7 Picture Books That Won’t Annoy You As Much the 84th Time Your Kid Asks You to Read Them, or You Can Blame This Librarian
Any book is going to get old once you’ve read it for the umpteenth time. But for every universally annoying character (looking at you, Caillou), there are hundreds of books that kids will love reading again and again that will drive their adults just a little less nuts (and maybe there’s a murderous twist in one, maybe there isn’t).
Librarian recommendations can’t help you get more sleep, but we can help get a Pete the Cat song or two out of your head by mixing it up with these fun titles (and if one of these is the current source of your misery, well, there’s always TV).
A book about the cure for grumpiness, which turns out to be silly hats and friendship. Also a self-help book idea that I’m putting up for grabs.
The Airport Book by Lisa Brown
Great for the travel obsessed child, or when planning for a first trip. Lots of hidden details to spot in the illustrations with repeat readings, including the journey of a lost friend.
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan A. Shea
Lift-the-flap books tend to be a hit, and this one teaches a little about properties of matter in fun, rhyming text (don’t @ me, physicists).
The perfect summer book about being brave. Might mean you’ll have to go to the pool, sorry indoor people.
When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Every kid is obsessed with their birthday, and every adult loves pretending they don’t like their birthday. Read a book, dream about cake.
Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Jean Jullien
Very silly costumes, optional dramatic voices, and no one gets hurt (except for maybe a pizza). The silliest by far on this list and a good palate cleanser to the Batman Easy Reader you’re pretending is lost so you can move on thematically.
I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean! By Kevin Sherry
A boastful fish gets what’s coming with bright and bold illustrations, and might have you asking: does it still count as murder if it’s done by a whale?
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