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27 Kid-Friendly Books with Similes

books with simile

July 22, 2022 //  by Christine Nguyen

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

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

2. Raining Cats and Dogs 

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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!

Learn more: Amazon

3. Crazy like a Fox: A Simile Story 

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

4. My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

5. Quick as a Cricket

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

6. Stubborn as a Mule

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

7. The King Who Rained 

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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!

Learn more: Amazon

8. Saturdays and Teacakes (Nonfiction)

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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!

Learn More: Amazon

9. Muddy as a Duck Puddle 

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

10. Even More Parts: Idioms 

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

11. Skin Like Milk, Hair Like Silk

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

12. Your Name is a Song 

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

13. The Butter Battle Book 

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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!

Learn more: Amazon

14. How to Make a Shark Smile

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

15. Noisy Night 

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

16. Hear the Wind Blow 

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

17. Owl Moon

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

18. Dreamers 

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

19. Firebird

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

20. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

21. Knot Cannot

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

22. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

23. My School is a Zoo

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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!

Learn More: Amazon

24. The Moon is a Silver Pond

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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.

Learn more: Amazon

25. The Scarecrow

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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!

Learn more: Amazon

26. The Long Long Letter

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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!

Learn more: Amazon

27. My Mouth is a Volcano

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My Mouth is a Volcano is a classic book that teaches children of all ages how to manage their thoughts, emotions, and words.

Learn more: Amazon

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