Literary Pairings for Kids

There are some things that just go really well together, like salty and sweet, a hot day and a cool breeze, and peanut butter and jelly. While I have always been an eclectic reader, I have found there to be times in my life where I read a couple books in succession that just go really well together. This kind of pairing can really heighten my appreciation of each book by allowing me to sink my teeth into the subject matter.

Literary pairing is just as effective for children as it is for adults and, in my experience, children have such a deep curiosity about what they are reading that they are hungry for more. Often times, this is where staff recommendations come in. We find out the books kids have been loving, and help them find their next amazing read by looking for something that pairs well with their last read. Sometimes it’s a similar author who writes in a similar tone. Sometimes we recommend books that compliment in another way, such as a similar time period, or setting (often wizard and witch academies!), or even a non-fiction title that will help to answer their questions about other books they’ve read.

I’d like to share with you some of my favorite pairings for kids. While not all of book couplings are read-alikes, they all have some common element which makes them go well together.

Thomas and the Rocket by Nicole Johnson & On the Train: A Shine-a-Light Book by Carron Brown & Bee Johnson

Thomas and Friends has delighted children for decades, and this accessibly written Step into Reading edition is a great choice for kids who are learning to read alone. The book I’ve paired it with is a Shine-a-Light book from Kane Miller Publishing. If you’re not familiar, the Shine-a-Light series is a lot of fun because there are hidden images that are revealed only when you shine a flashlight through the page.

The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt & I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton

Kids and parents alike will love award-winning author Drew Daywalt’s The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, where he turns the well-known hand game into an epic legend. Why not pair this with I’m Trying to Love Rocks, an adorable first look at geology. This non-fiction picture book is narrated by a reluctant geologist who, by the end of the story, finds herself loving rocks. Also try I’m Trying to Love Spiders by the same author.

Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez, illustrated by Felicita Sala & Crayola Reptile Colors by Christy Peterson

The first selection in this pair is a biography of Joan Proctor, a renowned zoologist whose study of Komodo dragons and other reptiles was presented to the Scientific Meeting of the Zoological Society of London in 1928. This beautifully written and illustrated book would make a fine pairing with the Crayola Reptile Colors book which features full-page close-up photographs of all kinds of lizards, snakes, and dragons.

Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne & Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Mummies and Pyramids by Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne

There are 63 books in the Magic Tree House Series, and many children have enjoyed devouring this series. Written as beginner chapter books with occasional illustrations throughout, this series is perfect for children who are building their confidence as independent readers. An obvious pairing for this book would be the Fact Tracker: Mummies and Pyramids book. This is written as a companion to the Mummies in the Morning book and features illustrations and even authentic images of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The key is this book is a lot of fun to read, with sidebars from the favorite characters, Jack and Annie, who are featured in the fiction books. Definitely don’t snooze on the Fact Tracker series—there are 38 books to explore!

The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland & Dragonology by Dr. Ernest Drake

If I had to name one middle-grade fantasy that is flying off the shelves right now, it would be the Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland. This series totals 14 books to date, with graphic novel versions being published as well. I am excited to recommend the perfect companion to this series, Dr. Ernest Drakes’ Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons. This book, like all of the ‘Ology’ series books, is rife with touch and feel patches, lift-the-flap illustrations, inset booklets and fold out illustrations. Run, don’t walk to pick this one up for the dragon lover in your house!

I love to see kids discover non-fiction books because it really opens worlds for them. Suddenly, they can learn about anything they are interested in on their own, and the combination of fiction and non-fiction creates an immersive experience for them. There are a lot of top-notch children’s non-fiction titles in the collection at Mercer County Library System. Please feel free to ask your librarian for recommendations!

- by Caitlin, West Windsor Branch