7 Picture Books to Please Even the Pickiest Readers
My boys turned 4 and 6 respectively over the past month so I went on a hunt to find them new books that I hadn’t been aware of before. This can be a hard task for as reading-heavy a family as mine. I headed over to Children’s Book World in Haverford, PA to get their take on some recommendations and I found a few tucked away in corners myself. The boys opened them with glee and happily sat through a reading of each one. All the books chosen are gender neutral and would make excellent gifts for birthday parties because you can be sure they probably aren’t on your friend’s shelves. So, are you ready to take a look at some books that will please even the pickiest readers?
**Note – This post contains affiliate links. Any purchase made through a link will result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
The Big Bed by Bunmi LaditanI haven’t laughed out loud at a kid’s book this hard in years! Told in the witty manner of The Honest Toddler’s tweets, this story features a preschooler attempting to convince her father that SHE deserves to sleep in the big bed with mommy. Her arguments and questions are logical and funny, while the illustrations perfectly capture her throwing shade at her father. This story was relatable to my children and me, and even my husband got a chuckle out of it.
Tek: The Modern Cave Boy by Patrick McDonnell
The layout of this book is so clever. It looks like a tablet from the outside and as you read through the pages, the battery depletes. The basic tale is of a little caveboy who is so hooked on his phone and it’s constant beeping that he misses the world around him. Will his dinosaur friends be able to help him put his device down? I love using this book as a discussion point for my own kids about the need to limit screen time.
The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson
It’s important to me to teach my kids about kindness, sharing and giving things to those in need. Julia Donaldson, who wrote Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, perfectly captures what it means to quite literally give the shirt off your back to help others in need.
The Great Puppy Invasion by Alastair Heim
OMG. This is about the cutest book I’ve ever seen! The story is about a town that is all work and no play until hundred of puppies invade the streets. The people run in fear of their cuteness until one boy is brave enough to stop and shake paws. An adorable tale for any dog lover!
Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel
Have you ever had a kid that wore the same item every. single. day? We all have. My youngest wears a basketball jersey under everything from sweatshirts to pajamas to button downs. It’s equal parts infuriating and amusing, so you can bet that I relate to this little boy who only wears green pants and is being asked to wear tuxedo pants for a wedding. My little one thought the boy’s solution was amazing!
Jackie told me about this after she bought it for her kiddos for Valentine’s day. The gorgeous illustrations complement the sweet musings of Matt de la Peña on love. The various depictions of love in the everyday moments will probably leave you in tears and your kids with a deeper appreciation for how much you care about them.
Big Words for Little Geniuses by Susan and James Patterson
This book is so cute for early readers like my 6-year-old. The animated pictures pair nicely with simple explanations to difficult, but funny words. Juxtaposition, gobbledygook, and catawampus are just a few of the words featured.
