Books about books? Why you might ask. Well because if you love books or you’re trying to raise readers who will love books then you will love these books. They are all about books.
Why we read them.
How we read them.
How books are made.
For the current and future book lover…
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15 Best Books About Books
Here is a list of fun, often humorous, fabulous read aloud children’s books all about books.
1. It’s a Book
by Lane Smith
This is one of our favorite books because it makes us all laugh out loud. The story is about a monkey and a donkey. The monkey is reading a book. The donkey is trying to understand the concept of a book. In a world of technology and screens this is timely and genius.
2. How to Read a Story
by Kate Messner
illustrated by Mark Siegel
This is another wonderful book about the basics of books. Go to the shelf, find a book, pick it up. Reading a book is pretty simple, but the first time it is still magical. It is a gentle story and sweetly illustrated book.
3. Library Lion
by Michelle Knudsen
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
You will probably learn quickly following along with this challenge that I can be a bit dramatic about books, but there are some that just leave this warm spot in your heart. I first read this book to my kids when they were toddlers and it’s a lifelong love now. It’s a gentle story about a lion who wanders into a library and what follows. It’s an imaginative and sweet story about libraries, books, and friendship.
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4. Any Questions?
by Marie-Louise Gay
World renowned author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay takes the many questions kids have asked her about writing books and answers them in this playful, amusing picture book. A book sure to inspire your little one to tell their own stories.
5. That Book Woman
by Heather Henson
Amazing book about the power of books. Told by an Appalachian boy who learns the power of books from the grit and bravery of a library woman. I cried. It’s awesome.
6. Llama Llama Loves to Read
Written by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan
Illustrated by JT Morrow
This is a great book to share with kindergartners about learning how to read. Sweet Llama Llama encounters the basic pre-reading and early reading skills that they are working on in this warm and gentle journey to reading.
7. Baabwaa and Wooliam
by David Elliot
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This is a humorous book about two sheep living a quiet existence. One day they decide to go on an adventure. It doesn’t go quite as you might expect and they end up teaching a wolf to read. It is full of quiet humor and Melissa Sweet’s delightful illustrations.
8. The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
This power of books at its finest. This book is part celebration of books and the knowledge the hold, part celebration of a brave man in the heart of Harlem during a pivotal time in Black History. The author’s choice to tell the story through the eyes of Lewis Michaux Sr.’s son is genius. It draws in its young audience while also peering at this incredible place with the wonder of a child. Michaux quotes are seamlessly integrated and the story is told with pace and heart and an authentic voice. A book to share and study and inspire.
9. The Word Pirates
by Susan Cooper
Pictures by Steven Kellogg
A true celebration of words disguised as a pirating adventure. This book is full of adventure and excitement, but it is also full of words and writers and books. The Word Pirates are pirates that eat words. They steal them from the pages of writers and books. When they meet the storytelling wizard in New Zealand however the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword is put to the test. A genius pairing that twists our understanding of words and plays with language in the most entertaining of ways. This is a great book to read aloud and full of words to study afterwards. Inspiring, funny, and meaningful all in one colorful package.
10. No Buddy Like a Book
by Allan Wolf
illustrated by Brianne Farley
A fantastic tribute to books and a wild imagination. This book tells readers that all you need is a book and your imagination and you can go anywhere or learn anything. The detailed, diverse, and imaginative illustrations are full of wonder and joy. The rhyming text is lively and fun to read aloud. I can see preschool and kindergarten teachers having a Book Express party celebrating reading inspired by this book.
11. The Library Book by Gabby Dawnay illustrated by Ian Morris
Finding the perfect book for you is the secret to falling in love with books. A trip to the library doesn’t feel fun when you have yet to discover that joy of reading. In this story, a little girl helps a reluctant reader explore the possibilities of the library. Told with rhyming text and detailed imaginative illustrations, I love how this book patiently celebrates a love of books, genres, and libraries.
12. Books Aren’t For Eating
by Carlie Sorosiak
illustrated by Manu Montoya
This is a cozy book about sharing a love of reading. Set in a bookstore run by Leopold, a goat, this has all the cuddle up with a mug and read a book vibes. Leopold is great at matching the right book to the right customer but then enters another goat who just wants to eat all the books. This book makes me smile. As the goat in the story says “These stories fill me up.” – this is one such story.
13. Stacey’s Remarkable Books
by Stacey Abrams
illustrated by Kitt Thomas
A wonderful book about friendship, doing things that are hard, and the power of books. Set in the Deep South, this is a the story of Stacey who loves books and invites a new girl to join her. The new girl, Julie, loves books but has trouble reading in her non-native language. Together they practice and go on adventures through their reading. Their joy for books grows and they form a club of readers and friends who bound over a love of books. A warm, inspiring story.
14. When You Open a Book
by Caroline Derlatka
illustrated by Sara Ugolotti
It’s easy to see from the cover that this book offers a fantastical journey. Written as an ode of sorts to the adventure of reading a book, the words and illustrations in this picture book soar with imagination. The text is rhyming. The illustrations are full of playful fantasy. I also feel like there’s a coziness that lends itself to a bedtime story. This book is sure to ignite imaginations wherever it is shared.
15. Roar for Reading
by Beth Ferry
illustrated by Andrew Joyner
ROAR FOR READING offers a child friendly discussion of book banning. Julius the lion is upset when some of his favorite books get removed from the bookshelf at the library. He feels a roar coming out and he just can’t stop it. Soon everyone is roaring about books being banned. The book ends with respectful ways kids can ROAR themselves. A timely, well told story about an important issue.
This is the very first post and theme in the A Read a Day Challenge – our super simple challenge for families to encourage a little extra reading. I thought it would be fun to share it again as we get ready to launch the new season of A Read A Day.
Click below to learn more about A Read A Day or find out how to join us for a new season of fun themes and reading.
