Surprising Stories That Spark Curiosity, Creativity, and Conversation
Some books stand out because they’re unlike anything else—whether it’s a strange plot twist, a surprising narrator, or a beautifully weird world you’ve never imagined. Unique and interesting books grab children’s attention, stretch their imaginations, and make reading feel like an unpredictable adventure.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite unique and interesting books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included curiosity-sparking activities and creative questions to help kids dive deeper into these wonderfully unusual stories. Let me know which book your readers can’t stop talking about!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Uniqueness?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Uniqueness
- 11 Unique and Interesting Books For Children
- What Unique and Interesting Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Uniqueness?
Unique books invite children to think differently, ask questions, and enjoy the unexpected.
Whether it’s a story told backward, a book that breaks the fourth wall, or one that introduces new ways of thinking, these stories shake up the traditional format—and kids love that! They challenge readers to imagine big, explore weirdness, and find joy in what makes something different.
These books also help kids celebrate their own individuality and develop flexible, creative thinking.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Uniqueness
Books that break the mold help children think critically, laugh unexpectedly, and learn that stories don’t have to follow the rules.
They often play with structure, perspective, art style, or genre—and in doing so, they stretch children’s sense of what’s possible. These stories spark new conversations and help kids become more open to different ideas, cultures, and storytelling techniques.
They also build curiosity—a key trait for strong learners, artists, and future innovators.
How to Use Books about Uniqueness with Children
Here’s how to help kids explore the magic of out-of-the-box storytelling:
- 🌀 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What surprised you the most about this book? or If you could rewrite this story, what would you change or keep? Use Turn and Talk to invite multiple interpretations.
- 🎨 Engage in Unusual Book-Themed Activities: Create a mixed-up story by folding paper into panels and passing it along, draw an “impossible animal” inspired by a weird book character, or write a story from an object’s point of view (like a crayon, a chair, or the moon!).
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During writing, art, or creative problem-solving time, reference unique stories to remind kids: There’s no one right way to tell a story! Let their imagination lead the way.
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Encourage families to explore quirky books together and talk about what makes them different or special. Share a list of books that break the rules in fun ways for a family reading challenge!
11 Unique and Interesting Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
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A silly and musical board book full of animal sounds that toddlers will love to repeat.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own animal sound band with homemade instruments.
Discussion Questions:
- What sound does your favorite animal make?
- Why do you think the pigs say “La La La”?
- Can you make up your own silly animal sound?
#2 Swimmy by Leo Lionni
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Swimmy, a brave little fish, teaches others the power of unity and courage in the sea.
Activity Suggestion: Create a big fish art piece using fingerprints or paper fish to form one large shape.
Discussion Questions:
- How did Swimmy help the other fish?
- What does it mean to be brave?
- How can we work together like the fish?
#3 The Red Book by Barbara Lehman
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This wordless picture book shows the power of imagination and connection across the world.
Activity Suggestion: Tell your own version of the story through drawings or narration.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think the red book can do?
- How did the characters feel when they found each other?
- Would you like to find a magic book?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Does Anyone Love Me? by David E Dussourd
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A sweet story about a little puppy searching for love and belonging.
Activity Suggestion: Write or draw one way you show someone you love them.
Discussion Questions:
- Why was the puppy feeling sad?
- What helped him feel better?
- How can we show someone they are loved?
#5 Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry
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A lively look at different jobs and how people help a community.
Activity Suggestion: Pretend play “jobs” in the classroom or at home (doctor, baker, builder).
Discussion Questions:
- What job looks the most fun to you?
- How do these jobs help the town?
- What job would you like to do?
#6 Before and After by Jean Jullien
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A playful look at opposites and changes with clever illustrations.
Activity Suggestion: Make a before/after drawing of your morning routine.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some other “before and after” examples?
- Why do things change over time?
- Can change be funny or surprising?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein
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A poetic journey that introduces the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfection.
Activity Suggestion: Create a collage from torn or imperfect scraps that make a beautiful picture.
Discussion Questions:
- What does “Wabi Sabi” mean?
- Can something be beautiful even if it’s not perfect?
- What’s something imperfect that you love?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Stories from Moominvalley by Alex Haridi
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Magical tales of friendship, adventure, and emotions from the beloved Moomin world.
Activity Suggestion: Draw your favorite Moomin character and write a new adventure.
Discussion Questions:
- Which story did you like best?
- What do the Moomins do when they feel scared or happy?
- Would you like to visit Moominvalley?
#9 Theodore and The Cat with the Missing Sock by Cory Q Tan
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A detective-style adventure as Theodore helps his friend solve a cozy mystery.
Activity Suggestion: Create your own mystery using socks or small objects to “hide” and find.
Discussion Questions:
- How did Theodore help solve the problem?
- Why is it fun to solve mysteries?
- Who would you want on your detective team?
#10 The Magical Tree by Myriam Ouyessad
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A beautiful story of seasons, growth, and wonder as seen through a magical tree’s life.
Activity Suggestion: Paint or draw a tree showing all four seasons.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the tree magical?
- What happens to trees during the year?
- What season do you think is most magical?
#11 Flotsam by David Wiesner
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This wordless book invites readers to discover an underwater world through a found camera.
Activity Suggestion: Create a comic strip with your own underwater photo story.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think the boy saw in the pictures?
- How did the story travel without words?
- Would you keep or return the camera?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Unique and Interesting Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Unique books for kids are often the ones that stick—because they’re bold, weird, funny, or totally unexpected. They help children see the world in new ways and remind them that creativity has no limits.
Which out-of-the-box book is on your list? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite wonderfully weird titles, wacky crafts, or curious questions that came from these fun reads!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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