Books like 'Red: A Crayon's Story'
Readers who enjoyed Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
lgbtq humor children friendship family bullying social-commentary poc-mc coming-of-age trans-mc
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When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhen Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life... -
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved... -
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsMolly Lou Melon is different, but this doesn't slow her down... -
Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFrustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city...Categorized as:
realistic family children poc-mc bullying friendship social-commentary children-books -
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Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsJeremy yearns for a pair of the black high-top sneakers all the kids are wearing, but his grandmother can't afford them so he makes do with a pair from the box of cast-offs in the school guidance office. To his amazement and delight, Jeremy finds a too-small pair of the prized shoes on a visit to the thrift shop and hopes they will stretch to fit his feet...Categorized as:
bullying children coming-of-age family friendship poc-mc realistic social-commentary -
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSome books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant book of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace... -
Boynton's Greatest Hits The Big Yellow Box (Boxed Set): The Going to Bed Book; Horns to Toes; Opposites; But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThese four favorite board books from beloved and bestselling Sandra Boynton are now available in one hilarious set!The Big Yellow Box is a perfect collection for terrific little kids... -
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA beautiful lyrical story that introduces the concept of individuality, accepting of others differences, and respect for those around us.This is a tale about conformism and individualism, as Mr. Plumbean's expression of creativity and individuality challenges his neighbor's ideas about the importance of having a “neat street.” By repainting his house to reflect his colorful dreams, Mr... -
My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsGerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In My New Friend Is So Fun! Piggie is having so much fun with her new friend... -
Someday by Alison McGhee, Peter H. Reynolds
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA mother's love leads to a mother's dream—every mother's dream—for her child to live life to its fullest. A deceptively simple, powerful ode to the potential of love and the potential in life, Someday is the book you'll want to share with someone else... today. The perfect gift for Mother's Day, Graduation Day or any day—share a copy with every special person in your life... -
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, Judy Love
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsEveryone knows the jumble of feelings as the first day of school approaches -- especially if it's the first day at a new school... -
Listen to My Trumpet! by Mo Willems
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsGerald is careful. Piggie is not.Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.Gerald and Piggie are best friends... -
Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen a young girl has to move countries and start at a new school, her fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn't understand anyone? Surely no one else feels the same way...From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Journey, this insightful and delicately told story shows that we can all find friendship and comfort when we share our fears... -
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book with a message of acceptance and unity. In the beginning, there were three colors . . .Reds,Yellows,and Blues.All special in their own ways, all living in harmony--until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle... -
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I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA New York Times best-selling masterpiece featuring a sing-song rhyming text and humorous energetic illustrations about a spirited child and outside-the-box, creative thinking... -
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsHigh on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves--inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters.At once silly and serious, Karen Beaumont's joyous rhyming text and David Catrow's wild illustrations unite in a book that is sassy, soulful--and straight from the heart... -
Eyes That Weave the World's Wonders by Joanna Ho, Liz Kleinrock
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom New York Times bestselling Joanna Ho, of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, and award-winning educator Liz Kleinrock, comes a powerful companion picture book about adoption and family. A young girl who is a transracial adoptee learns to love her Asian eyes and finds familial connection and meaning through them, even though they look different from her parents’... -
What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFirst recorded in 1967 by Louis Armstrong, and with sales of over one million copies, "What a Wonderful World" has become a poignant message of hope for people everywhere. Sweet and positive in its message, with bright, beautiful art, this book is sure to be a hit... -
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhether you have two mums, two dads, one parent, or one of each, there's one thing that makes a family a family... and that's love. A book for EVERY family by dazzling illustrator Sophie Beer... -
Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsBathe the floor? Sweep the dishes? This riotous romp of a picture book follows a frantic family as they try to get some chores done—with no help from the family cat, who keeps scrambling the list of chores with hilarious effects. Get ready for a rollicking read-aloud with a truly purrfect ending.It's cleaning day, but the family cat will do anything to avoid getting a bath... -
David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWhen David gets in trouble, he always says . . . "NO! It's not my fault! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!"Whatever the situation, David's got a good excuse. And no matter what he's done "wrong," it's never really his fault. Soon, though, David realizes that making excuses makes him feel bad, and saying he's sorry makes him feel better... -
Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsPull on the bottoms. Put on the top. Get yourself set to pajama-dee-bop—it's Pajama Time!'Pajama Time!' is a good-night book with the irrepressible language, the inimitable illustrations, the irresistible cast of characters only Sandra Boynton could create. It’s time to head to bed to the beat!Come see a jump-roping chicken and a pig on a swing.. -
My Mouth Is A Volcano by Julia Cook
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTeaching children how to manage their thoughts and words without interrupting.Louis always interrupts! All of his thoughts are very important to him, and when he has something to say, his words rumble and grumble in his tummy, they wiggle and jiggle on his tongue and then they push on his teeth, right before he ERUPTS (or interrupts)... -
Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJillian Jiggs-- who spends most of her time making up games and playing dress-up-- is much too busy to clean her... -
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If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIf animals kissedlike we kiss good night,Giraffe and his calfwould stretch their necks highand kiss just beneaththe top of the sky. In a cozy bedtime chat with her mom, a young girl wonders how animal families might say good night. Would Wolf and his pup “kiss and then HOWL”? Would Bear and her cub “kiss and then GROWL”? But what about Sloth and her baby? They move soooo slooowwwww . . -
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective. Seven-year-old Lena is going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades... -
Chez Bob by Bob Shea
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFrom the hilarious author of Who Wet My Pants?, Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great, and the Dinosaur Vs. series comes a kid-pleasing read-aloud about a devious alligator who learns to love! Welcome to Chez Bob, which seems like a real restaurant ... until you realize .. -
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsAs everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes. . . -
The Sandwich Swap by Rania Al-Abdullah, Kelly DiPucchio
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsLily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus--but what's that between friends? It turns out, a lot. Before they know it, a food fight breaks out... -
Just a Little Critter Collection by Mercer Mayer
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCelebrate 40 years of Little Critter® with seven classic stories in one book, including: Just for You (the very first Little Critter® story!); Just Go to Bed; All by Myself; I Was So Mad; When I Get Bigger; Just a Mess; and I Just Forgot. This 176-page hardcover collection is a wonderful way to introduce Mercer Mayer’s beloved tales of growing up to a whole new generation... -
David Goes to School by David Shannon
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsNo, David!David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader... -
Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsFancy Nancy celebrates a decade—that's fancy for ten years!—in this special anniversary edition of the first Fancy Nancy picture book by the New York Times bestselling team of Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. This extra-fancy edition features a link to a free downloadable song from Fancy Nancy the Musical and includes a sheet of lyrics to the song in the back of the book... -
Sweety by Andrea Zuill
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn Indie Next List Top 10 Pick! From the author of WOLF CAMP comes the story of a charming, mushroom-loving, headgear-wearing, totally awkward naked mole rat who is looking for like-minded peeps. Sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat. She has protruding front teeth, thick glasses, and some very unusual hobbies, including interpretive dance and fungus identification... -
Oh, Valentine, We've Lost Our Minds! by Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA.J. and the gang from My Weird School star in this series of after-school, holiday-themed chapter books featuring all-new hilarious stories and thirty-two pages of games, puzzles, and more.It's the week of Valentine's Day, and A.J.'s class is getting a foreign exchange student! His name is Pierre, and he's from France. But what happens when Pierre challenges A.J... -
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What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsGender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends in this sweet and timely picture book from Elana K. Arnold and Linda Davick.Riley wears whatever clothes feel right each day. On Monday, Riley feels shy and wears a bunny costume to school. On Tuesday, a scary trip to the dentist calls for a super hero cape... -
Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ness
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsJonathan Van Ness, the star of Netflix's hit show Queer Eye, brings his signature humor and positivity to his empowering first picture book, inspiring readers of all ages to love being exactly who they are.Peanut Goes for the Gold is a charming, funny, and heartfelt picture book that follows the adventures of Peanut, a gender nonbinary guinea pig who does everything with their own personal flare... -
Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA host of silly animals in dozens of combinations demonstrate all kinds of nontraditional families! Cleverly depicted as framed portraits, these goofy creatures offer a warm celebration of family love.From the Hardcover edition... -
Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFox wishes he were a tiger. Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one!Soon Turtle and Rabbit are joining in the fun... -
Down by the Bay by Raffi
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRaffi's hilarious version of the classic song about strange events that happen down by the bay, where the watermelons grow...Singing supports and encourages even the youngest child's speech and listening skills, which makes Down by the Bay perfect for early learning... -
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, the New York Times bestselling team behind Today I Feel Silly and I’m Gonna Like Me, bring us a tender and funny picture book for every parent and child. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a special celebration of the love and joy an adopted child creates for a family... -
Bird Hugs by Ged Adamson
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBernard isn’t like other birds. His wings are impossibly long, and try as he might, he just can’t seem to fly. He’s left wondering what his wings are good for…if they’re even good for anything at all. But a chance encounter with a dejected orangutan leads Bernard to a surprising discovery: that maybe what makes him different is actually something to be embraced... -
Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt's the first day of school, and Ruby is new. When her classmate Angela wears a red bow in her hair, Ruby comes back from lunch wearing a red bow, too. When Angela wears a flowered dress, suddenly Ruby's wearing one, too... -
Nanette's Baguette by WILLEMS MO
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNanette's Baguette, follows our plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But . . -
Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom New York Times bestselling author Sherman Alexie and Caldecott Honor winning Yuyi Morales comes a striking and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating the special relationship between father and son. Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name...one that's all his own. Dad is known as big Thunder, but little thunder doesn't want to share a name... -
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All by Myself by Mercer Mayer
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsMercer Mayer's Little Critter wants to show you all the things he can do for himself in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book.Whether he's tying his shoes, coloring a picture, or riding his bike, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story... -
We're going to be friends by Jack White
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Possibly the greatest-ever song about childhood BFFs.” — Entertainment Weekly"We're Going to be Friends" is one of The White Stripes most enduring and loved songs. With the help of illustrator Elinor Blake, the perennial favorite feels right at home on the page as a children's book. Join Suzy Lee as she goes to school with her books and pens, looks for bugs, shows and tells, and finds a friend... -
My Lame Life: Queen of the Misfits by Jen Mann
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Jen Mann has written a hilarious and heartwarming story for fans of Meg Cabot and Rainbow Rowell. My name is Plum Parrish, I'm fourteen, and I'm pretty sure I'm invisible. Not like super power invisible, more like loser invisible. There's a big difference... -
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom the Creators of Hair Like Mine, Skin Like Mine, the second book in the Kids Like Mine Series, is a fun, easy-to- read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry... -
The World's Best Class Plant by Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAn irresistible picture book about a boy and his classmates who long for a class pet, but discover the joys and rewards of nurturing a class plant.Room 107 has a cockatiel. Room 108 has a chinchilla. Even the Art Room has a bearded dragon. But in Room 109, Arlo's classroom, there is a plant. A mostly green, hardly growing, never moving plant... -
Dog's First Baby by Natalie Nelson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI am a dog.Are you a dog?Welcoming a new baby to the family isn’t always easy. When his humans bring home someone new, Dog is determined to sniff out the truth. Is this arrival another dog, or something else? As Dog investigates, he might just find a new friend in this loud, silly creature.With Dog’s First Baby, Natalie Nelson captures the wonder and humor of a new baby through a dog’s eyes...
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