Best Books for Big Kids

Childrens books for big kids
Bigger kids have got some special requirements than younger kids when it comes to reading. We've got a bunch of books just right for their reading pleasure.

Once I Ate a Pie
by Patricia MacLachan and Emily MacLachlan Charest

In this book full of creative and whimsical poems that highlight dogs' different personalities, each dog narrates its own poem. The bulldog likes to steal pies, while the puppy is worried about getting lost in this big world. The illustrations complement each theme and the personality of dogs portrayed.

Nic Bishop Spiders (Sibert Honor Book) [Hardcover]
by Nic Bishop

Through the close-up examination of different kinds of spiders, Nic Bishop educates while thrilling kids on the fascinating facts of spider life. The close-up shots of spiders are shown in action as well, making the spider look like it's alive. The color photography and basic text are easy and fun for children to follow along to.







The Wicked Big Toddlah
by Kevin Hawkes

Follow Toddie on his adventures and troubles he encounters on his first year of life as a baby. Toddie is not your ordinary toddler; he is a giant baby. He eats trees, takes his baths in the ocean while playing with the fishing boats as toys, and can eat an entire ice cream truck. Hawkes' vibrant illustrations of giant baby Toddie will leave young readers screaming with delight and laughter.






A Fine, Fine School
by Sharon Creech

When Principal Mr. Keene decides he loves his school so much that he wants his students to attend school every single day of the year, including holidays, weekend, and summers, Tillie is determined to show him that every student needs some time off to be a kid and have fun.







Roasted Peanuts
by Tim Egan

Best friends Sam and Jackson love baseball and everything that goes along with it, especially those yummy roasted peanuts. When Sam makes the town's minor league baseball team and Jackson doesn't, Sam begins to play poorly. During a game Sam hears someone heckling him and realizes it's Jackson working as a peanut vendor. Sam gets the point and hits a home run.






Milo's Hat Trick
by Jon Agee

Milo the Magnificent has one more chance to prove his magic tricks to the theater manager. His card trick and rope trick both failed so his final trick will be to pull a rabbit out of his hat. While Milo is searching in the woods for a rabbit for his big performance he comes across a bear instead. Find out if this intelligent bear can save Milo's magic act once and for all!






Mammalabilia
by Douglas Florian

These 21 short, humorous and rhythmic poems are great for keeping children's attention. The beautiful paintings accompany the variety of animals such as a fox, beaver, coyote, and zebra that are presented in each different poem. Kids will have fun with the simple but educational text and animals as they follow along.







Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems
by Judy Sierra

This book of poetic riddles written about and told from a penguin's perspective has a fun yet educational take on penguin behaviors. These entertaining penguin tales have a sense of realism that will grab the attention of not only children but the adults who read them as well!







Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Tale
by Carmen Agra Deedy

Martina is a cockroach in search of a true love that she feels she may never find. That is until her grandmother gives her the advice of spilling coffee on her suitor's shoes. Find out if Martina's grandmother's unusual advice works for her and if she finally finds her true love.







The Chicken Chasing Queen of Lamar County
by Janice Harrington

In this fun-loving and humorous story, a young girl who loves chasing chickens is always trying to chase Miss Hen, who is a tad too fast for her. She is very determined to chase and catch her, until she finds Miss Hen perched on a nest of eggs, and decides that she will leave the hen and her babies alone. What's a chicken chaser to do?






Some Dog!
by Mary Casanova

George has grown older and slower, and he is not the energetic puppy that he once was; however he still feels exceptional. That is until Zippity, a young and active puppy, comes along and steals George's spotlight away from him. When Zippity gets lost during a storm, George is the one to rescue him and bring him back home, proving every dog, including George, has its day.

Source: nickjr dot com

The All-Time Best Books for Big Kids

Bread and Jam for Frances
By Russell Hoban
Struggling with a picky eater? Give this book a go to show your kids that branching out those taste buds can be a good thing!










Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
By William Steig
When your kindergartner's got a case of the gimmes, this book is a great reminder that we may already have all that we really need.










Make Way for Ducklings
By Robert McCloskey
You just have to love this classic tale of a mother duck's unconditional love for her ducklings.










The Little Engine That Could
By Watty Piper
This book's famous line -- "I think I can, I think I can" -- will inform your mommy pep talks for years and years to come.










Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
By Judith Viorst
You can't teach this lesson too early: There are days when just everything seems to go wrong -- but tomorrow is always another day!










Chocolatina
By Erik Kraft
We love how this "grass is always greener" tale sparks kids' limitless imaginations.











Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
By Kevin Henkes
A few weeks before your child's ready to start kindergarten, he'll love reading this tale about "Big Kid School."










Fireman Small
By Wong Herbert Yee
What's better than a fireman saving the day? Firetruck-obsessed kids will definitely enjoy this inspiring read.










Stone Soup
By Marcia Brown
This great trickster tale will have your impish kindergartner laughing.











Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
By Mo Willems
Kids will find relief in their advanced language abilities when they read about a young girl who loses her bunny -- but isn't yet able to articulate to her parents what's happened!









The Indian in the Cupboard
By Lynne Reid Banks
With one turn of the key Omri's toys are brought to life. He quickly learns that taking care of another person is no easy task.










Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
By Judi Barrett
Meatballs aren't the only things that fall from the clouds in this all-too-delicious story. Children see what would happen if rain were replaced with pancakes and other surprising foods.









The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams
He's no wooden boy, but this stuffed rabbit yearns for the love of a child that he hopes will one day make him real.










Elizabeti's Doll
By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Longing to care for a baby like her mother, Elizabeti has no doll, but instead finds a suitable rock. But when Elizabeti loses her new doll, Eva, she does all she can to find it.









Giggle, Giggle, Quack
By Doreen Cronin
When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, Duck is up to his usual antics. Changing the note from Farmer Brown so the animals get pizza on Tuesday is just the beginning.










I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem
By Jamie Lee Curtis
When two children can verbally say why they like themselves it's a great thing. From getting a bad gift to being wrong in class these children remain positive.










Olivia
By Ian Falconer
Olivia may be a pig, but she certainly doesn't sit in mud all day. This active little lady is always on the go and promises nonstop fun in this beautifully illustrated book.










If You Take a Mouse to School
By Laura Numeroff
Another in the mouse series, but this time he's not after your cookies. However, when you get to school make sure your lunchbox is hidden.

Tikki Tikki TemboBy Arlene Mosel
When Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo falls into a well, his younger brother, Chang, tries to get help but is always out of breath after trying to say his brother's name.









Thank You, Amelia Bedelia
By Peggy Parish
She's everyone's favorite maid. Taking literal meaning from everything she is told causes Amelia Bedelia to string the beans and more mixups.










Tea with Milk
By Allen Say
After moving to Japan from the United States, Masako struggles to learn the culture of another country.










The Giving Tree
By Shel Silverstein
This story of a selfless tree that gives to everyone -- not just the boy -- teaches that it's better to give than to receive.










Nate the Great
By Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate is back and on the case of a missing cat. With the help of his dog Sludge, the two are able to crack the case and find the missing feline.
Originally published in the March 2008 issue of Parents magazine.