Some Quick Notes and A Call for Titles

Before I get to the main part of the post, a quick story, because it’s been a while since I embarrassed my kids.

After school today, my boys took part in a Halloween party. Normally, this wouldn’t be much to comment about. However, things never seem to travel along a normal path around here. To that end, I present a timeline of pertinent events:

  1. I wake the boys up at the regular hour, plenty of time to shower, dress, and choose costumes.
  2. I lay out ‘regular’ school clothes for The Little One.
  3. The Little One chooses to bring his stormtrooper costume for the party.
  4. The boys head off to school.
  5. The wife arrives at the party, gathers the boys and brings them home.
  6. We realize that, not only has The Little One lost his shirt at some point during the day, but he is also no longer wearing any underwear.

I wish that I could say that I have no idea how these types of things happen, but I can’t. I do know. Because stormtroopers don’t wear sweaters. And they apparently also don’t wear underwear. He was going for the authentic look. And I love him for it. Anyway, on to the rest of the post.

I need book titles. And, not just any titles. I’m looking for KidLit books that utilize interactive and inventive ways to engage readers. For example: Warning: Do Not Open This Book engages the reader directly through the narration. Press Here engages readers in a more physical way, twisting and turning the book. I have a few favorites, but I am looking for more examples. Especially any examples that are not picture books, although I’d love to hear your picture book titles as well.

So, here is my call to action, add one or more titles in the comment sections below and you just might get mentioned in my workshop. Thanks in advance for the help.

6 Comments

  1. Bonny Becker on October 29, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    An obvious, but very fun one, is Battle Bunny by Jon Sciezska and Mac Barnett. I particularly like the use of on-line templates of the original bunny book that kids can download and happily deface and repost.

  2. YvonneJ on October 29, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    I used to be our library’s ‘story lady’ and still fill in on occasion so most of the interactive books that I’m aware of are picture books. The first book that comes to mind is Can You Make a Scary Face by Jan Thomas. Another favorite is The Purple Kangaroo by Michael Ian Black.

  3. Marcie Haloin on October 30, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Klausmeier, Jesse (2013) Open This Little Book, illustrated by Suzy Lee, San Francisco: Chronicle books.
    I may think of others, but that was the most recent one to come to mind.

  4. Stacy Couch on October 30, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    Oh, can only think of PB’s. But awesome ones.

    There are no cats in this book! by Viviane Schwarz
    Once Upon A Cool Motorcycle Dude by O’Malley/Heyer/Goto
    Chester by Melanie Watt

    And remember those Choose Your Own Adventure books? Love to do that in a PB!

  5. The Styling Librarian on October 31, 2013 at 1:48 am

    I love The Secret Knowledge of Grownups by David Wisniewski and the sequel, witty and awesome illustrations. I also love The Problem with the Puddles by Kate Feiffer and The Pepins and their Problems by Polly Horvath. Very similar novels but both engage the reader a little different than other novels… 🙂 I’m sure you’ve heard of the new picture book that’s like Press Here called Tap the Magic Tree by Christy Matheson, pretty special.

  6. Kathy Ellen Davis on November 2, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
    Go away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberely
    Choose your own adventure books for older kids
    Andrew Drew and Drew by Barney Saltzberg has fun flaps to open
    Herve Tullet has a bunch of fun ones, one of my favorites being one where your fingers are the star of the show, “The Finger Circus”
    I also like ones where kids have to search for things.

    I can only think of Adele and Simon right now by Barbara McClintock.
    Hope these help!

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