The best picture books to inspire a love of reading

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a chocolate loving writer, goat yoga enthusiast, and author of several successful children’s books specializing in early learning, along with an award-winning line of gratitude coloring journals. I hope to inspire a love of reading through education and laughter. My latest book, Gomer the Gassy Goat has sold over 21,000 units since 2021, and was recently referenced in The New York Times about the importance of using humor in books for kids to inspire a love of reading. “Not every book has to reach a lesson. Sometimes it can just be fun.” - Mr. Price


I wrote...

Book cover of Gomer the Gassy Goat

What is my book about?

Gomer is a happy, silly, inquisitive goat, but he has one problem... he's a gassy goat. How will this affect Gomer's day? Follow this lovable character to find out in this humorous, build-upon, tongue-twisting story about a goat who farts a lotWhether he is making silly faces or farting during goat yoga, Gomer the Gassy Goat will have you laughing out loud before you can say, "Trendy-bendy, nosy, noisy, smiley, smelly, classy, silly, sassy, gassy goat!" 

Gomer the Gassy Goat helps to build language skills and inspires a love of reading through humor. Fun goat facts included.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Wonky Donkey

Hayley Rose Why did I love this book?

I love a book that makes me laugh and The Wonky Donkey does not disappoint! Like so many others, I discovered this book from a viral video of a Scottish grandmother reading to her grandson. She couldn’t stop laughing... I knew I had to have this book! 

Bonus... expressive illustrations, repetitive sentences, and a tongue-twister, this book is educational and great for beginning readers. A must-have for any home library.

By Craig Smith, Katz Cowley (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Wonky Donkey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

The Wonky Donkey picture book has sold over two million copies worldwide - it's the perfect gift! Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey? This hilarious book will have children - and adults - braying with laughter! Lyrical, laugh-out-loud story and beautiful illustrations Bright colours and a shiny, glossy cover 


Book cover of Steve the Dung Beetle on a Roll

Hayley Rose Why did I love this book?

Who doesn’t love a book about poop... Steve the Dung Beetle rolls this ball of dung past all the animals on the Savanah and along the way he teaches them why the dung beetle is so important to the environment. The illustrations are just fabulous and zookeepers write about the more endangered animals mentioned in the book. But I think the biggest plus are the poop jokes on the back of the book. Guaranteed laughs...

Book cover of Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems & Drawings

Hayley Rose Why did I love this book?

This book was my inspiration for reading and writing when I was young. Short comical stories with simple illustrations had me hooked. They grab you with the first line and keep you entertained. And stories are over before you know it and leave you wanting for more. Decades later, I can still recite my favorites.

A great storytime book that will be sure to get littles giggling.

By Shel Silverstein,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Where the Sidewalk Ends as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling author of The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and Every Thing On It, has created a poetry collection that is outrageously funny and deeply profound. Come in...for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. This special edition contains 12 extra poems. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow…


Book cover of I Need a New Butt!

Hayley Rose Why did I love this book?

This poor little boy thinks his butt is broken because there’s a crack at the back. Told in rhyme, little ones and adults alike will love the silliness of this book as the main character searches for a new butt. The giggles will be plenty... they were in our house.

By Dawn McMillan, Ross Kinnaird (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Need a New Butt! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 6, 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

Now a cute board book that's perfectly sized for small
children!
A young boy suddenly notices a big problem - his bum has
a huge crack!

So he sets off to find a new one.



Will he choose an armor-plated bum?

A rocket bum?

A robot bum?



Find out in this silly, quirky tale with hilarious illustrations.


Children and parents will love this
book - no ifs, ands, or butts about
it!

An international bestseller

Hilarious story and illustrations




COLLECT THE
SERIES



I Need a New Bum (picture paperback, board book)

I've Broken My Bum! (picture paperback)

My Bum Is…


Book cover of Dragons Love Tacos

Hayley Rose Why did I love this book?

Just the title alone, Dragons Love Tacos, makes you want to giggle. This book is the perfect guide to help you throw a party for all your dragon friends. But remember, as much as dragons love tacos, they absolutely hate spicy salsa.  So what could go wrong?!

Beautifully illustrated, young kids will love this cute book full of humor with a surprising twist of kindness at the end. 

By Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Dragons Love Tacos as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon, this deliciously funny read-aloud is an unforgettable tale of new friends and the perfect snack that will make you laugh until spicy salsa comes out of your nose.

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You're in red-hot trouble.…


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Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

Book cover of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

Linda MacKillop Author Of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

For decades I have volunteered in different capacities, helping the hurting and those living on the margins by tutoring and teaching literacy to the formally incarcerated or homeless, teaching parenting in a maximum-security jail, and teaching ESL to resettled immigrants. Because my own suburban father fell into homelessness at the end of his life due to depression, job losses, divorce, and more, I feel tremendous compassion for anyone in this situation. And as the mother of four grown sons, we filled our home with books—especially books that taught compassion so our sons would grow into men with big hearts towards others. I believe we succeeded.

Linda's book list on hard family circumstances for middle-grade readers

What is my book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

What is this book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be. 

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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