As the father of a (currently) 11-year-old boy, and having been a boy once myself, I understand that mischief-makers can be a pain in the neck and drive adults crazy. But today’s little mischief-makers are tomorrow’s independent thinkers. And we cannot expect children to channel their rambunctious energies into positive outcomes without first giving them the tools to do so. That’s why I wrote Stop and Smell the Cookies, so that readers can actually take control before their emotions get the better of them. It’s also why I compiled this list. Perhaps, if the main characters in these stories had stopped and smelled the cookies, some of them might have avoided their literary fates. Enjoy!
All of Maurice Sendak’s protagonists can be accused of making mischief, and feeling the pain afterward. How can you not sympathize with Max in Where the Wild Things Are or admire the sass of Really Rosie? But Pierre takes the cake for his obstinate indifference to the world. A cautionary tale for any child who just doesn’t care.
(Fun fact: One of my oldest friends in the world, Michael Perilstein, played the Lion in the off-Broadway production of Really Rosie in which Maurice Sendak’s Pierre was set to music by the great singer/songwriter Carole King.)
Olivia has style and flair, just like all the great pigs. (Porky, Peppa, Piglet, Wilbur, and Babe, to name a few.) Whether inspired by the music of Maria Callas, the paintings of Degas or Pollack, or even just the sand at the beach, Olivia’s mischievous creativity manifests itself in art of her own, singular making. Her parents love her anyway. Fortunately, she loves her parents anyway too.
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Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. A Caldecott Honor Book. 20,000 first printing.
This book has my favorite mischief-makers: monkeys! But what I love about these little imps is that, like all great antagonists, their actions are not out of malice; they are just being themselves. This book is also a great lesson to humans, teaching us that, in times of great frustration, sometimes to overcome our obstacles, we just need to take a different approach. It’s no wonder Ms. Slobodkina’s book has been a classic for over 80 years.
Caps for Sale is a timeless classic beloved by millions...one of the most popular picture books ever published! Children will delight in following the peddler's efforts to outwit the monkeys and will ask to read it again and again. Caps for Sale is an excellent easy-to-read book that includes repetition, patterns, and colors, perfect for early readers. This tale of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with warmth, humor, and simplicity and also teaches children about problem and resolution.
Since primates make the best mischief-makers, it was inevitable that this book would end up on the list. As with Olivia, these animals, led by their fearless friend Gorilla, are driven by their curiosity. Just what is it like to sleep in a house? Their downfall comes because they are too polite and wish Mrs. Zookeeper a good night. I love that she’s so patient with them that she walks them all back to their enclosures, even holding Gorilla’s hand.
The ultimate bedtime read from the award-winning author of The Day the Babies Crawled Away.
'Good night, Gorilla,' says the night watchman as he finishes his rounds at the zoo. But Gorilla has other ideas, deftly pick-pocketing the watchman's keys and letting himself out of his cage, whilst letting Elephant, Lion, Hyena, Giraffe and Armadillo out too! The weary watchman makes his way home and into bed ... unaware that his friends from the zoo are right behind him!
Beautifully crafted illustrations and a calming, easy-to-follow text make this zoo story a delight for toddlers and young children aged 2+.…
Since many mischief-makers in literature (and the majority of this list) are animals, why not offer one more? I love, again, how all of the characters in this story are so polite. This book makes it into my top five because every time I read it, I find myself smiling the whole time and then completely shocked by the ending. As a kid, I pushed the boundaries whenever I could. Some would say I still do. But I remember one grownup, who busted me for some benevolent prank I tried to pull, told me, “Sometimes you bite the bear. Sometimes the bear bites you.” I guess there are consequences to not telling the truth.
A bear searches for his missing hat in the bestselling, multiple award-winning picture book debut of Jon Klassen.
In his bestselling debut picture book, the multiple award-winning Jon Klassen, illustrator of This Is Not My Hat and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, tells the story of a bear who's hat has gone. And he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no (some more elaborately than others). But just as it he begins to lose hope, lying flat on his back in…
I grew up reading Stephen King and Michael Crichton. That combination of horror and techno-thriller greatly impacted my writing style and genre. I love a page-turner and chapters that end with a cliffhanger. I love that creepy feeling of dread that washes over you when engrossed in a scary scene. I love when you put a book down for the night, turn off the light, and then wince when you hear a strange noise in the other room. I love a story that's so believable that you can't help but wonder, "Could this happen...maybe even to me?" If you do, too, you may enjoy my books.
The Stormy Night is the first in a series of nine children's books for ages 8-12. The stories follow two dogs–a senior, disabled dog and a newly adopted puppy–as they learn to become friends and family.
The Adventures of Lucky and Mr. Pickle series are chapter books, not picture books. Parents can read to younger children until they can read for themselves. Each book tackles subjects that may ring true for blended and or adopted families. Also, kids who love dogs will love these stories as they are filled with hope, adventure, and excitement. Most importantly, each book has a…
The Adventures of Lucky and Mr. Pickle: The Stormy Night
Adoptions can be scary and confusing. For everyone.
Lucky, a senior dog with a disability, has his world turned upside down when a newly adopted puppy named Mr. Pickle is brought home. The highly energetic pup is scared and confused by his new surroundings and desperately wants to return to his original family. Things only get worse when Papa leaves them home alone, and a big storm shakes the house, sending both dogs searching for safety.
Fun and frenzy await them as they learn to work together. They are different in breed, age, size, shape, and color, but will that…
A picture book about a rambunctious boy who learns to manage his big feelings.
Sometimes Dash gets so excited that his chest feels warm and fuzzy, his toes dance, and his fingertips tickle the air. When that starts, he can’t seem to control what he does next, and often, trouble follows. Luckily, with a little help, Dash finds a way to slow himself down when big feelings threaten to take over. This joyous book engages the imagination and relaxes the mind, perfect for those who are impulsive like Dash, those who hold in their feelings, and everyone in between.
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