Merran Carr-Wiggin is a former Library Assistant at the Strathcona Branch of the Edmonton Public Library.
There are plenty of benefits of reading with your kids, but one we don’t often think about is how reading (and re-reading) your children’s favourite books with them again and again can open up new areas of interest for parents too.
These 13 match-ups pair a fun kids’ book with an adult-appropriate read on the same subject (and in a few special cases, by the same author). Take the opportunity to dive a little deeper into a fun new subject. Who knows, you might even discover some interesting facts you can share with your little one!
Bonus? These picks are the perfect way to get your reading hours in for our Summer Starts, opens a new window and Summer Reads ‘18, opens a new window reading clubs for kids and adults.
Browse these titles now for FREE with your library card. Don’t have one? Sign up for free online., opens a new window
1. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose
Jael Ealey Richardson writes about her father, Chuck Ealey, a Canadian Football League star.
For Kids: The Stone Thrower, opens a new window by Jael Ealey Richardson
The Stone Thrower is available as a book, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
For Parents: The Stone Thrower: A Daughter’s Lessons, A Father’s Life, opens a new window by Jael Ealey Richardson
The Stone Thrower is available as a book, opens a new window.
2. Raising the March Women
Read the classic tale of Little Women, or delve into the life of their dad in this story inspired by the letters and journals of Louisa May Alcott’s father.
For Kids: Little Women, opens a new window by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: March, opens a new window by Geraldine Brooks
March is available as a book, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
3. A Trip to Birmingham
Explore the history of Birmingham, Alabama with these two tales of love and resilience set during the civil rights movement.
For Kids: The Watsons Go to Birmingham, opens a new window by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Watsons Go to Birmingham is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age During the Civil Rights Movement, opens a new window by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
While the World Watched is available as an eBook, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
4. Curl up with a Classic Old English Tale
Test your old English skills with the original Canterbury Tales or the delightful comic strip retelling.
For Kids: Here Bygynneth Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, opens a new window Marcia Williams
Here Bygynneth Chaucer’s Caterbury Tales is available as a book, opens a new window.
For Parents: Canterbury Tales, opens a new window by Geoffrey Chaucer
Canterbury Tales is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.
5. Snow Day, Any Day
If winter is your season of choice, why not read this biography of a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of individual snowflakes in order to study their unique formations?
For Kids: Snowflake Bentley, opens a new window by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Snowflake Bentley is available as a book, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: Snowflakes in Photographs, opens a new window by W.A. Bentley
Snowflakes in Photographs is available as an eBook, opens a new window.
6. Prairie Living
Delve into the lives of two incredible women, Laura Ingalls and Caroline Ingalls (Ma), who are living on the prairies and discovering new adventures as they travel to their new homes.
For Kids: Little House on the Prairie, opens a new window by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House on the Prairie is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: Caroline: Little House Revisited, opens a new window by Sarah Elizabeth Miller
Caroline is available as a book, opens a new window and large print edition, opens a new window.
7. Rebel Girls Rule
Discover the inspirational story of Malala Yousafzai through these two books written by her that offer perspective on the worldview that allowed her to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times.
For Kids: Malala’s Magic Pencil, opens a new window by Malala Yousafzai
Malala’s Magic Pencil is available as a book, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
For Parents: I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, opens a new window by Malala Yousafzai
I Am Malala is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and book club kit, opens a new window.
8. Zoom Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon
Learn about Astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station, in these delightful stories that offer lessons on thinking like an astronaut in order to be happy on earth.
For Kids: The Darkest Dark, opens a new window by Chris Hadfield
The Darkest Dark is available as a book, opens a new window.
For Parents: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, opens a new window by Chris Hadfield
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window and audiobook CD, opens a new window.
9. Are Wicked Witches Really That Bad?
Are you on team Dorothy or team Wicked Witch? Read these stories and compare notes on whether the witch is truly wicked or just misunderstood.
For Kids: The Wizard of Oz, opens a new window by Frank L. Baum
The Wizard of Oz is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: Wicked, opens a new window by Gregory Maguire
Wicked is available as a book, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
10. Let the Wild Rumpus Start
Discover your inner wild thing and roar that terrible roar of yours! Rediscover your love of one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time.
For Kids: Where the Wild Things, opens a new window Are by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are is available as a book, opens a new window and audiobook CD, opens a new window.
For Parents: Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult, opens a new window by Bruce Handy
Wild Things is available as a book, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.
11. Women in the Space Race
Learn the true story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, four incredible women who were really, really good at math.
For Kids: Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race, opens a new window by Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures is available as a book, opens a new window.
For Parents: Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, opens a new window by Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
12. You Are What You Eat
Uncover the fascinating, sometimes frightening truth about the fast food industry.
For Kids: Chew on This: The Unhappy Truth About Fast Food, opens a new window by Eric Schlosser
Chew on This is available as a book, opens a new window.
For Parents: Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
Fast Food Nation is available as a book, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
13. Spend an Afternoon in the Hundred Acre Wood
Explore The Hundred Acre Wood with Christopher Robin and his magical and whimsical friends Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. Then get a glimpse into the relationship between A. A. Milne and the real-life Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired this magical world.
For Kids: Winnie-the-Pooh, opens a new window by A.A. Milne
Winnie-the-Pooh is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.
For Parents: Goodbye Christopher Robin: A.A. Milne and the Making of Winnie-the-Pooh, opens a new window by Ann Thwaite
Goodbye Christopher Robin is available as a book, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
Looking for something specific? Try out NoveList. You can search topics and themes, find writers similar to an author you like or get read-alikes for specific titles.
Add a comment to: 13 Delightful Book Pairings for Kids and Parents