Books About Books:
15 Children’s Stories That Celebrate the Joy of Reading
by Denise Schipani
All children’s books are de facto celebrations of the joy of reading, right? Without words lovingly arranged in careful order on pages and pictures giving those delightful words life, books wouldn’t exist. But some books zero in more finely, and with much more open-hearted feeling, on the pure joy of reading. The picture books gathered here are just the tip of the iceberg (or the edge of the bookshelf?) for parents who want to plant and nurture the love of reading in their children.
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I Don't Want to Read This Book
Buy from:The narrator insists this book isn't worth reading — but every page cleverly proves otherwise. Kids will laugh as the story playfully argues with itself, turning even the most reluctant readers into eager page-turners. It's a smart, hilarious reminder that sometimes the best book is the one you almost didn't open.
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The Wombats Go Wild for Words
Buy from:Three word-loving wombats wander through a rather dull forest collecting delicious new vocabulary, inspiring everyone they meet to delight in language. Packed with playful words, lively illustrations, and plenty of laughs, this joyful picture book reminds kids that every new word is another adventure waiting to happen.
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Bunny’s Book Club
Buy from:Bunny loves reading so much that she inches close to the library’s summer outdoor reading club to hear the stories with her own rabbit ears. She’s delighted to “nibble” on the fringes … until cooler weather brings the group inside the library’s walls. Missing the stories, Bunny devises a plan to sneak into the building at night with her animal friends to create their own book club. Sometimes reading is just that compelling. Warning: Though the animals get into the library through the after-hours book drop, do not let your child attempt the same.
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Miss Brooks Loves Books! (And I Don't)
Buy from:Book-loving Miss Brooks uses everything from character costumes to dances to make reading a fun experience for the school children. She knows that very reluctant reader Missy could love books too — she just hasn't found the right one yet! Kids will giggle at Missy's grumbles until a story about warts and ogres finally wins her over. A funny and fantastic ode to the joys of reading and finding that just-right book.
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Llama Llama Loves to Read
Buy from:Toddlers and preschoolers will love learning to read with their favorite llama! Llama Llama goes to school, where he learns all about letters and how to make a word. He makes friends, learns to count, and learns the classroom rules. This upbeat book is the perfect introduction to the joys of reading for little kids.
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I Love Kindergarten!: Reading
Buy from:If you loved Kindergarten, Here I Come, you will also enjoy the author’s other kindergarten-related titles, including this one. Join a diverse group of children as they visit their school library, learn letters, write words, and discover the magical world of books. Short poems that celebrate books and reading fill the pages of this brightly illustrated story.
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Library Girl
Buy from:This beautiful biographical picture book pays tribute to the famous librarian, Nancy Pearl. Nancy was a shy young girl who preferred reading over recess. One day she discovers the public library, and a world of imagination and adventure opens up for her. As Nancy grew older, two compassionate librarians helped her find confidence in herself and set her on the path to becoming a celebrated librarian.
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A Child of Books
Buy from:Words, art, and adventure collide in this bestselling picture book from author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers and fine artist Sam Winston. A young girl boards an imaginary boat and sails on a sea of words to whisk her friend away on an adventure. Their literary-themed travels will appeal to book lovers of all ages, making it a story that you will treasure for years to come.
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Lupe Lopez: Reading Rock Star!
Buy from:Lupe is determined to become a "Reading Rock Star," but first grade proves that learning to read takes patience and practice. Kids just beginning their own reading journeys will cheer for Lupe as she discovers that perseverance — not perfection — is what makes a true reading superstar. I love that this book celebrates the hard work of learning to read — not just the joy of already being a reader.
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Froggy Goes to the Library
Buy from:Oh, Froggy. No matter how often his parents admonish him to be on his best behavior, he tends to barrel through his day with maximum clamor in book after book of this series. It's no different when he heads to the library, pushing a wheelbarrow in anticipation of the great volume of books he’ll borrow. Froggy has significant trouble keeping his own volume low enough at the library, but his book-loving heart is in the right place.
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Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro
Buy from:The young girl in this story eagerly waits for the teacher and librarian who travels around rural Colombia, delivering books. Ana loves to read, and when she gets her new books, she escapes into their magical worlds and goes on exciting adventures. This bilingual edition has the entire text in English and Spanish, delivering a heartfelt story about a real-life librarian who made a significant impact on his community.
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The Not So Quiet Library
Buy from:Who says libraries are always chilled-out places? Sometimes things get interesting among the stacks and shelves. Saturday is Oskar and Teddy’s favorite day, because they get to have donuts for breakfast and then hit the library with their dad. But on one memorable weekend, a hungry monster disrupts their quiet reading time. A monster?! Will they ever enjoy their donuts and pages in peace again?
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Charlie Cook's Favorite Book
Buy from:Charlie Cook has a favorite book about a pirate captain who walks the plank, swims to an island, and digs up a book. That book is about three bears who discover Goldilocks curled up in bed with a book about a knight and a dragon. The story continues this way up until the surprise ending. Rollicking, rhyming text and charming illustrations make this ode to books and reading a sheer delight.
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Wild About Books
Buy from:It all started when a librarian drove her bookmobile to the zoo — before long, as Sierra recounts in engaging rhyme, all the animals crowd around and learn about books that tickle their fancies. Yes, soon they’re stampeding to learn about “this new something called reading.” Between Brown’s paintings and Sierra’s Seussian poetry, this is destined for a spot on your reading-time repeat list.
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The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
Buy from:Kids will be fascinated by the story of Mary Walker, a girl born into slavery who learned to read at age 116! Her long life was filled with adventure, family, love, charity, and eventually, books. This true story is an inspiring testament to the joy that books can bring to readers of any age.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2026.