I think it’s essential for children to try out new behavior in a safe place. Like it or not, this probably means at home, on you, the parent. It’s a child’s way of spreading their wings; trying out new personalities and traits. A safe way to experiment is important because your child knows that you will always love her or him no matter what. But a book can also be a safe way to try out new behavior as a reader if you talk about the book in the context of how it makes you both feel.
The Day Leo Said I Hate You is from Robie H. Harris who writes many of the sex ed I posted on previously (It’s So Amazing is an amazing book and highly recommended by moms!). I think all my kids went through a phase where I was “The Worst Mommy in the Whole World!” The power of “I Hate You” is nicely done in this book and much more fun to discuss than when directed in anger at me.
So I built this list around The Day Leo Said I Hate You as my inspiration book, and found 9 other books in which kids are trying out the new behavior. What was really interesting to me was how many of the illustrators from one great book, also wrote their own wonderful book that falls into this category. That’s kismet! We start and end with a Bang! (Molly Bang!)
I hope you enjoy these books with your children as well as the joys of your children trying out new behaviors. Is this a phase or a lifelong endeavor? Is this what we call a mid-life crisis? What do you think? Please leave me a comment!
Top 10 Books of Kids Trying Out New Behavior
10. The Day Leo Said I Hate You by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Molly Bang
My six-year-old son loves this book. While he has said, “I Hate You” to me many, many times, I usually hear that “I’m the Worst Mommy in the World.” It was interesting when Leo said this, my son was shocked and said he would never say this to me, his beloved mommy. So I gently had to remind him that, indeed, he did say this to me. It made him stop and think about the power of his words. [picture book, age 3 and up]
9. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
My middle daughter who is trying at times loves, loves, loves Pippi Longstocking. She’s the girl who gets to try out any kind of behavior she wants with NO consequences. So, I guess this book falls in the category of … FANTASY! Nevertheless, this is a classic that endures! [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
8. Curious George series by Margaret and H. A. Rey
Sometimes it’s easier when an animal gets to try out new tempting-but-bad behavior. And Curious George is so human-like, and frankly, little boy-like that he is the perfect “safe” substitute. Who wouldn’t want to steal a wheelchair and go down a ramp as fast as possible? Or climb up a dinosaur skeleton? Or go to the moon? This is another classic picture book series that endures. [picture book, age 4 and up]
7. How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon
I don’t know any little boy who doesn’t love this book, mine included. Being a pirate looks fun with no rules or teeth brushing, but it’s not so fun at bedtime! [picture book, age 4 and up]
6. No, David! by David Shannon
The book jacket says that David Shannon wrote this very book when he was a young boy after being tired of being told no all day long by his parents. The initial concept book was a book filled with the word “No!” It doesn’t surprise me! He’s such a talented author and illustrator. My kids all loved this book and though the words are pretty minimal, they loved figuring out from the illustrations what David was doing that was naughty. p.s. They especially loved it when David walked to school without his pants! [picture book, age 4 and up]
5. Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg
I think that Chris Van Allsburg is another one of those authors incapable of creating a bad book. The artwork alone is enough to buy this book, but the story is great too. Two ants decide to play hooky after a run for sugar. They stay behind and have the worst day ever! When the other ants come back that night, are they ever glad to rejoin the line? [picture book, age 4 and up]
4. Best, Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Sometimes it’s hard to be gracious when your best friend gets all the attention because it’s her birthday so something catty just slips out. That’s just the way girls roll. Luckily, at preschool at least, this is all fixable! [picture book, age 3 and up]
3. Finally by Wendy Mass
This story has two cautionary themes running through it: Be careful what you wish for! and What Comes Around Goes Around. [middle grade, ages 8 and up] I have a post on it here.
2. Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lily is an icon. At the Wheelock Theater, this book is now a play. And what is not to love about Lily? Of all the mice characters in children’s literature, she has one of the strongest personalities and there is some pretty stiff competition: Mickey Mouse, Stuart Little, and more! In this book, Lily has trouble waiting her turn to share her new gifts from her Grammy. She has a bad day and hates her usually beloved teacher for a few hours, but all is well in the end. [picture book, age 4 and up]
1. When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
This book won a lot of awards and at first, I really didn’t get it. I guess it was because my oldest child does not have an explosive temper. But my second does as do many kids who need a complete 360-degree head rotating meltdown to center themselves. I love her illustrations and this book now comes with a CD. But isn’t it interesting how AFTER the meltdown the same child who seemed like the devil incarnate is a beautifully behaving angel? It’s very cathartic, a meltdown! [picture book, age 4 and up]
p.s. Related posts:
Books for Kids about Entrepreneurship
My Dorm Room Start Up Celebrates 35 Years & Entrepreneurship Children’s Books
Picture Books About Strong, Independent Female Artists
10 Diverse Picture Books on Fine Artists!
Great STEM Picture Books paired with Fun Activities
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Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
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- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
All 3 of my kids love “How I became a pirate”. And it’s a real pleasure to read aloud.
Another book about ‘naughty’ behavior that my 4 year-old daughter just loves is ‘Don’t do that, Kitty Kilroy!’. Unfortunately, I think she can relate to Kitty far too well…
Great list, thanks!!!
Michelle
Thank you so much! I don’t know Don’t Do That, Kitty Kilroy so thank you for the introduction to that book. I will try to find it so I can add it to the list! Thanks again!
Fantastic list indeed. I haven’t heard of some of these books – and they all look smashing, so thanks for sharing.
Another possible addition is “Harriet, you’ll drive me wild” by Mem Fox.
Read Aloud Dad
Thank you for compiling a great list! I’m going to check some of these out for my daughter.
P.S. I loved Pippi Longstocking when I was little! I’m glad she’s still popular.
Thanks MIa-
Lots of favorites, but I can’t wait to read Best, Best, Friends. It seems like it would be perfect for CES!
Jen
Best Best Friends would be perfect for a preschool! It seems to be set in preschool (or maybe Kindergarten in really old fashioned schools!). Thanks for stopping by!