I like dark picture books. A little quirky. A little subversive. When I was researching markets for an as yet unsold manuscript, I went purposely looking for these kinds of books to see which publishers were publishing them. Someone asked recently what I came up with, so I thought I’d share my “Quirky-dark picture books” bookshelf on Goodreads. It’s a listing of 30 picture books, including my current favorite dark one:
This Is Not My Hat (Candlewick, 2012), by Jon Klassen, is brilliant. Theft, escape, karma, revenge…it’s all there, in a super funny, super sly, super short, dark picture book. If you haven’t read this, go look for it! And what are your favorite dark picture books? Which ones have I missed?
I know I’ll be the voice in the wilderness on this one, but I have a hard time with books like this… As an adult, I appreciate the cleverness and humor, but as a parent I’m a little reluctant to read a story where theft and, in the case of I Want My Hat Back, worse, are clearly okay and there don’t ultimately seem to be consequences to bad behavior – well, there are consequences for the thief, but not for the character recovering his property in spite of how he goes about it. I know it gives an opportunity to discuss right and wrong, and better ways of going about things, and your own values, but I confess, when reading to the kids, I still prefer books where the message and humor are kinder. Jon Klassen’s books are very clever and well done, though – no denying that 🙂
It’s ok to be the voice in the wildnerness, Susanna! Dark picture books are not for everyone (kid or adult). And despite the brevity, it’s not a book I would share with 2-3 year olds, for instance. But I think it has less villainy than, say, the typical animated Disney movie–though the tone and approach is different.
I love these kinds of books, and I think most 1st and 2nd graders would, too. But there would be a few kids who wouldn’t, and who would be appalled. So I think they need to be shared with a little context and care on the adult’s part.
I know I’ll be the voice in the wilderness on this one, but I have a hard time with books like this… As an adult, I appreciate the cleverness and humor, but as a parent I’m a little reluctant to read a story where theft and, in the case of I Want My Hat Back, worse, are clearly okay and there don’t ultimately seem to be consequences to bad behavior – well, there are consequences for the thief, but not for the character recovering his property in spite of how he goes about it. I know it gives an opportunity to discuss right and wrong, and better ways of going about things, and your own values, but I confess, when reading to the kids, I still prefer books where the message and humor are kinder. Jon Klassen’s books are very clever and well done, though – no denying that 🙂
It’s ok to be the voice in the wildnerness, Susanna! Dark picture books are not for everyone (kid or adult). And despite the brevity, it’s not a book I would share with 2-3 year olds, for instance. But I think it has less villainy than, say, the typical animated Disney movie–though the tone and approach is different.
I love these kinds of books, and I think most 1st and 2nd graders would, too. But there would be a few kids who wouldn’t, and who would be appalled. So I think they need to be shared with a little context and care on the adult’s part.
I adore “I’d like to eat a child”.
That is such a cute one! A bit dark at first, but then lots of heart at the ending:>)
I adore “I’d like to eat a child”.
That is such a cute one! A bit dark at first, but then lots of heart at the ending:>)
I like them, too, though I haven’t read very many — yet. (Thank you for the list! I’ll be looking for those….) My favorite is probably Where the Wild Things Are. I also love I’d Really Like to Eat a Child and Stinky Cheese Man.
I believe that parents should read them first and then decide if the books will be appropriate for their own young children. Not every child is going to like or understand them. (My own kids love dark humor, just like their mom.) I agree that they should be shared with context and care.
You’re right. Parents should read them first. I kind of wish they had a little label, NOT to keep people from reading them, but to say, Hey, grown-ups, read this one before you share it! My sister-in-law opened a picture book to read with my nephew, not realizing that it was a book about death and depression (it was Michael Rosen’s Sad Book). She wasn’t prepared for that. That’s not a funny dark book, but a serious book about an important topic. Either way, though, pbs outside the mainstream probably need a bit of advance prep!
I like them, too, though I haven’t read very many — yet. (Thank you for the list! I’ll be looking for those….) My favorite is probably Where the Wild Things Are. I also love I’d Really Like to Eat a Child and Stinky Cheese Man.
I believe that parents should read them first and then decide if the books will be appropriate for their own young children. Not every child is going to like or understand them. (My own kids love dark humor, just like their mom.) I agree that they should be shared with context and care.
You’re right. Parents should read them first. I kind of wish they had a little label, NOT to keep people from reading them, but to say, Hey, grown-ups, read this one before you share it! My sister-in-law opened a picture book to read with my nephew, not realizing that it was a book about death and depression (it was Michael Rosen’s Sad Book). She wasn’t prepared for that. That’s not a funny dark book, but a serious book about an important topic. Either way, though, pbs outside the mainstream probably need a bit of advance prep!
I haven’t read “Creepy Carrots” yet, but I am guessing it will fall into this darker category Laura!
I haven’t either, but I just read about it on PiBoIdMo and it’s on my TBR list. It’s what reminded me to do this post:>)
I haven’t read “Creepy Carrots” yet, but I am guessing it will fall into this darker category Laura!
I haven’t either, but I just read about it on PiBoIdMo and it’s on my TBR list. It’s what reminded me to do this post:>)