Families who loved It Was a Dark and Stormy Night by Allan Ahlberg 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 feeling powerless or needs to see how creativity can be a tool for resilience. It is the perfect choice for the young storyteller who tends to embellish the truth or for a child who is navigating fears of the unknown through humor. The story follows Antonio, an eight-year-old kidnapped by a band of bumbling outlaws, who must use his wits to survive. Instead of fighting back with force, he uses the power of narrative, spinning a never-ending tale that keeps his captors enthralled and gives him control over a scary situation. This clever metafictional chapter book celebrates the agency of children and the way imagination can transform fear into a hilarious game. It is a wonderful bridge for 7 to 10 year olds who are ready for more complex narrative structures but still crave a sense of play and adventure.