Families who loved Buster's Naughty Tricks by Sue Mongredien often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is experiencing the 'growing pains' of pet ownership or struggling with the consequences of their own impulsive behavior. While we often focus on the joy of a new animal, this story validates the genuine frustration and guilt that arise when a beloved pet (or the child themselves) causes accidental chaos. Through Lily and her mischievous kitten Buster, children explore how to handle anger when things go wrong and how to take accountability for messes they didn't mean to make. Written for the 6 to 9 age range, this chapter book uses a gentle, relatable lens to look at family dynamics and the pressure of school performances. It provides a safe space for kids to process the 'naughty' feelings they might have when their life feels out of control. It is an excellent choice for building empathy and learning that mistakes, while frustrating, can be fixed with patience and a little help from friends.