Books like

Books like The Lorax

12 books with a reading profile close to The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Practical, outward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.

1

Corduroy

by Don Freeman

Also practical and clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

Corduroy is a small bear in green overalls who lives on a shelf in a crowded department store.
2

The Story About Ping

by Marjorie Flack

Also practical and outward-looking · narrative, accessible

Ping, a young domestic duck, lives on a crowded houseboat on the Yangtze River alongside his extended family.
3

The Polar Express

by Chris Van Allsburg

Also practical and clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

On Christmas Eve, a young boy waits in bed for the sound of reindeer bells, only to find a steam engine idling in front of his house.
4

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Also clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

Esperanza Ortega lives a life of luxury on her family’s ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico, until her father’s sudden death and the destruction of her home by her uncles forces a sudden escape.
5

Maniac Magee

by Jerry Spinelli

Also clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

Jeffrey Lionel Magee is an orphaned runaway with legendary athletic abilities who settles in the racially divided town of Two Mills.
6

Touching Spirit Bear

by Ben Mikaelsen

Also clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

Cole Matthews, fifteen, is a violent young offender who has been sentenced to a Native-inspired form of justice called Circle Justice.
7

The Little Engine That Could

by Watty Piper

Also practical and outward-looking · inspirational, accessible

A train filled with dolls, toy animals, and nutritious food for children breaks down while attempting to cross a high mountain range.
8

Giraffes Can't Dance

by Giles Andreae

Also practical and clear-cut · inspirational, accessible

Gerald is a tall giraffe with thin legs and crooked knees who feels out of place at the annual Jungle Dance.
9

The Complete Adventures of Curious George

by Margret Rey

Also practical and outward-looking · narrative, accessible

This collection gathers the original seven stories featuring a small monkey named George and his guardian, the Man with the Yellow Hat.
10

The Grouchy Ladybug

by Eric Carle

Also practical and outward-looking · narrative, accessible

The story follows an aggressive ladybug who refuses to share a patch of aphids with another insect.
11

The Last Sin Eater

by Francine Rivers

Also clear-cut · inspirational, narrative

Set in the 1850s Appalachian Mountains, the narrative follows Cadi Forbes, a young girl burdened by the guilt of her sister’s death.
12

Tikki Tikki Tembo

by Arlene Mosel

Also practical and outward-looking · narrative, accessible

In a small village in ancient China, a mother honors her firstborn son by giving him the incredibly long name Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo, while her second son is named simply Chang.

Get picks matched to your own reading on papr.

Get papr

Your library, beautifully understood.