Book picks similar to
The Race of the Century by Barry Downard


picture-books
fairy-tale
animals
fairy-tales

What Makes a Monster?: Discovering the World's Scariest Creatures


Jess Keating - 2017
     Some people think monsters are the stuff of nightmares--the stuff of scary movies and Halloween. But monsters can also be found right in your backyard. Animals like aye-ayes, goblin sharks and vampire bats may look scary, but they pose no threat to humans. Others, such as the prairie dog, seem innocent--cute, even--yet their behavior could give you goose bumps. What makes a monster? Read this book to find out, if you dare. . . . Jess Keating and David DeGrand, the author illustrator team behind Pink Is for Blobfish will have readers shrieking with laughter at this latest installment to the World of Weird Animals series.

Hello, Door


Alastair Heim - 2018
    He collects fine art and jewelry, practices his golf swing, and devours a tasty snack along the way. But just when he thinks he’s in the clear to leave with all the goods, the owners of the house—a mama bear, papa bear, and baby bear—come home. They chase him through the house, and when the mama bear catches him, she promptly throws him out. But she throws him so far that he ends up in a much nicer neighborhood—in front of a mansion, in fact—where he can begin his mischievous adventure again!

The Cat Wants Cuddles


P. Crumble - 2017
    He doesn't want a tickle. And he definitely does NOT want a cuddle. There's absolutely no way this hilarious cat is going to change his mind about that. Or will he?

Eek, You Reek!: Poems about Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk


Jane Yolen - 2019
    Where you have been Things stink, stank, stunk. You've left a path, A swath of smell, And--yuck! You did it very well. Readers will be delighted by the malodorous melodies of poems calling out the different pungent attributes of a full cast of foul-smelling creatures.

Dogs and Their People


Anne Lambelet - 2019
    There are small people with tall dogs, people and dogs who share ice cream, and even pairs with matching mustachios. Some people are just like their dogs and some are very different, but no matter what, it’s clear that they’re the best of friends. When the girl finally makes it home, she has her own best friend waiting for her – and readers are in for a delightful surprise.Amusing observations and charming illustrations highlight a parade of colorful characters in this celebration of man’s best friend. This showcase of delightful dogs and their people is perfect for every animal lover.

The Princess Knight


Cornelia Funke - 2001
    But she wants to be a knight. At night, she practises at becoming the best knight in the land. When her father, the king, stages a tournament for Violetta's hand in marriage, she knows she must win the greatest battle yet, for the most important prize of all - herself.

Little Red Gliding Hood


Tara Lazar - 2015
    But who will be her partner? The Dish is already dancing with the Spoon, and Hansel is spinning Gretel like sugar. You won’t believe what big eyes, sharp teeth, and long snout her partner has…all the better to spin her with!

The Fairiest Fairy


Anne Booth - 2016
    There’s no way she’ll be picked as the Fairiest Fairy. Or is there?Betty can’t paint a rainbow or scatter dewdrops, and her pirouettes are, well, pretty precarious. With so many animals to rescue and friends to help, there’s just no time for Betty to perfect all the things a fairy is supposed to know how to do. But when the fairy ball arrives, Betty’s friends return her gifts of kindness in hopes that the King and Queen will decide that Betty truly is the Fairiest Fairy of them all!

Snoring Beauty


Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen - 2014
    But just as he begins to drift off, he's awoken by a tremendous roar. SNOOOOGA-SNOOOOOM! KER-SCHUPPP! Sleeping Beauty is snoring . . . again! When the handsome Prince Max arrives, Mouse thinks he's found the perfect scheme: He'll convince the prince to kiss Beauty and wake her up! But when Prince Max learns that Beauty is the one making such monstrous noises, will he still want to kiss her . . . or will he run away from the noisy princess, leaving her snoring for another hundred years?

Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying!: The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother


Trisha Speed Shaskan - 2011
    Along with bright, bold illustrations, the bestselling OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY series gives young children a fresh perspective on familiar tales. Read others in this series by acclaimed author Trisha Speed Shaskan, including TRULY, WE BOTH LOVE BEAUTY DEARLY! and HONESTLY, RED RIDING HOOD WAS ROTTEN!

Aesop's Fables


Jerry Pinkney - 2000
    Included are the Shepherd Boy and The Wolf, the Lion and the Mouse, the Tortoise and the Hare, plus many other charactersand moralsthat have inspired countless readers for centuries. With more than fifty magnificent full-color illustrations, this handsome edition is a must for every bookshelf.

Fox Tails: Four Fables from Aesop


Amy Lowry - 2012
    "The Fox and the Grapes," "The Fox and the Crow," "The Fox and the Goat," and "The Fox and the Stork" all come together to make an unusually eventful day for a tricky fox who is not quite as clever as he imagines.

Bedtime for Bad Kitty


Nick Bruel - 2021
    It's bedtime in the Bad Kitty household but Kitty does not want to go to bed.She doesn't want to brush her teeth.She doesn't want to put on her bunny pajamas.She doesn't want to use the potty.What she wants to do is:SING SING SING SING SING PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAYRUN RUN RUN RUN RUNFinally, when she runs out of ideas (and energy) and is promised a perfect bedtime story, Kitty gives in...but can she stay awake for the ending?This new picture book in the bestselling series is sure to be a bedtime favorite, complete with a paper doll activity kit!

If You Give a Mouse an iPhone: A Cautionary Tail


Ann Droyd - 2014
    And if he’s that far gone, he won’t have any idea what’s going on around him, and he might end up missing out on all the real fun.From the New York Times-bestselling author of Goodnight iPad comes a delightful new commentary on the perils of our tech-obsessed lives and a fully charged romp for readers of all ages.

You Don't Want a Unicorn!


Ame Dyckman - 2017
    Unbeknownst to him, unicorns make the absolutely worst pets: they shed, they poke holes in your ceiling, and they make a big mess. With a knowing wink from Ame Dyckman, creator of Wolfie the Bunny and cheerful illustrations from Rory the Dinosaur creator and Tumblr star Liz Climo, this rollicking story shares all of the ways a pet unicorn can ruin your life, and is sure to have readers in stitches.