I first heard of Mo Willems in a children\u2019s literature class in graduate school. His quintessential childhood favorite, Knuffle Bunny<\/i>, had just won the Caldecott. I had not yet read it, so I tracked it down. I remember laughing out loud at the moment Trixie goes boneless.<\/p>\n
Few things are as delightful to both adults and children as funny books. For that reason, I\u2019ve given Mo Willems books as gifts at baby showers and birthdays more than any other author. His Elephant and Piggie series is a touchstone for emerging readers, and his other books are equally enchanting.<\/p>\n
Once, at a professional conference, Mo Willems emceed a book cart dance competition, and I\u2019ve never forgotten the raucous delight of the librarian spectators. This is all to say, he\u2019s got #kidlit street cred.<\/p>\n
Check out these delightful titles if you\u2019re looking for books similar to Mo Willems\u2019 style and wit.<\/p>\n
no no 9780593094648 A Pig, and a Fox, and a Box<\/i> by Jonathan Fenske <\/p>\n
Pig and Fox like to play. They\u2019ve got a box and a plan. One will hide while the other seeks. Inside the box, Fox hides, but Pig unknowingly sits on his friend. Next, Fox tries to trick Pig by setting a wig under a pile of rocks. When Pig runs to help his friend, he throws the rock onto the box where Fox is hiding. Poor Fox, will he ever learn? This rhyming tale is reminiscent of I Will Surprise My Friend<\/i>. <\/p>\n
9780593226322 When Carrot Met Cookie<\/i> by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Jonathan Fenske <\/p>\n
Carrot and Cookie are best pals\u2014unless outside friends make rude comments about Carrot, and Cookie doesn\u2019t speak up. The next day, Cuke and Zuke make rude remarks about Cookie, and Carrot doesn’t speak up. Feeling crumby, Cookie leaves to discuss the matter at home. Eventually, Cookie confronts Carrot. Once they mend their friendship, the pair celebrate with all their friends. It\u2019s a culinary treat of a tale with a sweet moral that reminds us of Nannette\u2019s Baguette<\/i>.<\/p>\n
9781984895837 Donut Feed the Squirrels<\/i> by Mika Song <\/p>\n
These two silly squirrels remind us of Willems’ endearing duo, Elephant and Piggie. Norma and Belly love donuts so when a donut truck sets up shop outside their tree-trunk home, they embark on a mission to steal these tasty treats. Full of silly slapstick humor, friendship, and teamwork, this early graphic novel reader is a must-read. <\/p>\n
9781524766740 Our Friend Hedgehog: A Place to Call Home<\/i> by Lauren Castillo <\/p>\n
Hedgehog and Mutty live on an Island. One day, Mutty gets swept away by the wind, and Hedgehog crosses the wide river to the forest to find her friend. Unexpectedly, Hedgehog lands in Mole\u2019s home, and the two creatures head to Owl\u2019s lookout, hopeful that he can help them search. With a cast of likable characters and Castillo\u2019s inviting illustrations, this 100+ page book (and series, actually) is ideal for children who enjoy chapter books like Mercy Watson<\/i> and The Princess in Black<\/i>.<\/p>\n
9780593326152 Groundhog Gets It Wrong<\/i> by Jessica Townes, illustrated by Nicole Miles <\/p>\n
Groundhog comes from a meteorological-minded family. Every February 2nd, his predecessors made striking seasonal pronouncements. Finally, it is Groundhog\u2019s turn. Looking up and down and every which way, Groundhog doesn\u2019t see his shadow and proudly proclaims that spring starts today! But what if Groundhog got it wrong? This humorous book offers a playful look at why rodent weather predictions sometimes run amuck. <\/p>\n
9780593120682 Let’s Make Cake! (Bobo and Pup-Pup)<\/i> by Vikram Madan, illustrated by Nicola Slater <\/p>\n
Inspired by their friend Mouse, Bobo and Pup-Pup work together to make a cake. However, the exuberant Bobo substitutes ingredients while level-headed Pup-Pup looks on with skepticism. With no oven available, they try to use the sun for baking their cake. In the end, despite their failed culinary creation, the two agree that spending time together was worth it. Short sentences and likable characters make this series a must-read for Elephant and Piggie fans!<\/p>\n
9781524787110 Fun, Fun, Fun!<\/i> by Derek Anderson <\/p>\n
Croc and Ally are all set for a day of fun. Ally wants to go swimming, but Croc insists he doesn\u2019t want to get wet. Later, Ally happily informs Croc it\u2019s time to get him a new hat. After trying on several hats, grumpy Croc isn\u2019t convinced. Finally, when Ally finds a bug in the house, only a call to her mother will solve the problem. With three short stories in each book, these early readers are ideal for preschoolers. <\/p>\n
9781368005647 The Itchy Book!<\/i> by LeUyan Pham <\/p>\n
Warning: This book will make you feel itchy! A group of dinos are feeling itchy, but there’s a rule that says dinosaurs aren’t allowed to scratch. Are they tough enough to resist scratching? Acclaimed children’s book author LeUyan Pham adds her own creative touch to this delightful story in the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! series. <\/p>\n
9781682636138 Stanley’s Store<\/i> by William Bee <\/p>\n
Stanley has a busy morning. He\u2019s got a store to run. Moving pallets of bright fruits and vegetables into place, Stanley must also ring up customers and clean up after his display gets knocked over. Familiar neighbors frequent his store, and Stanley works hard to keep everything running smoothly. The entire Stanley series is ideal for preschoolers.<\/p>\n
9780593113912 Jack at the Zoo<\/i> by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli <\/p>\n
Jack, the Lady, and Rex go to the zoo. They look at the animals, and Jack commandeers Koala\u2019s habitat and eats his snacks. Jack gets left behind when it\u2019s time to go, and Kola heads home with the gang. At home, Koala makes good choices (helps with dishes and sips tea quietly). Eventually, the Lady returns to the zoo and corrects the mistaken swap. Jack returns to his usual antics at home. Caregivers should point out that Jack himself isn\u2019t bad (just as kids aren\u2019t bad); however, some of Jack\u2019s behavior and choices are<\/i> bad. <\/p>\n
9780763689032 Interrupting Chicken<\/i> David Ezra Stein <\/p>\n
It\u2019s bedtime at the chicken house, and Papa settles in to read little red chicken her favorite fairy tales. He gently reminds her to listen and NOT interrupt during storytime. Chicken, ever the attention-seeker and exuberant performer, inserts herself into every story, much to her father\u2019s dismay. With puns (for grownups) and a relatable, over-the-top interrupting child, this book will tickle your funny bone and have little ones asking for more. If your child loves this book, check out the animated series on Apple TV. <\/p>\n
9781536215137 Twenty Questions<\/i> by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson <\/p>\n
What creature lives in the bathtub? Does the Zookeeper love the koala bear or the walking stick insect most? The woman on the cliff is waiting for someone; who is it? What would you do if you found buried treasure? How can you tell if a child is dreaming of peaches? With no serious answers, this book \u2014 from two acclaimed picture book creators \u2014 may raise more questions than answers.<\/p>\n
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2023.<\/i><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Check out these delightful, funny, creative stories if you\u2019re looking for books similar to Mo Willems\u2019 style and wit.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":93291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[60,456,954],"coauthors":[1195],"class_list":["post-3002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-humor","tag-elephant-and-piggie","tag-educators","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader"],"yoast_head":"\n