Books like 'Once Upon a Book'
Readers who enjoyed Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin & Kate Messner also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary fantasy action / adventure animals family children poc-mc low-fantasy magical-realism
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A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsDon Freeman's classic character, Corduroy, is even more popular today then he was when he first came on the scene over thirty years ago. These favorite titles are ready for another generation of children to love... -
![Si llevas un raton a la escuela by Laura Joffe Numeroff]()
Si llevas un raton a la escuela by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsThe Barnes & Noble ReviewBringing a plucky mouse to school isn't the wisest idea, no matter how much fun it might seem. Thankfully, the bestselling duo of author Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond -- creators of If You Take a Mouse to the Movies and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie -- have teamed up to show us the hijinks a whiskered school guest could cause... -
![The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher]()
The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe eagerly-anticipated sequel to Tom Fletcher's bestselling magical adventure, The Christmasaurus.'She is the best-kept Christmas secret of all,' whispered Santa Claus. 'Which is surprising, because she is so powerful that Christmas itself would not exist without her. She is older than time itself, yet still as young as tomorrow. She is known only as the Winter Witch... -
![Corduroy by Don Freeman]()
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsHave you ever dreamed of being locked in a department store at night? The endearing story of Corduroy paints a picture of the adventures that might unfold (for a teddy bear at least) in such a situation. When all the shoppers have gone home for the night, Corduroy climbs down from the shelf to look for his missing button...Categorized as:
animals children family poc-mc 20th-century action-adventure anthropomorphism audiobook -
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![The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell]()
The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDesperate to become a shark caller to avenge the death of her parents, Blue Wing is instead charged with befriending infuriating newcomer Maple. At first they are angry and out of sync with the island and each other...Categorized as:
animals magical-realism children poc-mc family low-fantasy middle-grade action-adventure -
![Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro]()
Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsIn the first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it’s up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what’s wrong...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism poc-mc action-adventure anthropomorphism -
![The Eyes and the Impossible: by Dave Eggers]()
The Eyes and the Impossible: by Dave Eggers
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe illustrated story of a dog who unwittingly becomes a hero to a park full of animals.Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison...Categorized as:
animals children magical-realism low-fantasy middle-grade fiction fantasy action-adventure -
![This Book Is Not Good for You by Pseudonymous Bosch]()
This Book Is Not Good for You by Pseudonymous Bosch
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBetween the pages of this book lies the secret to the best-tasting chocolate in all the world. I promise, your taste buds will tingle. Your palette will sing! Oh no, have I accidentally tempted you to read this book? I will warn you, however, the most delicious things are never good for you.. -
![Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss]()
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsThis is the diary... of a spider. But don't be worried – he's more scared of you and your gigantic shoe! Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents' Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind–catching lessons...Categorized as:
animals children family action-adventure anthropomorphism book children-books contemporary -
![The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper]()
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsThe story of a train filled with toys and gifts for little boys and girls that breaks down before reaching the children. After asking several passing trains for help over the hill, a little blue train agrees to help the stranded toys. Even though she is small, the blue train tries her best to bring the toys to the children on the other side of the hill... -
![Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin]()
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThis is the diary . . . of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not that different from you or me: He lives with his parents, plays with his friends, and even goes to school. But unlike you or me, he never has to take a bath, he gets to eat his homework, and because he doesn't have legs, he just can't do the hokey pokey -- no matter how hard he tries. Oh, and his head looks a lot like his rear end... -
![Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier by Michelle Cuevas]()
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier by Michelle Cuevas
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsA TIME magazine Top 10 Children's Book of 2015The whimsical "autobiography" of an imaginary friend who doesn't know he's imaginary--perfect for fans of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Toy StoryJaques Papier has the sneaking suspicion that everyone except his sister Fleur hates him...Categorized as:
children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure arthurian audiobook book -
![The Wild Book by Juan Villoro, Lawrence Schimel]()
The Wild Book by Juan Villoro, Lawrence Schimel
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom one of Mexico’s foremost authors comes a wondrous adventure story of a boy who goes to live with his kooky, book-obsessed uncle in a library where books have supernatural powers."We walked toward the part of the library where the air smelled as if it had been interred for years….Categorized as:
children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure audiobook book children-books -
![Chalk by Bill Thomson]()
Chalk by Bill Thomson
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThree children discover a magical bag of chalk on a rainy...Categorized as:
animals children low-fantasy magical-realism poc-mc action-adventure book children-books -
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![The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery, Laura Catalan]()
The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery, Laura Catalan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA heartwarming story about family, friendship and finding your inner fire.Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he's made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier.Because Cadno isn't just any fox: he's a firefox - the only one of his kind - and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail... -
![Demon Dentist by David Walliams]()
Demon Dentist by David Walliams
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThis New York Times bestseller from David Walliams, the UK’s #1 bestselling children’s author and “the heir to Roald Dahl” (The Spectator), launched his books stateside in a big way!Walliams makes going to the dentist a wacky adventure with his signature humor—this is one dentist appointment you don’t want to miss.Something strange is happening in Alfie's town...Categorized as:
children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure audiobook book children-books -
![If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroff]()
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratings"If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it..." If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit... and that's just the beginning... -
![If You Take a Mouse to the Movies: Book and Doll by Felicia Bond]()
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies: Book and Doll by Felicia Bond
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThe Barnes & Noble Review The creators of one of the most successful children's book series ever produced -- the writer-illustrator team of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond -- continue their If You Give A... series with yet another exploration of whimsical creatures -- a pushy mouse in this case -- and arbitrary whims... -
![The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg]()
The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"These figs are very special," the woman whispered. "They can make your dreams come true." -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack... -
![The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner]()
The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsCharlie feels like she's always coming in last. From her Mom's new job to her sister's life at college, everything seems more important than Charlie. Then one day while ice fishing, Charlie makes a discovery that will change everything . . . in the form of a floppy fish offering to grant a wish in exchange for freedom...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books -
![Gorilla by Anthony Browne]()
Gorilla by Anthony Browne
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAnthony Browne’s incomparable artwork illuminates the deeply satisfying story of a lonely girl, a friendly gorilla, and their enchanted night out.Hannah spends all of her time reading gorilla books, watching gorilla TV shows, and drawing gorilla pictures. She has gorillas on her bedside lamp and even on her box of cereal... -
![Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston]()
Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Supernatural Investigations series that began with Amari and the Night Brothers! Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Nevermoor.War has come to the supernatural world, and Amari’s two worst enemies are leading the charge... -
![Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar]()
Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThings are only impossible if you stop to think about them. . . .While her friends are spending their summers having pool parties and sleepovers, twelve-year-old Carolina — Carol — is spending hers in the middle of the New Mexico desert, helping her parents move the grandfather she’s never met into a home for people with dementia. At first, Carol avoids prickly Grandpa Serge... -
![Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman]()
Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsEveryone loves the little girl who wears a red-hooded cloak, but no one more than her grandmother. One day, Grandmother gets sick, and Little Red Riding Hood sets out to visit her, carrying a basket of food as a present... -
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![Guardians Inc.: The Four Legged Prophet: Guardians Incorporated #3 by Julian Rosado-Machain]()
Guardians Inc.: The Four Legged Prophet: Guardians Incorporated #3 by Julian Rosado-Machain
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGUARDIANS INC. BOOK 3 THE FOUR LEGGED PROPHET "The Four-Legged Prophet, Defender of the People, will lead us, will bind us . . ." Thus begins the ancient prophesy the Guardians discover deep within the Halls of Remembrance...Categorized as:
children low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books contemporary fiction -
![The Elephant's Tale by Lauren St. John]()
The Elephant's Tale by Lauren St. John
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen Martine and her grandmother discover that they might lose their game reserve, Sawubona, because of a clause in her grandfather's will, Martine and her best friend, Ben, decide to take matters into their own hands...Categorized as:
animals children low-fantasy action-adventure book children-books contemporary exploration -
![Brain Freeze: World Book Day 2018 by Tom Fletcher]()
Brain Freeze: World Book Day 2018 by Tom Fletcher
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA little girl discovers that eating ice cream from her grandfather's old ice-cream truck gives her the power to travel through time, in this brilliant, funny and heartwarming story from bestselling author Tom Fletcher...Categorized as:
children low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books contemporary fiction -
![The Last Leopard by Lauren St. John]()
The Last Leopard by Lauren St. John
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMartine can't wait to spend the school vacation riding her white giraffe around the Sawubona wildlife reserve with her friend Ben. But when her grandmother gets a distressed call from an old friend, Martine's hopes are dashed. They must all travel to Zimbabwe, where Martine will face her greatest challenge yet...Categorized as:
animals children low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure africa book children-books -
![The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson]()
The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship -- full of the heart, engaging characters, and propulsive, page-turning mystery that made The Goldfish Boy so beloved.Nate and his mother are running away. Fleeing from an emotionally abusive situation, they hide out in an abandoned cottage in the middle of a forest. Though it's old and run-down, at least it's a place of their own...Categorized as:
children family low-fantasy magical-realism abuse action-adventure book children-books -
![The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington]()
The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA magical adventure for fans of Katherine Applegate and Jennifer Holm about a girl with a mysterious connection to the elephant who saved her life.An elephant never forgets, but Lexington Willow can't remember her past. Swept away by a tornado as a toddler, she was dropped in a nearby Nebraska zoo, where an elephant named Nyah protected her from the storm... -
![Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young]()
Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAmerican Indian Youth Literature Award Best Middle Grade Book! Brian Young’s powerful debut novel tells of a seemingly ordinary Navajo boy who must save the life of a Water Monster—and comes to realize he’s a hero at heart... -
![Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John]()
Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJust as Martine is settling into life on the wildlife game reserve, she is whisked away on a school trip. She must leave her white giraffe, Jemmy, for 2 weeks! Her class is going on an ocean voyage to witness the Sardine Run, a spectacular natural phenomenon, off the coast of South Africa...Categorized as:
animals children low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure audiobook book children-books -
![What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford]()
What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA surprising, stunningly beautiful, and funny novel about a girl who turns invisible and, in the process, discovers who she really is, from the author of TIME TRAVELING WITH A HAMSTER Twelve-year-old Ethel Leatherhead only meant to cure her acne, not turn herself invisible. But that's exactly what happens when she combines herbs bought on the Internet with time spent in a secondhand tanning bed... -
![The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt, Dan Santat]()
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt, Dan Santat
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThree children and their hilariously subversive nanny pig embark on zany adventures in this award-winning middle grade debut illustrated by Caldecott winnter Dan Santat. The three Green children are cared for by a nanny pig... -
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![Imagine a Night by Sarah L. Thomson]()
Imagine a Night by Sarah L. Thomson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsImagine a night when you can ride your bike right up the stairs to your bed. Imagine a night when your toy train rumbles on its tracks out of your room and roars back in, full sized, ready for you to hop on for a nighttime adventure. Imagine a night when a farmer plays a lullaby on his fiddle, and his field of sunflowers begins to dip and sway to the rhythm...Categorized as:
children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books contemporary -
![A Dash of Magic by Kathryn Littlewood, Sascha Icks]()
A Dash of Magic by Kathryn Littlewood, Sascha Icks
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsRosemary Bliss will do anything to get back her family's magical Cookery Booke.That's why she challenges Aunt Lily to an international baking competition in Paris: If Rose wins, Lily agrees to return the cookery Booke that she stole. If Rose loses...well, the consequences are too ugly to think about.But Lily isn't playing fair--she's using a magical ingredient to cheat... -
![Catwings Return by Ursula K. Le Guin]()
Catwings Return by Ursula K. Le Guin
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWishing to visit their mother, the winged cats leave their new country home to return to the city, where they discover a winged kitten in a building imminently to be demolished...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London]()
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFroggy's mother knows that everyone's nervous on the first day of school. "Not me!" says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop -- flop flop flop. Froggy's exuberant antics, complete with sound effects, will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun."This is a great read-aloud with sounds and words that encourage active participation... -
![The Dark Talent by Brandon Sanderson]()
The Dark Talent by Brandon Sanderson
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsI, Alcatraz Smedry, proudly announce the last book of my autobiography, and was the hardest one for me to write. Because, in it—I’m not a hero. In fact, I’m the one who screwed everything up for everyone else.First off, my Talent for breaking things got a little out of hand, and I ended up destroying everyone else’s Talents... -
![Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett]()
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsAuthor(s): Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen ISBN: 9781406352481 Binding: Paperback Published: 2014-01-01 On a cold, dark day in a dull, grey town, little Annabelle discovers a box of brightly coloured yarn. She knits a cosy jumper to keep herself nice and toasty warm and finds, to her surprise, that she still has yarn left over...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books -
![Jane on Her Own by Ursula K. Le Guin]()
Jane on Her Own by Ursula K. Le Guin
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsJane, the youngest of the catwings, goes looking for adventure in the big city and captured!Longing for adventure, Jane, the youngest of the catwings, flies to the city on her own...Categorized as:
animals children low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure anthropomorphism audiobook book -
![Olivia Saves the Circus: With Audio Recording by Ian Falconer, Dame Edna Everage]()
Olivia Saves the Circus: With Audio Recording by Ian Falconer, Dame Edna Everage
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsStep into the ring with Olivia, where the lights are dim, the color soft, and a little girl's imagination is the main attraction.Olivia remembers her trip to the circus very well. The performers were out sick, so she had to do everything. She... -rode on a unicycle -jumped on a trampoline -juggled five balls! -tamed lions -and flew through the air... -
![Just South of Home by Karen Strong]()
Just South of Home by Karen Strong
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCousins Sarah and Janie unearth a tragic event in their small Southern town’s history in this witty middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Stella by Starlight, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, and As Brave as You.Twelve-year-old Sarah is finally in charge... -
![Sugar and Spite by Gail D. Villanueva]()
Sugar and Spite by Gail D. Villanueva
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCan a bully be defeated by a magical love potion?Jolina can't take Claudine's bullying any longer! The taunts and teasing are too much. Though Jolina knows she's still in training to use her grandfather's arbularyo magic, she sneaks into his potions lab to get her revenge. Jolina brews a batch of gayuma, a powerful love potion.And it works. The love potion conquers Claudine's hateful nature...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism poc-mc action-adventure asian-mc -
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![This Is Not a Werewolf Story by Sandra Evans]()
This Is Not a Werewolf Story by Sandra Evans
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is the story of Raul, a boy of few words, fewer friends, and almost no family. He is a loner—but he isn’t lonely. All week long he looks after the younger boys at One Of Our Kind Boarding School while dodging the barbs of terrible Tuffman, the mean gym teacher.Like every other kid in the world, he longs for Fridays, but not for the usual reasons. The woods have secrets...and so does Raul...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure boarding-school book -
![The Snow Rabbit by Camille Garoche]()
The Snow Rabbit by Camille Garoche
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTwo sisters look longingly through their window at the snowy sky. One goes out and sculpts a little rabbit, but when she brings it back inside to her wheelchair-bound sister, it begins to melt. So they take it outside and into the forest where enchanted things begin to happen. A follow up to her hauntingly beautiful Fox’s Garden, Camille Garoche (a.k.a...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books -
![Rain Forest Rose by Terri Farley]()
Rain Forest Rose by Terri Farley
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDarby wants to visit her great-grandmother, a mysterious healer who lives in the middle of the rain forest. But she's afraid of the dark woods until she sees a beautiful, elusive pink roan mustang roaming the forest.When Darby finally braves the forest and meets her new neighbors, she uncovers a secret tragedy one that led to a terrible fight between her two best friends... -
![The Legend of the Golden Snail by Graeme Base]()
The Legend of the Golden Snail by Graeme Base
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA young boy’s favorite storybook tells of a Golden Snail that lived long ago in the mythical Spiral Isles. When it journeyed through its magical realm, it took on the shape of a fantastical golden sailing ship. One day the ship was captured by a Great Enchanter and put under his spell... -
![The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer]()
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsInspired by C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, this wild and wondrous novel is a fairy tale for grown-ups who still knock on the back of wardrobes—just in case—from the author of The Wishing Game... -
![The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari]()
The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA heartfelt, beautifully written novel of love, loss, and math—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Sharon M. Draper.Ever since twelve-year-old Charlie Price's mom died, he feels like his world has been split into two parts. Before included stargazing and Mathletes and Saturday scavenger hunts with his family...Categorized as:
animals children family low-fantasy magical-realism action-adventure book children-books
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