Best short story collections for children according to redditors
We found 299 Reddit comments discussing the best short story collections for children. We ranked the 137 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
This kids story book actually has a Spider-Man / Ant-Man team-up called "Super Bugs".
This was wonderful, but my heart goes to The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, since it was the first book for me that went meta and also one of my absolute favorite things to read as a little kid, both then and now.
You've never read The Stinky Cheese Man?
I'm gonna call him the Stinky Cheese Man.
This book was my first introduction to fractured classic stories. No lie, a few years ago I watched Shrek for the first time since I was kid and sat there thinking, wow, this is legitimately a masterclass in visual gags.
He had a buddy and not a son, but everything else (especially the thin and pics on every page part) sounds like Dangerous Journey, a children's version of Pilgrim's Progress. The art style was really memorable to me as a kid.
http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Journey-Story-Pilgrims-Progress/dp/0802836194
This was one of the stories in the collection "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz. These books are a collection of folktales from the US. In the back on the book there are notes addressing the regions were each story was collected.
Link to the Ribbon Story
Link to the book
I found it and now I have 'Childrens horror hotdog' in my search history
Indeed they are! They're from a kids book called Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark..
amazon has it
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
http://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X
I also still have this book, love it to death.
Chapter books to read together:
Short books:
I'm having trouble coming up with much this morning, and this is all based on liking classic stories and nothing too long. There are tons of great picture books out there. Peter Pan and the Little House books might also be good if you're looking for chapter books. The Anne books are probably a little old/long for her yet. There are some excellent children's treasuries out there that combine excerpts from the longer literature with entire picture books as well as some excellent fairy tale collections (it's up to you how sanitized you'd prefer your fairy tales - I took mine unedited in childhood. I think it did me good, but others might disagree) out there; IMHO, you really can't go wrong with those. In addition to fairy/folk tales, I like this collection.
This book has been terrifying children for over 30 years now:
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Alvin-Schwartz/dp/0060835206
thats from Scary Stories to tell in the dark! I loved that trilogy of books!
Star Wars The Force Awakens: Tales From a Galaxy Far, Far Away https://www.amazon.com/dp/1484741412/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_J6opxbSNZHRWW
That is probably what you're looking for
Sounds like he views reading as a chore and not a form of entertainment. It may be that he hasn't found a book that clicks with him yet. Try focusing on his interests. Does he have a favorite movie? If its been adapted from a book, it might keep his interest.
Take clues from how he spends his free time. What kind of games does he play? Both Halo and Warcraft have their own line of books. I think it boils down to he need to find reading entertaining, and only he will be able to make that distinction.
He are some choices to try out:
Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, or even try manga, Naruto is very popular.
Good luck with finding the something that he likes.
Dude, you're the one who pointed out it was niche.
I have no idea if that was in my library, my library has thousands of books.
Didn't you have this in your library?
This reminds me of trying to write stories in elementary school. I had a deep fascinating with the horror genre after reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as well as getting to the Goosebumps series. I decided that's where my focus was going to be and thus my first attempts at writing consisted of stories like "Rollercoaster of Doom" and "Balloon of Death" (mind you, I was in fourth or fifth grade...and in the latter story it was a hot air balloon).
Unfortunately my teacher decided this fascinating with the morbid was a problem and ratted me out to my parents who treated it like some sort of a problem. I knew the difference between fantasy and reality but I loved watching Are You Afraid of the Dark and wanted to cultivate my ability to tell a terrifying tale. They didn't see it that way and with the aid of my teacher insisted I write on happier subjects.
I think I could have been the next Stephen King. That rollercoaster of doom was a fucking monster, I tell ya.
"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark"
Or Goosebumps
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
The Magic School Bus
series of books are amazing for scientific concepts broken down in a way kids can understand.
Aesop's Fables awesome collection of stories that teach good values/morals like hard work, honesty, kindness, patience, etc.
The Stinky Cheese Man collection of weird fairy tales that's sure to challenge expectations and result in lots of laughs at its funny and ridiculous stories.
Hopefully you find these suitable! Kid's being introduced to literature and especially the variety contained over the many genres and styles of books is such a critical and I think undervalued thing. My mom used to read me and my brother's to sleep every night as children and the early out of school contact with books really instilled a sense of wonder in me that expanded my imagination which lead to wanting to read and learn about everything. So much so that a grade school teacher of mine at one point had to sit my parents down to explain that she was concerned about my rushing through class work in order to read books I brought to school or checked out from the library.
The Dangerous Journey is a good illustrated version.
Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802836194/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vc9jDbJX9CV6E
Was it the Scary Stories for Sleepovers books by RC Welch?
If you liked those, you might like these 2 also by the same author:
(1) Twisted Tales: The Dripping Head and Other Gruesome Stories
(2) Twisted Tales: The Slithering Corpse and Other Sinister Stories
I gotta admit that these stories sometimes still give me nightmares. The drawings are creepy sketches that make me think of being trapped - they're not as freaky as Gammell's but they get the job done :-/
The Stinky Cheese Man.
Not a science book, but I'm going to strongly recomend The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. This was one of my favorite books as a kid.
As for science, I totally agree with The Way Things Work and Bill Nye.
[Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Books] (http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Box-Set-More/dp/0061980935/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1BGV2L2FWNXQM&coliid=IJ0LE7ZXU3WUG) were the scariest books to read but they are still the most memorable. I loved reading the creepy stories about the babysitter, the hook, and the toe. I still can mostly recite the "Never laugh when a hearse goes by" poem. The pictures were equally as creepy. Reading is awesome!
This son of a bitch...
Edit: In fact, all of these terrible people...
One of my favorites as a youngun. And my mother and I read my old version to my daughter now. I can still hear my mother reading it to me in a fun Grover voice. Did you know there is a sequel?! Another Monster at the End of this Book - with Elmo and Grover!
https://www.amazon.com/Another-Monster-This-Sesame-Street/dp/0307987698/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485831654&sr=1-1&keywords=another+monster+at+the+end+of+this+book
Is Science Fiction Stories by Edward Blishen the one you're looking for?
I think i know what you are talking about is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Campfire-Weenies-Warped-Stories/dp/0765357712
It was Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark, one of several books in that series. As luck would have it, the referenced story is available to read on Google Books here.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
Enjoy, my friends.
Scary Stories for Sleepovers? The first volume has a camping story in it.
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Sleep-overs-R-Welch/dp/084312914X
That's from that book of scary short stories, right? There was that guy who lived in the attic, the Indian dude with his fiery feet of flames, a trucker that used his high beams to save some chick from a dude hiding in her car, and some others that I can't remember. WTF was the name of that book?
EDIT: It was actually the first result on a search for book of scary short stories.
Was it The Catalog by Jasper Tomkins?
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysteries_of_Harris_Burdick
The pictures are frequently used as "story starters" in English classes.
*Edit: See also The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, in which 14 famous authors (including Stephen King, Lemony Snicket, Lois Lowry, and Kate DiCamillo) have written short stories to accompany the pictures. https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Harris-Burdick-Fourteen-Introduction/dp/0547548109
You should read one of my favorite childhood anthologies:
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Very short, still hilarious.
I also had another childhood favorite called East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon, but I couldn't find the exact edition I had because, as it turns out, it's a fairly common legend. Just google it and you should be able to find a text. It's a beautiful fairy tale.
The yellow comment makes me think this is wrong but here is what has been the answer to many similar questions
Catch up bro!
http://www.amazon.com/Side-Mountain-Trilogy-Far-Frightfuls/dp/0525462694
I Am A Bunny was SquirrelBoy's favorite book as a baby and our go-to gift for parents to be. I can't recommend it higher.
Wee Squirrel has recently been all about Sometimes I Like To Curl Up in a Ball.
Freight Train is also a big winner with its simple graphics. I propped this one up for her to look at during tummy time when she was very small.
She also loves The Little Engine That Could and the Llama Llama series!
OMG - my aunt used to read Monster at the End of the Book to my sister and me when we were younger and was soo dramatic about it. I read it to my niece and nephew the same way, and now to my son. We also have Another Monster at the End of the Book because my kiddo is way into Elmo right now.
Big Green Monster is one of my favorites!! I love it tons.
Also,
Get those kids some books! :)
I used to love The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales when I was younger. Always enjoyed it.
I recently read The X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird and I thought it was a good picture book. The author also has picture books aimed at kids for E.T. and Home Alone and next year is releasing Back to the Future. The pictures are great.
this book?
Bastards took all of Stephen's drawings out of the books.
I remember those stories; good God they were scary! Why the hell my elementary school library, I don't know, but I thank them nonetheless.
I was at the Vernon library in sussex county a few months ago and they had the same thing, a bunch of older childrens books. Managed to find https://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X.
Harold was awesome. The Wendigo and Me Ti Doughy Walker always got me too.
Edit: Apparently they republished the series but with different illustrations. That totally destroys the book for me and Amazon reviews are vicious.
I don't know what is up with your link... but here
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Alvin-Schwartz/dp/0060835206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303288068&sr=8-1
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales? Art looks kinda similar, but the story is off.
I've heard good things about the new Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls collection! You could also try some anthologies of stories from different cultures around the world (anansi the spider, tales from ancient china, etc) or greek and roman mythology. The website A Mighty Girl has all kinds of great recommendations. You might also think about some books of poems like A Pizza the Size of the Sun or Where the Sidewalk Ends.
edit: And The Stinky Cheese Man is always good one if you want something silly!
9 year old girls
They're old enough to be reading chapter books, but you didn't mention how advanced they were...
Hmm...this might be tricky...
If they like animals:
Summer of the Wolves
A recently orphaned twelve-year-old girl and her younger brother leave a foster home in California to stay with their estranged uncle, a biologist studying a wolf pack in the woods of Minnesota. Heartfelt and informative.
If they like fantasy:
Fablehaven
Kendra and Seth's grandfather has a secret. His woods is a sanctuary for all creatures magical and mystic.
If they like mysteries:
Frightmares: Cat Burglar On the Prowl
Peg Kehret has written a score of mysteries, but the best for middle readers are the Frightmares. Kayo and Rosie run into quite a few mysteries, and quite a bit of danger.
If they want to read about normal kids:
You can't go wrong with Beverly Cleary; I will never not recommend her. If I had to choose a single book of hers to recommend...
Dear Mr. Henshaw
7 year old boy
If he likes fairy tales:
The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales
The best set of fractured fairy tales I can think of. And perfect for a seven year old boy.
If he likes mysteries:
Jigsaw Jones
Encyclopedia Brown and its emphasis on logic and catching people in lies might be a touch too much for him at the moment, so I'm going to recommend Jigsaw Jones, the other elementary sleuth solving mysteries at reasonable rates. There's approximately a bazillion Jigsaw Jones books, so take your pick.
4 year old boy
If he likes little stories:
Mouse Tales
****
I may need a little extra time to think of books for the other kids.
Oh, but nonexistent kids are the ones who say the really interesting things! Especially if they're not impossible to hear ;-)
I love coming up with titles....just got The Chronicles of Harris Burdick out of the library yesterday; 'twould be fun to have a running list of intriguing titles like these for inspiration...
Could it have been Science Fiction stories by Edward Blishen?
>
The boy, the dog, and the spaceship / Nicholas Fisk --
Invisible in London / H.G. Wells (from The Invisible Man) --
The Dragon of Pendor / Ursula Le Guin (from The Wizard of Earthsea) --
Bobo's star / Glenn Chandler --
The yellow hands / T.H. White (from The Master) --
The specimen / Tim Stout --
Of polymufstock / John Christopher --
Hurled into space / Jules Verne (from Round the Moon) --
Goodbye to the Moon / Monica Hughes (from Crisis on Conshelf Ten) --
The shot from the Moon / Arthur C. Clarke (from Islands in the Sky) --
The fun they had / Isaac Asimov --
A fight between lizards at the center of the earth / Jules Verne (from Voyage to the Center of the Earth) --
The last man alive / M.P. Shiel (from The Purple Cloud) --
How we were tracked by a tripod / John Christopher (from The White Mountains) --
The war of the worlds (an extract) / H.G. Wells --
Homecoming / Stephen David --
All summer in a day / Ray Bradbury --
Grenville's planet / Michael Shaara --
The fear shouter / Jay Williams --
The wind from the Sun / Arthur C. Clarke.
​
The Mad Scientists' Club
For you: Parenting with Love and Logic.
For the baby: The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud. Every children's book you'll ever need, and it covers stories for many ages. This is out of print, so get it while you can. Get two, so you have a backup.
For both of you as she grows in faith: The Message (New Testament)
Edit: It dawns on me the recommendation of The Message might seem odd. I threw it in because it's a great way for kids to start reading the Bible since the language is in modern vernacular.
This train board book is one of my favorites. it is super simple and beautiful. I even recreated my favorite page.
I would say the same of this book.
Congratulations. You've scored a job I would adore!
My suggestions:
Others have already mentioned my other choices (e.g. Of Mice and Men). And for a little non-fiction that might help them visualise some of life's big questions, try Stephen Law's "The Philosophy Files". I've gifted it to a number of teens in the past of all different abilities and have yet to hear criticism of it. "Philosophy Rocks" is another one of his that is also pretty good.
/u/margalicious is like fucking amazing. She's hilarious. She's my twin. She can sing like an angel. Get her this because it's almost Halloween!
Tyara, I'm not used to the username yet.
I have seen plenty of children's books tattoos, I think it's fine - you wouldn't be the first, anyway!
As a side note, did you know the publisher changed the illustrations in the new prints of the books? They took out the awesome ones and put in boring safe ones. I am glad I bought all 3 books when I did!
I think it's this
Amazon link here
This book is awesome and anyone who says other wise is a dirty liar! Whopp-di-do-da
Is it one of the Short & Shivery books?
Short & Shivery: Thirty Chilling Tales (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0613857046/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p30zxb7P4C81D
More Short & Shivery: Thirty Terrifying Tales https://www.amazon.com/dp/038532250X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_L30zxb505ZX1H
Even More Short & Shivery: Thirty Spine-Tingling Tales https://www.amazon.com/dp/0440418771/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_d20zxb1B3VCVE
A Terrifying Taste of Short & Shivery: Thirty Creepy Tales https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385322550/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_m40zxbRE16R5G
This book was a huge part of my childhood and I would read it practically every day. It really make me feel like I have a connection with my childhood.
Thanks for the contest!
Reminds me of a book from my childhood...
http://www.amazon.com/Catalog-Jasper-Tomkins/dp/1883211751/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317811013&sr=1-1
Haha I can imagine. I don't know it but good luck in your search. Was it possibly from any of the scary stories to tell in the dark books? I know they had some stories along those lines
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Dark-Anniversary/dp/0064401707
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Unfortunately, it looks like they've republished it with pictures that don't haunt your dreams...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060835206
Edit: Link
Green eggs and ham.
I have this book on my WL for my little sisters! The Stinky Cheese man is one of my favorite books from when I was a kid, so I think any kid will love it :)
Not a parent, just partial to books I read as a kid. The Stinky Cheese Man, Rainbow Fish, I'm always going to think Goosebumps for the 8-12 crowd, Anansi the spider and Abiyoyo
I don't know if Goosebumps did something similar, but I remember reading a book as a kid with like 10 or so short horror stories, and in one an asshole kid gets an ant farm and the ants end up eating him or something after leaving him messages in the tank. I think it was this one.
Even More Short & Shivery: Thirty Spine-Tingling Tales by Robert D. San Souci.
https://www.recordedbooks.com/title-details/9781419372636
Click the book cover on the left to look inside and see the new art. I am disappoint.
Yep. https://www.amazon.com/Another-Monster-This-Sesame-Street/dp/0307987698
The cover isn't green, and the book came out in the 90s, but it still kind of sounds like "Even more short and shivery"
https://www.amazon.com/Even-More-Short-Shivery-Spine-Tingling/dp/0440418771
The weenie books are really good, my favorite was The Curse of the Campfire Weenies
Here's three.
Would it be one of the scary short story books by David Lubar? I used to read these all of the time and they always reminded me a lot of the book you mentioned. There's The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, etc.
Was it Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark ? Definitely gave me nightmares in elementary school.
In The Land of Lawn Weenies, perhaps?
You can see them at this website as well.
I don't want to repeat things people have already suggested. One book that I really enjoyed reading throughout my childhood were books by Richard Scarry. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of the books are out of print, but they are still for sale on amazon.com for very reasonable prices.
Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever!
I remember this book very vividly with the lion on the cover. I loved the drawings, and how everything was categorized on pages.
Another great book that is both enjoyable read aloud or read alone was The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. It would of course be in your nieces best literary interests to learn of these fairy tales properly first, but once she does, share this book with her.
It can be kinda scary, actually!
I was pleased (and proud) to see that my son "got" parody and satire, even at a very young age. One of his favorite books was "The Stinky Cheese Man (and other fairly stupid tales)" It was a mashup/parody of a whole bunch of fairy tales. ( The Stinky Cheese Man was a parody of The Gingerbread Man....except he was made of stinky cheese, so no one wanted to catch him....)
When he was a bit older, he went to see the Star Wars reissue. Then I told him, "ok, now you have to watch this...." and gave him Soaceballs. He got it - even some of the more subtle stuff like Spaceball One going by for five minutes.
"you're not the boss of me"
It's not quite science fiction, but you might try the Mad Scientists Club books. Stories about adventurous, mischievous uber-geeks in the early 60's. I loved them in the 70's, though i on't know what kids of today would think of them.
This is correct...
edit: I read it in this short story collection
Scholastic™ Book Fairs in the gym, even. Pick up a copy of The Stinky Cheeseman
Beyond Suess, Silverstein, Roald Dahl, Graeme Base, ect.
I would suggest anything by Jon Scieszka including:
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales
Self referential parodies of classic nursery rhymes.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Retelling of the classic from the point of view of the wolf
Science Verse
A fun & clever mix of science and poetry
Based on this, or an original idea?
http://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293421223&sr=8-1
This book
https://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X
Quick, someone buy Lewis Stinky Cheese Man
I always thought this one was amusing.
http://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348096426&sr=8-1&keywords=the+stinky+cheeseman+and+other+fairly+stupid+tales
End of the thread. Those books were terrifying as a kid. I will definitely be picking them up to read to my kids on camping trips, if the wife and I ever have any kids that is.
Edit: Apparently the new prints of these books do not include the drawings. That was half of the disturbing nature of the stories!
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Box-Set-More/dp/0061980935/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369866389&sr=8-2&keywords=scary+stories+to+tell+in+the+dark
This is what it looks like since 2010:
http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Alvin-Schwartz/dp/0060835206
The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury
Reminds me of some of the cartoons in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Stinky-Cheese-Other-Fairly-Stupid/dp/067084487X
This is the first I've heard of it, but, sure enough... Aliens: Volume 1; I'll definitely be checking this out A.S.A.P.
Was this the picture? If so, it was probably this book.
I've never read The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, but for anyone who is interested in some historical background for various fairy tales and how the early versions told the tales, I'd recommend From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers.
>In this landmark study of the history and meaning of fairy tales, the celebrated cultural critic Marina Warner looks at storytelling in art and legend - from the prophesying enchantress who lures men to a false paradise, to jolly Mother Goose with her masqueraders in the real world. Why are storytellers so often women, and how does that affect the status of fairy tales? Are they a source of wisdom or a misleading temptation to indulge in romancing?
>
>Warner interprets the history of old wives' tales from sibyls and the Queen of Sheba to Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and Angela Carter. And with fresh new insights she shows us the real-life themes in the famous stories, which, she suggests, are skillful vehicles by which adults have liked to convey advice, warning, and hope - to each other as well as children.
Did you know there is a sequel?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0307987698?pc_redir=1413693293&robot_redir=1
One of my faves!
Honestly I read a lot but I heart stinky cheese man.
I just wanted to share that is all.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
possibly scary stories to tell in the dark?
Welcome! Freedom Town looks pretty cool to me! You probably would have liked reading these books when you were younger! It's what Freedom Town reminded me of.
Possibly this one, or one of the sequels from the same author? http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Dark-Collected/dp/0064401707