Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

There is never a shortage of advice to be found, even in children's books.  Here are a few good, if not typical "advice" books for kids:

Advice for When You're Reading:

Open Very Carefully

By Nick Bromley

Ages 4 - 6

Are you brave enough to open this interactive book?  Are you smart enough to take its own titular advice and do so carefully?  Would your answers change knowing that the back cover looks like this...  

Advice of a Musical Variety:

Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo

By John Lithgow

Ages 3 - 8

This wonderful read-aloud imagines what might happen if you perform a concert in close proximity to the animals at the zoo.

Advice from a TV Super Villain:

The Book of Doof: How to Find an Arch Nemesis and Other Evil Advice

By Scott Peterson

Ages 8 - 12

This book is completely awful...and by that I mean it will leave you completely full of awe!  Fans of the TV Show "Phineas & Ferb" already know that Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz is the perfect person to give you advice on being evil.

Advice on Acting Like an Animal:

How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom

By Steve Jenkins

Ages 7 - 10

Perfect if you've ever wanted to know how to crack a nut like a crow, sew like a tailorbird, or disguise yourself like an octopus*. (*that would be how to disguise yourself just as an octopus would and not how to disguise yourself to look like an octopus!)

  
Advice from a Cat Columnist:

Dear Tabby

By Carolyn Crimi

Ages 5 - 8

A clever cat offers advice to all kinds of animals and in the end, he just might get to help himself out too.

(If you prefer to read correspondence from a canine columnist instead, check out Letters from a Desperate Dog and The Desperate Dog Writes Again, both by Eileen Christelow.)

A Real Advice Book:

Reach for the Stars: and Other Advice for Life's Journey

By Serge Bloch

Ages 4 - 8

A lovely book with unique and beautiful illustrations that offers truly thoughtful advice that's not just good for kids!