Families who loved Penny Dreadful and the Horrible Hoo-hah by Joanna Nadin 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 the weight of being the 'naughty' one or when their big ideas consistently result in unintended messes. Penelope Jones, known to everyone as Penny Dreadful, is a high energy protagonist whose 'brilliant ideas' frequently spiral into what she calls a 'Horrible Hoo-hah.' Through humorous vignettes involving a school play and a neighborhood pet show, the story explores the gap between a child's innocent intentions and the chaotic reality of their actions. This is an excellent choice for kids aged 7 to 10 who struggle with impulsivity or executive functioning. It provides a safe, laughing space to discuss responsibility and the difference between making a mistake and being a bad person. Parents will appreciate how it validates the child's perspective while gently modeling how to own up to the inevitable disasters that follow a lack of foresight.
