I love books that “break the fourth wall” and draw kids into the story by making them a part of it. Reading to very young children can sometimes be a difficult task. Books that speak directly to them and give them a chance to change the outcome of the story can draw even the most restless readers into some great reading time.

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Don’t Push the Button

Written and illustrated by Bill Cotter

This book has been one of my daughter’s favorites from her very first Christmas. In this colorful book, a little creature named Larry encourages the reader to push a button. Once the button is pushed, all sorts of chaos ensues. Kids must interact with the book to help Larry get things back to normal. Kids will love the idea that they are “breaking the rules” by pushing the button, and they will love all the silly hijinks that happen after the button is pushed.

Larry also stars in Don’t Touch This Book and Don’t Push the Button: A Christmas Adventure.

Press Here

Written and illustrated by Herve Tullet

This fun book starts and ends with a single yellow dot. As kids press and tap the dot, more dots and colors appear. The text encourages kids to tilt the book, shake it up, clap and more, as the dots on the page react to their actions. My daughter loves feeling like she is controlling the dots, and the ending of the book encourages kids to start the process all over again.

Mix It Up

Written and illustrated by Herve Tullet

This colorful book gives kids an opportunity to explore colors, color mixing and art. Each page includes simple instructions that encourage the reader to interact with the dots and colors on the page. This book may just inspire kids to create some artwork of their own!

Herve Tullet also wrote Say Zoop! and Let’s Play!

Bunny Slopes

Written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda

In this fun winter book, the reader is encouraged by Bunny to shake, turn and tilt the book to help him have a skiing adventure. Kids will love interacting with the cute bunny character and watching his skiing antics. (Check out my list of winter sports books for more skiing books!)

Tap the Magic Tree

Written and illustrated by Christie Matheson

As kids tap, touch and otherwise engage with the illustrated tree, it grows and changes. Each turn of the page brings new seasonal changes to the tree, providing a wonderful lesson on the seasons.

Christie Matheson also wrote Plant the Tiny Seed and Touch the Brightest Star.

Warning: Do Not Open this Book

Written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

This book gives you lots of warnings not to open it. As you continue past the warnings, you unleash a pack of monkeys that wreak havoc on the book. The funny text is paired with fun illustrations, making this a book you will want to read aloud over and over again. The same team paired up again for the sequel Please Open This Book.

Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite

Written by Nick Bromley and illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne

What starts as a nice bedtime story is quickly interrupted by the appearance of a rogue crocodile! What can be done to stop him from wreaking havoc on the story? Kids will love chasing him through the pages.

The Monster at the End of this Book

Written by Jon Stone and illustrated by Michael Smollin

This classic was a favorite of mine when I was younger, and many years later, it is now one of my daughter’s favorites as well. Grover, of Sesame Street fame, narrates this book, warning the reader of the monster that is hiding at the end of it. He begs the reader to stop turning the pages, because he’s worried about facing the monster at the end. My daughter thinks it’s hysterical to go against his wishes and continue turning the pages, making a huge mess along the way. The book has a sweet ending, wiping away the fears of young readers. .

Make sure you check out the fun activities we paired with this story here!

There’s a Monster in Your Book

Written by Tom Fletcher and illustrated by Greg Abbott

There’s a cute little monster running through this book, and it’s up to the reader to interact with the story and get him out. The text asks the reader to shake, turn and otherwise engage with the book to get the little monster out.

This Book is Magic

Written and illustrated by Ashley Evanson

This magical book gives the reader an opportunity to be a magician, using their finger to perform all sorts of magic tricks throughout the book. Kids will love feeling like they are performing tricks that change the illustrations.

Tap to Play

Written and illustrated by Salina Moon

In this video game themed story, the main character is a red ball named Blip. He needs to reach the bar in order to win the game and receive a surprise. The reader is encouraged to turn, tap and interact with the book in order to help him.

Splat!

Written and illustrated by Jon Burgerman

In this vividly colored book, each turn of the page adds more mess to the page before it. The reader is encouraged to turn the pages and add to the mess. Kids will enjoy creating a big mess while parents will appreciate the thrill of the mess without any actual mess!

What are your favorite interactive books for kids? Share in the comments below!

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