Books are MAGIC: Interactive book for kids

Books are magical, aren’t they?  There is nothing like opening a book and being transported to a different place or stepping into someone else’s shoes.  I’ve always found it exciting to go on the journey the author has created.  But have you ever read a book and wish you could change the ending?  As a kid, I was a big fan of the Choose Your Own Adventure books.  It was so cool to be able to pick the path of the story and actually have a say in what happens.  (I will admit, sometimes I peeked to see if the outcome of my choice was what I wanted!  I was also determined to read as many “complete” stories as I could and would go through as many times as needed to read every page).

These types of interactive books are still really popular at the library and we have them for all ages in the children’s section!  For younger children, I love using interactive picture books during story time and watching a child’s face in amazement as something magical happens as they turn the page.  In an age where everything is interactive, these books are great for both reluctant or regular readers alike. 

Picture books

Books by Christie Matheson

 

This picture book series is truly magical.  Readers can engage with each page (such as wiggle their fingers to water the seeds, clap to make the sun shine after the rain or shoo away a hungry snail), then see what happens on the next page.  Plant the Tiny Seed is my personal favorite.

Books by Hervé Tullet

      

These picture books are interactive, colorful, and fun!  Tullet uses no special effects other than the reader’s imagination and simple directions, but the results are sure to engage young readers.  I love the simple illustrations and use of bright, mostly primary, colors.

Books by Claudia Rueda

        

This charming series follows Bunny as they hit the slopes, pick apples for a pie, and go on an ocean adventure.  The interactions are adorable - shake the book to make it snow, or blow to make wind so the boat can sail.  The simple text makes it accessible to beginning readers while the fun interactions will be intriguing to any toddler or preschooler.

The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo

In this book published in 2024, the magician, Lady Rabbit, can read your mind!  The reader picks a member from the audience and Lady Rabbit will guess which one it is!  This is definitely a fun book to read over and over again, choosing a different audience member each time and see if the book can guess the correct one!.

 

Don't Push the Button series by Bill Cotter

There is only one rule in Larry’s book - don’t push the button!  But can you resist when no one is looking??  Kids will love this funny, colorful series.

Ploof by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Messer

Ploof is a puffy cloud who’s a little lonely - but now that you’re here, the fun can begin!  Kids will love interacting with this adorable cloud and how Ploof reacts to their clapping, shaking, and waving.

Pet this Book by Jessica Young

If your child loves animals, then this book is perfect for them!  Pat the cat, squawk with the bird, and scrub the muddy puppy as children learn how to take care of various pets.

Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley

Don’t be afraid of this monster!  This monster grows as you turn each page, but don’t worry.  Turn the remaining pages and he disappears.  This unique book with die-cut pages is sure to be a favorite!

Chapter books

Choose Your Own Adventure series: 

 

The original interactive, choose-your-own story book - these books were so unique back in the day.  There are dangers, choices, adventures, and consequences ahead of you, and only YOU can decide what happens next.  The great thing is that at any time, you can go back to make another choice and change the path of your story!  Our collection at MCLS has some of the classic books from the 1980s as well as more modern titles.

You Choose book series:

   

An updated version of the Choose Your Own Adventure series, the interactive, decision-making format motivates reluctant readers while multiple endings encourage repeated readings.  With so many sub-series topics (survival, history, game day sports, extreme sports, and Ancient Greek myths), there is something for every reader.

The Oregon Trail by Jesse Wiley

The Oregon Trail game from the 1990s is back and is now an interactive book series!  This book puts the reader in the year 1850 and navigating the treacherous Oregon Trail.  Choose correctly and blaze a trail that gets you closer to your final destination.

Case Closed by Lauren Magaziner

Each book in the Case Closed series combines the “pick your own story” with a puzzling mystery.  In book one (Mystery in the Mansion), Carlos and his friends put together the clues to save his mom’s detective agency.  The reader gets to choose which suspects to interview, which questions to ask, and which clues to follow. 

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga

This book combines interactive stories with a graphic novel format.  A boy stumbles upon the lab of a mad scientist who asks him to choose between testing a mind-reading device, a time machine, and a doomsday machine.  Using an ingenious system of tubes and tabs, readers can decide what to explore - sometimes the page reads right to left, sometimes up and down, and sometimes jumps from beginning to end.  The cover states: Pick any path - 3,856 story possibilities.  So much fun!

Adventuregame Comics by Jason Shiga

In this graphic novel series, readers follow the story from panel to panel using tubes that connect them.  Sometimes the path will split, giving readers the chance to choose how the story unfolds.  In book one, the reader must defeat the giant sea creature that is wreaking havoc on a small medieval village.

This list is just a jumping off point as well as including some of my favorites – feel free to stop by your local branch and see what other interactive books your kids can enjoy!  These are great choices to get reluctant readers to put down the tablet for a little while and pick up a good book!

--Miss Lauren, Lawrence Branch