The Wackiest Picture Books with the BEST Messages
Do you ever pick up a book and wonder, “How did someone ever come up with this idea?” The premise is so absurd and strange that only one word comes to mind: wacky. More often than not, the wackier the book the more earnest the message inside. From neighbors who measure time in coconuts and bananas, to an alligator who opens a restaurant for birds on his snout, to a young girl who flees to space just to get people (and magical creatures and extraterrestrials) to respect her bodily autonomy, each of the picture books on this list uses a fun read to impart some beautiful wisdom. So, share these wacky picture books with your young readers and enjoy the heartfelt messages behind the humor!
The helpful KNOW-IT-ALL in apartment 2C can answer any question. He’s such a wealth of information, and all his neighbors depend on him. But one day he is asked a question that he just doesn’t understand. How can 2C help his neighbor and also protect his smarty-pants reputation if he doesn’t know what the question means?
This clever story reinforces that it’s okay—in fact, it’s actually a very good thing—to say “I don’t know.” Asking questions leads to discovery, understanding, and insight. In her signature humorous and imaginative style, Laurie Keller takes the embarrassment out of admitting that you don’t know something and proves how helpful it can be!
Chester van Chime is usually the BEST at rhyming. He can normally tell you all about cats wearing hats and snails delivering mail, but today, something has changed. Today there’s no dog on a log. No duck in a truck. Just a Pomeranian on a sideways tree and a waterfowl in a full-size pickup. What’s a kid to do?!
Filled with irresistible wordplay and whimsically silly illustrations, bestselling creators Avery Monsen and Abby Hanlon’s read aloud tells the story of a boy who learns not to be stressed if he’s not at his…tippy-top peak performance.
Filled with irresistible wordplay and whimsically silly illustrations, bestselling creators Avery Monsen and Abby Hanlon’s read aloud tells the story of a boy who learns not to be stressed if he’s not at his…tippy-top peak performance.
Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn’t seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful — she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story.
Welcome to Chez Bob, which seems like a real restaurant…until you realize…it’s on an alligator’s NOSE! Bob’s got a hidden plan for his customers: “Birds will come to eat, but I will eat the birds!” As they fly in from all over the world to dine on Bob’s face, something starts to happen that takes the lazy, hungry reptile by surprise — the birds stay. “More yummy birds!” he rejoices — he’ll want for nothing! But when the time is right, will Bob make the right choice?
Comic genius Bob Shea cooks up a tasty tale that proves anyone, even hungry alligators, can have a change of heart and learn to be a good friend.
Comic genius Bob Shea cooks up a tasty tale that proves anyone, even hungry alligators, can have a change of heart and learn to be a good friend.
This refreshingly spirited version of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood explores the challenge of staying on your path when confronted by strangers who don’t want to understand you.
When a carefree bunny is approached by a voracious bear in the woods, Bunny has just one request: “Please don’t eat me.”
But the bear has a never-ending list of requests, and Bunny realizes maybe Bear isn’t as hungry as he’d let on…maybe he just wants his new friend’s company for a while.
This witty and poignant exploration of predator and prey will have children and parents alike roaring with laughter–and looking for their next meal.