100 Best Fear Books of All Time (Updated for 2026)

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1

The Dark

Lemony Snicket, Jon Klassen

5.0

Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark is not afraid of Laszlo.

Laszlo lives in a house. The dark lives in the basement.

One night, the dark comes upstairs to Laszlo's room, and Laszlo goes down to the basement.

This is the story of how Laszlo stops being afraid of the dark.

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2

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back up Again

Dan Santat

5.0

My name is Humpty Dumpty.
I'm famous for falling off a wall.

(You may have heard about it.)

But that's only half the story...
Because I decided to get back up.
And when I did, something amazing happened.

This story is about my life...
AFTER THE FALL.

Inspiring and unforgettable, this epilogue to the beloved classic nursery rhyme will encourage even the most afraid to overcome their fears, learn to get ba

3

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence

Gavin De Becker

4.9

True fear is a gift.
Unwarranted fear is a curse.
Learn how to tell the difference.

A date won't take "no" for an answer. The new nanny gives a mother an uneasy feeling. A stranger in a deserted parking lot offers unsolicited help. The threat of violence surrounds us every day. But we can protect ourselves, by learning to trust—and act on—our gut instincts.

In this empowering book, Gavin de Becker, th

Recommended by David Heinemeier Hansson and Nicholas C. Zakas.

David Heinemeier Hansson

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker shares a bunch of anecdotes from violent attacks, how the victims often knew per instinct that something wasn’t right, but suppressed that instinct for fear of seeming rude or silly or whatever. He also presents a bunch of analytical frameworks for evaluating threats, stalkers, and other menaces. But it’s not a dry textbook. Gavin had a violent upbringing and brings a lot of personal anecdotes and perspectives to bear as well. [source]

Nicholas C. Zakas

If I had a daughter, girlfriend, or wife, I’d highly recommend this book to them. https://t.co/rwuAY7cIXw Less useful for men unless you have reason to fear assassination, but an interesting read nonetheless. [source]

4

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Suzanne Collins

4.9

WINNING MEANS FAME AND FORTUNE.
LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.
THE HUNGER GAMES HAVE BEGUN. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and once girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in

Recommended by Bill Gates and Robert Muchamore.

Bill Gates

CEO/Microsoft

On Bill Gates's reading list in 2012. [source]

Robert Muchamore

A brutal, exciting, action-based sci-fi novel. Hugely popular and excellent fun. [source]

5

The War of Art

Steven Pressfield

4.9

Preview Summary

The Art of War meets "The Artist's Way" in this no-nonsense, profoundly inspiring guide to overcoming creative blocks of every kind.

Recommended by Daniel Pink, James Altucher, Ryan Holiday, and 17 others.

James Altucher

Founder/StockPickr

When a writer or an entrepreneur, or a manager, or an employee, or a…whatever…sits down to get to work, he or she is often met by “the resistance”. The excuses that come up: I can’t do this. I am too old. I don’t have enough money. I’m scared. “The War of Art” is the guide to getting through that block. The comfort zone is papered up and cemented shut by our excuses. Learn to blast through that wall. Because on the other side of the comfort zone are all the tools of success. [source]

Seth Godin

Author, Marketer, Entrepreneur

Also hard to find on audio. I find Steve's voice to be fascinating, and even before I knew him, I was fascinated by listening to him speak his own work. The War of Art is one of those books, at least for me when I finally was exposed to it, I said, 'Why wasn't I informed? Why did it take this long for this book to land on my desk?'... You need to be clear with yourself about what you are afraid of, why you are afraid, and whether you care enough to dance with that fear because it will never go away. [source]

Adam Johnston

The last two pages of Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art gave me a swift kick in the ass. Do it or don’t do it. But if you don’t do it, you not only hurt yourself. You hurt your children. You hurt me. You hurt the planet. Pressfield wrote a beautiful book that you should read, but if nothing else, just read the last two pages of the book. I have them hanging on my wall in my office. [source]

6

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth

4.7

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For

7

Jabari Jumps

Gaia Cornwall

4.6

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Ja

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8

Wemberly Worried

Kevin Henkes

4.6

A back-to-school favorite from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten's First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum. This picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Wemberly worried about spilling

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9

Thunder Cake

Patricia Polacco

4.6

A loud clap of thunder booms, and rattles the windows of Grandma's old farmhouse. "This is Thunder Cake baking weather," calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. But the list of ingredients is long and not easy to find . . . and the storm is coming closer all the time!

Reaching once

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10

Orion and the Dark

Emma Yarlett

4.6

Orion is very scared of the dark — until Dark decides to pay him a visit!
Orion is scared of a lot of things, but most of all he’s scared of the dark. So one night the Dark decides to take Orion on an adventure.

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11

Black Dog

Levi Pinfold

4.5

An enormous black dog and a very tiny little girl star in this offbeat tale about confronting one’s fears.

When a huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home, each member of the household sees it and hides. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the black dog, who might not be as frightening as everyone else thinks.

12

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Susan Jeffers

4.5

Success can be yours with Susan Jeffers's
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

The world's foremost producer of personal development and motivational audio programs gives you the tools to face the fears that hold you back.

We're all afraid of something: beginnings, endings, changing, getting stuck. But fear doesn't have to hold you back from happiness or success. You can change your relationship with fea

13

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

4.5

At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate; this far from civilization the boys can do anything they want. Anything. They attempt to forge their own society, failing, however, in the face of terror, sin and evil. And as order collapses, as strange howls echo

Recommended by Elon Musk, Ev Williams, Audrey Russo, and 5 others.

Audrey Russo

So many novels; Lord of the Flies, Great Gatsby, Great Expectations; all the Nancy Drew books; Catcher in the Rye, Books written by Zora Neale Hurston; Pat Conroy – all because of the view about different people who endure despite adversity while kindling the hearts of the human spirit. [source]

Chigozie Obioma

William Golding imbues some of these children with wisdom that would read, in the hands of a lesser author, as implausibly knowing [source]

Disco Donnie

@JoshRHernandez1 I love the book “Lord of the Flies” so just started watching The Society [source]

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14

Scaredy Squirrel

Mélanie Watt

4.5

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.

Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day ... his worst

15

The Monster at the End of this Book

Jon Stone, Michael Smollin

4.5

Many adults name this book as their favorite Little Golden Book. Generations of kids have interacted with lovable, furry old Grover as he begs the reader not to turn the page—for fear of a monster at the end of the book. “Oh, I am so embarrassed,” he says on the last page . . . for, of course, the monster is Grover himself!

This all-time favorite is now available as a Big Little Golden Book—perfec

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16

Me And My Fear

Francesca Sanna

4.5

When a young girl has to move countries and start at a new school, her fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn't understand anyone? Surely no one else feels the same way...

From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Journey, this insightful and delicately told story shows that we can all find friendship and comfort when we share our fears.

17

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

Linda Williams (undifferentiated)

4.5

“A splendiferous Halloween story.” — The Horn Book

“A great purchase for Halloween or any time of year.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard...clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.

And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had

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18

Creepy Pair of Underwear!

Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown

4.5

Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwe

19

The Kissing Hand

Audrey Penn, Ruth Harper

4.5

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their p

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20

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

Stephen King

4.5

Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland strays from the path while she and her recently divorced mother and brother take a hike along a branch of the Appalachian Trail. Lost for days, wandering farther and farther astray, Trisha has only her portable radio for comfort. A huge fan of Tom Gordon, a Boston Red Sox relief pitcher, she listens to baseball games and fantasizes that her hero will save her. Nature

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21

The Journey

Francesca Sanna

4.4

With haunting echoes of the current refugee crisis this beautifully illustrated book explores the unimaginable decisions made as a family leave their home and everything they know to escape the turmoil and tragedy brought by war. This book will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

From the author: The Journey is actually a story about many journeys, and it began with the story of two g

Recommended by Beverley Naidoo.

Beverley Naidoo

A book about kindness, hope and resilience in the face of the turmoil of war. [source]

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22

Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats

Alicia Potter, Birgitta Sif

4.4

A tale with many tails, perfect for cat lovers everywhere!

Miss Hazeltine is opening a very special school for shy and fearful cats. They come from all over, and Miss Hazeltine gives them lessons in everything, from “Bird Basics” to “How Not to Fear the Broom.”

The most timid of all is Crumb. He cowers in a corner. Miss Hazeltine doesn’t mind. But when she gets in trouble and only Crumb knows where

23

Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm

Thich Nhat Hanh

4.4

“Written in words so intimate, calm, kind, and immediate, this extraordinary book feels like a message from our very own heart….Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most important voices of our time, and we have never needed to listen to him more than now.”
—Sogyal Rinpoche

Fear is destructive, a pervasive problem we all face. Vietnamese Buddhist Zen Master, poet, scholar, peace activist, and one of the fo

24

Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear

Dan Gardner

4.4

We are the safest humans who ever lived - the statistics prove it. And yet the media tells a different story with its warnings and scare stories. How is it possible that anxiety has become the stuff of daily life?

In this ground-breaking, compulsively readable book, Dan Gardner shows how our flawed strategies for perceiving risk influence our lives, often with unforeseen and sometimes-tragic conseq

Recommended by Evan Solomon.

Evan Solomon

Just did a short radio essay on risk and quoted your great book Risk: the science and politics of fear re reactions to corona virus. Recommended read to this day! Thanks Dan. https://t.co/7L70b5DYLB [source]

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25

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

Mo Willems

4.4

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!
Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

Recommended by Shannon Miller and Thrifty Nifty Mommy.

Shannon Miller

It’s here!!!! I am in love with this new @The_Pigeon book, The Pigeon HAS To Go To School! This will be the perfect book to share in our “You’ve Been Book’d” Bags at @vanmeterschools when school starts! ❤️#kidlit #kidlitart #futurereadylibs #tlchat #vanmeter https://t.co/3CDWL3VgNi [source]

Thrifty Nifty Mommy

It's @The_Pigeon party time! The brand new Mo Willems book, ''The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!' is out. So we threw a party and ate some delicious cookies. Head over to learn more and print an awesome Roll Out Sugar Cookie Recipe: https://t.co/86EVZAyziR #ReadMoWillems #recipe https://t.co/whk6hdIcR3 [source]

26

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

J. K. Rowling

4.4

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley - a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at t

Recommended by Joe Lycett.

Joe Lycett

guys i just read this book called harry potter well worth checking out it’s about a really interesting magic lad [source]

27

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Anna Dewdney

4.3

Llama, Llama red pajama waiting, waiting for his mama. Mama isn’t coming yet. Baby Llama starts to fret. In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to se

Recommended by Chitra Soundar.

Chitra Soundar

I first read this a long time ago and I didn’t necessarily think of it as an anxiety book but after looking at it again, I realised it was about the ‘Mum hasn’t come home’ worry. The phenomenon of parents working or doing shift work or one parent having to go away or to travel for work is so common. Especially if the mum is working, this book is a great way to talk to the child about this type of anxiety. [source]

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28

The Doghouse

Jan Thomas

4.3

Mouse, Pig, Cow, and Duck are playing a carefree game of ball when (horror of horrors!) their ball gets kicked into . . . THE DOGHOUSE. Who will risk a run-in with scary Dog to get it back? Hysterical high anxiety ensues as Mouse volunteers each animal to do the dirty work—but you’ll never believe what’s really going on in the doghouse! With Jan Thomas’s fun, fresh art and priceless animal express

29

Creepy Carrots!

Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown

4.3

The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in this clever picture book parable about a rabbit who fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots.

He eats them on the way to school.

He eats them going to Little League.

He eats them walking home.

Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?

Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s

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30

Fever 1793

Laurie Halse Anderson

4.3

Preview Summary

It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn't get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, l

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31

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Emily Gravett

4.3

Young children will identify with the little mouse who documents his fears in the pages of this book - from loud noises and the dark to being sucked down the plughole.

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32

Star Wars: Are You Scared, Darth Vader?

Adam Rex

4.3

Darth Vader isn't scared! Nothing can scare Lord Vader.
Right?

33

Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking

David Bayles, Ted Orland

4.3

"This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Ordinary art means something like: all art not made by Mozart. After all, art is rarely made by Mozart-like people; essentially-statistically speaking-there aren't any people like that. Geniuses get made once-a-century or so, yet good art gets made all the time, so to equate the making of art with the workings of genius removes this intimately human

Recommended by Juliette Aristides.

Juliette Aristides

The authors believe that art can be taught, and moreover learned, and the traps that waylay our efforts can be avoided or managed with some cheerful guidance. [source]

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34

The Darkest Dark

Chris Hadfield, Kate Fillion, Eric Fan, Terry Fan

4.3

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible.

Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem--at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark.
But when he watch

35

Fear(Gone, #5)

Michael Grant

4.3

It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-wo

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36

The Terrible Plop

Ursula Dubosarsky, Andrew Joyner

4.3

In this uproarious update of a favorite story, an unexplained noise leads to pandemonium among the animals. The fox, the elephant, even the big brown bear prove no match for the Terrible Plop. Only the littlest bunny learns not to panic when the sky—or something else up there—is falling.

Bright, energetic illustrations and a lively rhyming text combine to make this a perfect read-aloud story for li

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37

The Black Rabbit

Philippa Leathers

4.3

In this clever picture book, a debut author-illustrator introduces a plucky rabbit and the new companion that he just can’t shake.

Rabbit has a problem. There’s a large black rabbit chasing him. No matter where he runs — behind a tree, over the river — the shadowy rabbit follows. Finally in the deep, dark wood, Rabbit loses his nemesis — only to encounter a real foe! Kids who like to be in on the s

38

The Gruffalo

Julia Donaldson

4.3

A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . . . the gruffalo! As Mouse explains, the gruffalo is a creature with terrible claws, and terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, and knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its

39

A Monster Calls

Patrick Ness, Jim Kay

4.3

An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting - he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started

40

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hunter S. Thompson

4.3

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken.

Recommended by Bill Earner and Matthew O’Brien.

Bill Earner

My favorites novels are 100 Years of Solitude, All the King's Men, The Last Samurai, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. [source]

Matthew O’Brien

It’s one of my favourite books and probably my favourite Las Vegas-related book. Hunter S Thompson came out here in the early 70s to cover the Mint 400 off-road race for Sports Illustrated. He ended up writing a 10,000-word riff on his visit. In 1971, Jann Wenner ultimately published two long sections of it in Rolling Stone. Those two stories were the foundation for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. [source]

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41

Tiger vs. Nightmare

Emily Tetri

4.3

Tiger is a very lucky kid: she has a monster living under her bed. Every night, Tiger and Monster play games until it’s time for lights out. Of course, Monster would never try to scare Tiger—that’s not what best friends do.

But Monster needs to scare someone…it’s a monster, after all. So while Tiger sleeps, Monster scares all of her nightmares away. Thanks to her friend, Tiger has nothing but good

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42

Go Away, Big Green Monster!

Ed Emberley

4.2

OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD!
This classic interactive book that has been helping children chase away nighttime fears for 25 years is perfect for Halloween--and all-year round!
Caldecott Award-winner Ed Emberley has created an ingenious way for children to overcome bedtime frights. As kids turn the die-cut pages of this vibrantly illustrated book, they'll watch the Big Green Monster grow before thei

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43

I'm a Shark

Bob Shea

4.2

Shark's not afraid of anything.

The dark?

Nah.

A big mean bear?

Don't make him laugh!

But there is one thing that even Shark fears. . . . Can you guess what it is?

44

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Brené Brown

4.2

Preview Summary

Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is

Recommended by AnneMarie Schindler, Chase Jarvis, and Chelsea Frank.

AnneMarie Schindler

I suggest these books because they really open up 'how' you think about life and in turn work, success/challenges/setbacks, and in general, yourself. I believe that the more you can understand yourself and broaden your approach to work, the easier it will be to find work that energizes you. Finally, I'm a team player at heart, and love working with others to achieve a huge goal so a portion of these deal with team composition and performance too. [source]

Chase Jarvis

Chase Jarvis recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show". [source]

Chelsea Frank

I read everything with an open mind, often challenging myself by choosing books with an odd perspective or religious/spiritual views. These books do not reflect my personal feelings but are books that helped shape my perspective on life, love, and happiness. [source]

45

Coraline

Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean

4.2

Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it, too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and their aging Highland terriers ("We trod the boards, luvvy") and the mustachioed old man under the roof ("'The reason you cannot see the mouse circus,' said the man upstairs, 'is that the mice are not yet ready and

Recommended by Simon Smith.

Simon Smith

@lindsanderson @Misterbodd @PaulWat5 @f33lthesun Awesomely scary book full stop! Great though. [source]

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46

Bear Feels Scared

Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman

4.2

Bad weather frightens Bear, but his woodland friends are there to help him in this sweet, reassuring Bear story from bestselling duo Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman!

In the deep, dark woods
by the Strawberry Vale,
a big bear lumbers
down a small, crooked trail…

The sun is setting and it’s getting chilly. When Bear’s friends discover that he is not at home in his lair, they march out into the cold to find

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47

Fraidyzoo

Thyra Heder

4.2

It’s a great day to go to the zoo! As her family hustles to get out the door, Little T lags behind. She’s afraid to go back to the zoo; the only trouble is, she can’t remember why. As an ingenious solution to help her remember, her mom, dad, and sister construct homemade costumes and act out zoo animals—in alphabetical order, no less! The costumes and scenes grow increasingly elaborate and breatht

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48

The Watermelon Seed

Greg Pizzoli

4.2

With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realized? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love.
With bold color and beautiful sense of design, Greg Pizzoli's picture book debut takes this familiar ch

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49

What Do You Do with a Problem?

Kobi Yamada, Mae Besom

4.2

From the same author and illustrator as our #1 nationally best-selling What Do You Do With an Idea? comes a new book to encourage you to look closely at problems and discover the possibilities they can hold.

What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it?

This is the story of a per

50

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Knuffle Bunny, #1)

Mo Willems

4.2

Merging expressive cartoon network-esque illustrations with beautiful black and white photographs of Brooklyn, this funny story tells how Trixie and Knuffle Bunny's trip to the laundromat with Dad goes terribly wrong when Trixie realizes some bunny's been left behind...! Her attempts to alert Dad all the way home are unsuccessful, until Mom points out that Knuffle Bunny is missing and the family h

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51

Der Besuch

Friedrich Duerrenmatt

4.2

Die menschenscheue Elise trifft auf Emil, einen neugierigen, kleinen Jungen. Diese Begegnung bringt Farbe in ihr Leben. Elise ist eine ängstliche, menschenscheue Frau. Sogar vor Bäumen fürchtet sie sich. Als eines Tages ein Papierfl ieger durch ihr Zimmerfenster segelt, kann sie nachts vor Aufregung kein Auge zutun. Am nächsten Morgen klopft Emil, ein Junge mit Baseballkappe, an ihrer Tür. Er such

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52

Big Bad Bubble

Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri

4.2

A bubble is a sneaky thing. It appears out of nowhere, then it attacks! At least, that's what Mogo says. He has convinced the other monsters in La La Land that bubbles are scary. But you know better, don't you? Talk to the monsters. See if you can convince them not to be afraid.

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53

First Day Jitters

Julie Danneberg, Judy Love

4.2

Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by M

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54

Nana in the City

Lauren Castillo

4.2

A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book
In this magical picture book, a young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary—but wonderful. The succinct text is paired with

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55

Lenny & Lucy

Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead

4.2

Peter and his father are moving to a new house beyond the dark unfriendly woods. When they arrive at their new home, Peter wants to turn back. Fortunately, he has Harold for company, but Harold is just a dog and can't help Peter. Scared of the things hidden in the woods, Peter makes a tall pile of pillows. He stitches and sews. He pushes and pulls. And when he is done, he has Lenny, Guardian of th

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56

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)

Suzanne Collins

4.2

SPARKS ARE IGNITING.
FLAMES ARE SPREADING.
AND THE CAPITAL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are wh

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57

Walk On!: A Guide for Babies of All Ages

Marla Frazee

4.2

Trying something new is never easy. Like walking, for instance. But aren't you sick of sitting on your bottom day in and day out? Hasn't lying around all the time become a little bit boring? This handy guide, both practical and inspirational, is here to help. With useful tips, common pitfalls, and Marla Frazee's adorable illustrations, this book is perfect for anyone--from a baby to a graduate to

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58

Fear: Trump in the White House

Bob Woodward

4.2

With authoritative reporting honed through eight presidencies from Nixon to Obama, author Bob Woodward reveals in unprecedented detail the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White House and precisely how he makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies. Woodward draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand sources, meeting notes, personal diaries, files and docume

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59

Wonder

R. J. Palacio

4.2

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING JULIA ROBERTS, OWEN WILSON, AND JACOB TREMBLAY!

Over 6 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face.

The book that inspired the Choose Kind movement.

I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman was born wi

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60

Lubna and Pebble

Wendy Meddour, Daniel Egnéus

4.2

In an unforgettable story that subtly addresses the refugee crisis, a young girl must decide if friendship means giving up the one item that gives her comfort during a time of utter uncertainty.

Lubna's best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebb

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61

Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy

Jan Thomas

4.2

A Simon & Schuster eBook

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62

Hannah and Sugar

Kate Berube

4.1

Every day after school, Hannah’s school bus is greeted by her classmate’s dog, Sugar. All of the other kids love Sugar, but Hannah just can’t conquer her fear of dogs. Then, one day, Sugar goes missing, so Hannah joins the search with her classmates. Will Hannah find a way to be brave, and make a new friend in the process?

63

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

Rick Riordan

4.1

Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, a

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64

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend

Mélanie Watt

4.1

That lovable little worrywart is back. And he's as scaredy as ever! In his latest adventure, Scaredy Squirrel sets out to make The Perfect Friend.

And once he's spotted a perfectly safe candidate (with no teeth), Scaredy's ready. Armed with a name tag, mittens, a mirror and a lemon, he's prepared to make The Perfect First Impression. But just when every detail is under control, Scaredy's Action Pl

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65

Touching Spirit Bear

Ben Mikaelsen, Lee Tergesen, et al

4.1

Within Cole Matthews lies anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Peter Driscal in the parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Peter may have permanent brain damage and Cole is in the biggest trouble of his life.

Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the c

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66

The Island

Armin Greder

4.1

Poignant and chilling, this allegory is an astonishing, powerful, and timely story about refugees, xenophobia, racism, multiculturalism, social politics, and human rights. When the people of an island find a man sitting on their shore, they immediately reject him because he is different. Fearful to the point of delusional paranoia, the islanders lock him in a goat pen, refuse him work, and feed hi

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67

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1)

Peter V. Brett

4.1

As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. It was not always this way. Once, men and wom

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68

There's an Alligator under My Bed

Mercer Mayer

4.1

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69

There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Mercer Mayer

4.1

"Childhood fear of the dark and the resulting exercise in imaginative exaggeration are given that special Mercer Mayer treatment in this dryly humorous fantasy."
-School Library Journal

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70

Bird Box

Josh Malerman

4.1

Something is out there...

Something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.

Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remain, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now, th

71

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Michael Rosen, Helen Oxenbury

4.1

Come along on a bear hunt in this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one.. Will you come too? For more than twenty-five years readers have been swishy swashing and splash sploshing through this award-winning favorite. Join in the fun!

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72

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Max Lucado

4.1

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word "terror." Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and

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73

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

Mo Willems

4.1

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster--terrible at being a monster that is. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to frighten anyone. Determined to succeed, Leonardo sets himself to training and research. Finally, he finds a nervous little boy, and scares the tuna salad out of him! But scaring people isn't quite as satisfying as he thought it would be. Leonardo realizes that he might be a terr

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74

The I'M NOT SCARED Book

Todd Parr

4.1

Sometimes I'm scared of dogs.
I'm not scared when they give me kisses.

Sometimes I'm scared I will make a mistake.
I'm not scared when I know I tried my best.

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the subject of all things scary and assures readers that all of us are afraid sometimes.

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75

Night Animals

Gianna Marino

4.1

Something's out there in the dark!

First Possum hears it. Then Skunk. Then Wolf comes running."What could it possibly be?" asks Bat.

"Night Animals!" the animals declare.

"But you are night animals," Bat informs this not-so-smart crew.

Children will love the oh-so-funny animals in this twist on a cozy bedtime book.

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76

Brave Squish Rabbit

Katherine Battersby

4.1

Who's afraid of the dark?
Not Squish!

Squish Rabbit is a very small rabbit, and he's afraid of lots of things. Like storms. And chickens (you would be too, if you were small!). And the dark. Especially the dark. But when he goes to meet his good friend Twitch the squirrel one evening, he can't find her. She's missing! And it's getting dark! Squish knows he must be brave to find her, but it takes a

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77

Sheila Rae, the Brave

Kevin Henkes

4.1

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Sheila Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn't always know better! This picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in partic

78

Chains (Seeds of America, #1)

Laurie Halse Anderson

4.1

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Pa

79

The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2)

Patrick Rothfuss

4.1

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread path

80

The Giver (The Giver, #1)

Lois Lowry

4.1

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community.

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81

The Koala Who Could

Rachel Bright and Jim Field

4.1

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82

When You Reach Me

Rebecca Stead

4.1

Miranda is an ordinary sixth grader, until she starts receiving mysterious messages from somebody who knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

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83

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Anna Dewdney

4.0

Strange new teacher.
Strange new toys.
Lots of kids and lots of noise!

What would Llama like to do?
Llama Llama feels so new . . .

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama

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84

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Jill Tomlinson

4.0

Plop the baby barn owl has a large appetite and adventurous spirit, but is, of all things, afraid of the dark. This is the story of how, with the help of some kind people, he discovers how wonderful the dark can be.

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85

The Giant Jumparee

RIGBY

4.0

86

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert

4.0

Preview Summary

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller

"A must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life... I dare you not to be inspired to be brave, to be free, and to be curious.” —PopSugar

From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and City of Girls: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of

Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from El

Recommended by Mark Manson and Chelsea Frank.

Mark Manson

Founder/MarkManson.net

I read a bunch of books on writing before I wrote my first book and the two that stuck with me were Stephen King’s book and “On Writing Well” by Zinsser (which is a bit on the technical side). I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic.” [source]

Chelsea Frank

I read everything with an open mind, often challenging myself by choosing books with an odd perspective or religious/spiritual views. These books do not reflect my personal feelings but are books that helped shape my perspective on life, love, and happiness. [source]

87

Twilight (Twilight, #1)

Stephenie Meyer

4.0

About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.

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88

Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest

Edward T. Welch

4.0

Running Scared, an examination of the biblical roadmap to a life of peace and security, is written for those who appreciate a comprehensive analysis written in conversational prose.

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89

Blindness

Jose Saramago

4.0

From Nobel Prize–winning author José Saramago, a magnificent, mesmerizing parable of loss

A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" that spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and assaulting women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides her charges—among them a boy w

Recommended by Leah Lizarondo and Samantha Harvey.

Leah Lizarondo

The version of dystopia in this book is provocative but truly, the style and structure is what makes the book even more memorable. I always think about our humanity and how fallible we are. I love that this book tackles that but ultimately, our true core--what is good--triumphs. That is pretty much how I look at life. [source]

Samantha Harvey

It because it brings up the question of what conditions are necessary for sanity and what happens when you take those conditions away. [source]

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90

Sam, the Most Scaredy-cat Kid in the Whole World

Mo Willems

4.0

One day Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world, makes a terrifying discovery. It's not Frankenthaler the monster. It's her friend--Kerry!

Kerry, the second most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world, also makes a terrifying discovery. It's not Leonardo the monster. It's his friend--Sam!

"AAAAH!" yells Sam.

"EEEEK!" yells Kerry.

Something has to be done. Something BIG. But what?

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91

[I Am Not Scared ,That's Not Mine, You Are Not Small by Anna Kang 3 Books Series Set]

Anna Kang

4.0

Two fuzzy friends go to an amusement park. They try to convince each other that there are much scarier things than the roller coaster. Hairy spiders! Aliens! Fried ants! They soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t as “scary” as they thought. With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) being scared features the endearing characters from the Theodor

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92

The Boy Who Dared

Susan Campbell Bartoletti

4.0

A youth in Nazi Germany tells the truth about Hitler.

Bartoletti has taken one episode from her Newbery Honor Book, Hitler Youth, and fleshed it out into a full novel.

When 16-year-old Helmut Hubner listens to the BBC news on an illegal short-wave radio, he quickly discovers Germany is lying to the people. But when he tries to expose the truth with leaflets, he's tried for treason. Sentenced to deat

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93

Owl Babies

Martin Waddell

4.0

This is the story of three baby owls who wake up one night in their hole in the tree to find that their mother has gone, so they sit on the branch and wait, wondering when she will return. At last she does, and they all bounce up and down with joy, welcoming her home.

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94

Fear is a Liar: How to Stop Anxious Thoughts and Experience God's Love

Daniel B Lancaster

4.0

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95

Ira Sleeps Over

Bernard Waber

4.0

Ira is thrilled to spend the night at Reggie's, until his sister raises the question of whether he should take his teddy bear.

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96

I Don't Like Koala

Sean Ferrell and Charles Santoso

4.0

What’s not to love about a cute, cuddly...creepy toy koala? This is the story of a boy and the stuffed animal he just can’t seem to shake.

Adam does not like Koala. Koala is a little creepy.

Adam tries explaining this to his parents. He tries putting Koala away—far away. He tries taking Koala on a long, long walk. Nothing works. Will Adam ever be rid of Koala?

This darkly funny debut picture book fro

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97

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2020: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

Richard N. Bolles

4.0

Preview Summary

It is the first thing he puts on each morning. It gives him the courage to deal with all kinds of tricky situations, such as getting out of bed, sliding off a chair, and riding his bike. But sometimes someone else's trouble can be greater than your own, and this is what Toby discovers one day. This powerful and fantastical story about a fearful child finding his independence is from the author and

98

The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark

Deborah Diesen

4.0

The funny follow up to the New York Times bestselling The Pout-Pout Fish from Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna

Mr. Fish wants to help his friend Ms. Clam when she loses her pearl, but though he's fast as a sailfish, as smart as dolphin, and as strong as a shark, Mr. Fish has a secret: he's scared of the dark!

Very young children will swim along with Mr. Fish as he journeys deep into the ocean to new and

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99

Parts

Tedd Arnold

4.0

The young narrator has discovered a disturbing trend: There's fuzz in his belly button his toes are peeling and something just fell out of his nose. The last straw is a loose tooth, which convinces him of the awful truth his parts are coming unglued!Parts deals with a subject of deepest interest to every young child: the stuff our bodies shed.

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100

Ladybug Girl at the Beach

David Soman, Jacky Davis

4.0

Lulu loves the beach. Well, she’s never been there before, but she knows she will love it. And then she sees the ocean and it is big and loud and rough. That’s okay—Lulu wanted to build sand castles and fly her kite with Bingo anyway. But while they are building their sand castle, the sneaky ocean comes in and tries to steal Lulu’s favorite pail. This is a job for Ladybug Girl!

Lulu conquers her f