12 Read Alikes for Elephant & Piggie Fans
For kids (and adults) who are fans of Mo Willems’ and his adorable Elephant & Piggie series, I’ve collected a dozen titles that you might just need to check out! Elephant and Piggie like the predecessors, Frog and Toad, are two opposites who become the best of friends and balance each other out in the best of ways.
With simple text and engaging illustrations, it’s no wonder that Elephant and Piggie have quite the following. Not all beginner readers are created equal and it can be very difficult to find the right level of reading for your new reader that will challenge them, but not discourage them. With a variety of formats and levels of reading, you’re sure to find something on this list to fit the bill. And don’t forget, just because your little one is now reading on their own, you shouldn’t stop reading aloud as well! And these books are just as fun to read aloud as they are to practice reading skills!
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12 Read Alikes for Elephant & Piggie Fans
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests—making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade—goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles’s leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what’s wrong. Sparkles doesn’t want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won’t want to hear. What Sparkles doesn’t know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever?
Clara and Clem In Outer Space by Ethan Long
When Clara and Clem build a robot out of blocks, they have no idea where the robot (and their imaginations) will take them. But soon enough, they are in outer space! They see planets and stars, aliens, and Mars.
The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat
Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . and four of them! They need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!
Croc and Aly: Friends Forever by Derek Anderson
Croc is grumpy. Ally is happy. Croc sees a problem. Ally finds a solution. In Friends Forever, whether it’s choosing new chairs, going for a walk, or looking for the moon, these best friends will always work together despite their differences.
Duck, Duck, Porcupine by Salina Yoon
Big Duck likes to boss around her younger brother, Little Duck, and she fancies herself the leader of their trio–when joined by their gentle friend Porcupine. Little Duck doesn’t speak yet, but through his expressions and his actions, he shows that he has a better grasp on any situation than his older sister. Told entirely through dialogue and visual storytelling with subtle humor throughout, Little Duck ends up getting the trio out of whatever jam they are in.
I Really Dig Pizza! by Candy James
When Archie stumbles upon a gift-wrapped pizza in the forest, he wonders who would possibly leave a perfectly good treat just lying around? So he does the only sensible thing and buries it so he can dig it up later for dinner! But with tummy rumbling, Archie discovers Reddie is trying to solve a mystery. It seems she’s found a pile of dirt and wants to get to the bottom of it! Will Archie attempt to derail her investigation? You bet! But will he also ultimately fess up and share the cheesy goodness with Reddie? And who left that present in the forest anyway? It’s all a mystery, and you’ll have to read to find out what happens!
Jack Blasts Off! by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Greg PIzzoli
When the Lady is mad at Jack, she decides to send him and Rex on a one-way trip to outer space. While she enjoys some rare peace and quiet, Jack and Rex get into trouble, resulting in their exile to the dark side of the moon. After an alien chase and some snacks, Jack and Rex get blasted home to Earth. But will the Lady take naughty Jack back?
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! by Ben Clanton
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever — even though it doesn’t have any words…or pictures!
A Pig, a Fox, and a Box by Jonathan Fenske
In the style of Mo Willems, Jonathan Fenske tells three humorous stories of two friends, Fox and Pig, and their shenanigans with a cardboard box. Fox is sly and sneaky, but is he sneaky enough to play tricks on Pig? It doesn’t often turn out well for Fox! With comic art and simple language, this title is sure to have kids rolling with laughter.
Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell
Rabbit is excited: his friend Robot is coming to spend the night! Rabbit has left nothing to chance and has drawn up a list of all the things they will do. First off is making pizza, but Robot only likes nuts and bolts and screws on top (good thing he has magnetic hands). Next on the list is watching TV, but the remote is missing, and Rabbit is panicking! Will Robot find a logical (and rather obvious) solution to the problem? Number three is . . . uh-oh! Why is Robot lying down instead of playing Go Fish? And what is that message reading “BAT” printing out from a slot on his front? An adventure about a rabbit who likes to be in control and an obliging robot who calmly keeps their friendship humming.
What is Chasing Duck? by Jan Thomas
What is chasing Duck? Is it something wild and hairy? Does it have big teeth? Who will help protect Duck? Featuring Jan Thomas’s wonderfully wacky humor, rowdy repetitions, and hilarious characters, this book is sure to have young readers laughing out loud!
What Is Inside THIS Box? by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Olivier Tallec
In this book, Monkey and Cake cannot agree what’s inside Monkey’s mysterious box. Is it a kitty? Is it a dinosaur? How will they find out — and what do you think is inside? With Daywalt’s signature quirky style, the relatable humor of Elephant and Piggie, and the wise friendship of Frog and Toad, Monkey and Cake invites readers to laugh along and let their imaginations soar.
