Tag: Books for Kids

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2 Funny Picture Books You Need to Read!

📚 Ready for some laugh-out-loud picture book fun?

If your kids love silly humor, unexpected twists, and stories that beg to be read aloud, these two favorites are guaranteed to deliver:

🐄 Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
When Farmer Brown’s cows discover a typewriter, things get… complicated. 😄
With deadpan humor and hilarious negotiations (hello, striking cows!), this classic read-aloud is pure fun. Betsy Lewin’s loose, expressive watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the cows’ personalities and comedic timing.

🐟 Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat
This clever, tongue-in-cheek book presents “facts” about fish… that get more and more suspicious as you read. Kids will love being in on the joke as the narrator’s reliability starts to unravel. Dan Santat’s bold, dynamic illustrations add to the humor, making every page a visual surprise.

Both books are packed with personality, humor, and plenty of opportunities for kids (and grown-ups) to giggle together.

✨ Which one would your kids love more—rebellious cows or suspicious fish?

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Fantastic Picture Books Biographies for Curious Kids: HOUDINI’S LIBRARY and MESMERIZED

📚 Looking for picture books that bring real-life stories to life?

These two fascinating biographies introduce kids to larger-than-life figures who amazed audiences in very different ways:

🎩 Houdini’s Library by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Marie Lafrance
Before he was the world’s most famous escape artist, Harry Houdini was a poor immigrant boy who found a way to make his fortune with the knowledge he found in books. This inspiring story highlights the power of knowledge and determination—and the artwork is just as captivating. Created with a mix of traditional and photographic techniques, the illustrations layer texture, collage, and dramatic lighting to evoke the mystery and theatricality of Houdini’s world.

✨ Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved the Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
The King of France had a problem. A mysterious Dr. Mesmer claimed he discovered a new force that allowed him to make all kinds of things happen. But was it real or just a hoax? The King asked Benjamin Franklin to investigate. This intriguing picture book explores the strange and captivating world of early hypnotism and how Benjamin Franklin was able to use the scientific method to solve the case.

Both books are rich in history, visually stunning, and perfect for curious kids who love to learn about real people who changed the world (or at least amazed it!).

✨ Which story would your kids find more fascinating—magic or mystery?

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Thrilling Adventure Books: CANYON’S EDGE and LIFEBOAT 12

📚 Looking for edge-of-your-seat adventure reads for middle grade readers?
If your kid loves stories of survival, courage, and grit, these two unforgettable books will keep them turning pages late into the night:

🏜️ CANYON’S EDGE by Dusti Bowling
When a flash flood traps 13-year-old Nora in a slot canyon, she must rely on her instincts—and her resilience—to survive. Told in alternating prose and verse, this story pulls readers right into the danger while also exploring grief, healing, and inner strength.

🚢 LIFEBOAT 12 by Susan Hood
Based on a true story from World War II, this powerful novel in verse follows a group of children stranded at sea after their ship is torpedoed. Stuck in a lifeboat with limited supplies, they must find the courage to survive together.

Both of these fast-paced verse novels combine action and emotion in a way that feels immediate and immersive—perfect for readers who want adventure with heart.

✨ Which setting would you survive: the canyon or the open ocean?

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Today’s book recommendations: ANIMALS IN PANTS and WET CEMENT: A MIX OF CONCRETE POEMS

📚 Ready to make reading FUN (and maybe a little silly)? If you’ve got a young reader who loves to laugh—or one who just hasn’t fallen in love with poetry yet—these two playful picks are a perfect place to start:

🩳 ANIMALS IN PANTS by Suzy Levinson

What’s better than animals? Animals wearing PANTS. 😄 This laugh-out-loud picture book is packed with ridiculous, colorful illustrations and simple, bouncy text that makes it a joy to read aloud. Perfect for giggles, engagement, and getting even the wiggliest kids excited about books.

🎈WET CEMENT: A MIX OF CONCRETE POEMS by Bob Raczka

This clever, creative collection turns poetry into art. Each poem is shaped to match its subject—so kids don’t just read the poem, they see it. It’s interactive, surprising, and a fantastic way to introduce poetic thinking in a way that feels like play.

Both of these books invite kids to experience reading differently—through humor, creativity, and imagination.

✨ Which one would your kids grab first—the silly or the surprising?

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Today’s book recommendations: WITCHES OF BROOKLYN and THE TRYOUT!

📚 Looking for books that kids won’t want to put down? Graphic novels are a fantastic way to build reading confidence while still delivering rich stories, big emotions, and unforgettable characters.

Here are two middle grade favorites worth adding to your shelf:

✨ WITCHES OF BROOKLYN by Sophie Escabasse

When Effie moves to Brooklyn to live with two mysterious aunts she barely knows, she discovers they might be hiding a magical secret—and that she may have powers of her own. This charming graphic novel blends friendship, family, humor, and just the right touch of witchy magic.

📣 THE TRYOUT by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

Based on a true story, this heartfelt graphic memoir follows a girl navigating middle school, identity, and the nerve-wracking experience of trying out for the cheerleading squad. It’s funny, honest, and incredibly relatable for anyone who has ever wondered where they fit in.

Both books are engaging, beautifully illustrated, and perfect for middle grade readers who love stories about friendship, growing up, and discovering who they are.

📖 Tell me which graphic novels the kids in your life love? I’m always looking for new recommendations!

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Today’s book recommendation: LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech

📚 Have you discovered verse novels yet?

These fast-growing favorites are winning over young readers everywhere—and for good reason. With less text on each page, they can feel less intimidating, but they’re packed with voice, emotion, and powerful poetic tools like imagery, metaphor, and creative formatting that brings the story to life.

If you want the perfect place to start, try LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech. 🐶

This beloved middle grade classic follows a boy named Jack who thinks he hates poetry… until he slowly discovers he might have something important to say.

It’s funny, heartfelt, quick to read—and often the book that turns kids into verse-novel fans for life.

✨ Have you or your kids read a verse novel yet? Drop your favorites below!