Are you searching for engaging books to deepen your child's literacy skills? Here are 27 books for kids of all ages to help them make comparisons and understand figurative language in an accessible way. You'll want to add all of these books to your family library!
1. The Important Book
The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown is my favorite book to teach figurative language and to help build rapport with students. Margaret Wise Brown, the New York Times bestselling author poses thought-provoking questions about the importance of everyday objects. With vivid illustrations by Leonard Weisgard, The Important Book shows children just how important everyday objects can be.
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2. Raining Cats and Dogs
Raining Cats and Dogs by Will Moses is an engaging read for children in K-3rd grades. The story is filled with luminous illustrations, funny similes, and cultural idioms your kiddos will surely remember!
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3. Crazy like a Fox: A Simile Story
Crazy like a Fox: A Simile Story by Loreen Leedy is a wonderful book to teach similes to elementary students. This book is a staple in reading programs across the U.S. and will be a great addition to your family library.
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4. My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks
My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven is a fun picture book that teaches comparison in the context of home life. It's full of funny illustrations and activities to help your child use objects to represent personality traits. Children of all ages will be inspired to make their own family portraits after reading this book.
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5. Quick as a Cricket
Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood is a book on similes full of vivid pictures that depict the joy of growing up. It's a story about self-awareness and acceptance. A young boy describes himself as "loud as a lion," "quiet as a clam," "tough as a rhino," and "gentle as a lamb." Readers across grade levels will delight in the playful language and illustrations.
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6. Stubborn as a Mule
Stubborn as a Mule by Nancy Loewen makes similes fun and lives on teacher book lists all over the U.S. This introduction to figure of speech is perfect for language-lovers and children who love to laugh! This memorable book choice will be a hit with your kids.
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7. The King Who Rained
The King Who Rained by Fred Gwynne follows a young girl who misunderstands her parents’ expressions in an imaginative and humorous way. This beautiful, laugh-out-loud book will surely keep your kid entertained!
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8. Saturdays and Teacakes (Nonfiction)
Saturdays and Teacakes by Lester Laminack is a picture book memoir of a boy and his beloved grandmother. Chris Soentpiet's realistic watercolor images float off the page as the writer relives his idyllic childhood and spent quality time with grandma. This beautiful book compares the comfort of food with the love we feel for those who cook for us!
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9. Muddy as a Duck Puddle
Muddy as a Duck Puddle by Laurie Lawlor is a playful book filled with similes that will put a smile on your child's face. The hilarious A-Z similes and illustrations includes the author's notes on the origins of the expressions.
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10. Even More Parts: Idioms
Even More Parts: Idioms By Ted Arnold is filled with hilarious and bold illustrations that teach figures of speech. This sequel to the wildly popular Parts and More Parts will keep your child entertained.
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11. Skin Like Milk, Hair Like Silk
Skin Like Milk, Hair Like Silk by Brian P. Cleary is a delight to read aloud. The classic book for teaching idioms helps students deepen their understanding of the power of words and expand their vocabulary.
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12. Your Name is a Song
Your Name is a Song By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Luisa Uribe is an award-winning book that tells the tale of a girl whose name is difficult to pronounce. Yet, when she comes home, her mom teaches her the power and beauty of her unique name.
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13. The Butter Battle Book
The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss's classic cautionary tale, uses figures of speech to teach young readers the importance of respecting differences. This is a perfect family story for kids of all ages!
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14. How to Make a Shark Smile
How to Make a Shark Smile by renowned Positive Psychologist and writer Shawn Anchors teaches kids the power of having a positive growth mindset. The story includes powerful similes and includes happiness exercises.
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15. Noisy Night
Noisy Night By Mac Barnett and illustrated by Brian Biggs is an engaging story that teaches figures of speech like simile, metaphor, and onomatopoeia. Young readers follow a young boy who wakes up to hear strange noises which he interprets in an imaginative and fun way.
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16. Hear the Wind Blow
Hear the Wind Blow By Doe Boyle and illustrated by Emily Paik highlights the stages of the Beaufort wind scale using poetry to make science beautiful and accessible.
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17. Owl Moon
Owl Moon is a captivating story of a family that learns about owls. Distinguished author Jane Yolen tells a poetic story that shows how the loving relationship between a father and daughter compares to the natural world. John Schoenherr's soft vivid watercolor illustrations make this a perfect bedtime story for families.
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18. Dreamers
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales tells the story of a mother and child who make a new home for themselves in America. Morales uses powerful figures of speech to illustrate the experience of many families.
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19. Firebird
Firebird By Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers is an award-winning book that uses figurative language to capture the idea of aspiration. It tells the story of a young girl who wants to be a ballerina like Misty Copeland and compares a firebird to the passion for a dream that can live within.
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20. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors By Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Adam Rex is a comical story that personifies objects in an engaging way. This fun book is great for students in 2nd grade and up.
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21. Knot Cannot
Knot Cannot By Tiffany Stone and illustrated by Mike Lowery will make your kids laugh out loud. The story explores how hilarious and odd the English language can be.
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22. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration
Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon is a celebration of language! This award-winning book has colorful illustrations that will teach your children about diversity and identity.
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23. My School is a Zoo
My School is a Zoo by Stu Smith is a captivating tale of a boy whose imagination runs wild at school. This action-packed book will certainly entertain your kiddos!
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24. The Moon is a Silver Pond
The Moon is a Silver Pond teaches figurative language in a visually captivating way. It follows a young child's foray into nature and explores the beauty of imagination and connecting to nature.
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25. The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry is an excellent picture book that reminds us all of the power of friendship and the joy of helping others. It tells the story of two unlikely friends who come together to create a strong bond. This is a perfect family read!
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26. The Long Long Letter
The Long Long Letter is a beautifully illustrated book that explores how language helps us communicate with others. In the story, Mother's long, long letter brings Aunt Hetta who is full of surprise and adventure!
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27. My Mouth is a Volcano
My Mouth is a Volcano is a classic book that teaches children of all ages how to manage their thoughts, emotions, and words.
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