Families who loved Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book? by Lauren Child 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 you need a creative way to talk about respecting belongings or when your child has had a 'oops' moment with a shared item. It is a brilliant tool for teaching accountability without being preachy, using humor to show how our actions affect others. Herb, a boy who has scribbled in and mistreated his storybooks, literally falls into his own book and must face the disgruntled characters he has 'ruined.' From a Goldilocks with a mustache to a Cinderella who can't get to the ball because her page was cut out, the consequences are hilarious but impactful. It is perfect for children aged 5 to 9 who are navigating the transition from 'toddler-tough' board books to more delicate library books. By centering the story on empathy and fixing one's mistakes, it transforms a potential lecture into a shared laugh about the magic (and responsibility) of reading.
