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers 

What is happening in the forest?  The animals grow more and more confused as branches and then whole trees go missing.  Confusion turns to alarm as more of the forest disappears and their investigative work turns up empty.  A single eyewitness lead opens their eyes to bear, the culprit who’s been stealing the trees and dragging them to his home to… do what?  The police are called, an interrogation ensues and the animals hold a trial.  But none of them are expecting what happens next.  Kids of all ages will love finding the clues, learning the story of bear, and searching the funny little illustrations all while learning the importance of friendship, conservation and recycling.

 

Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest,Bloglovin’ and Instagram. Email her at: bugabooblog(at)yahoo.com