17 Delightful Books for Kids Who Love Elephant & Piggie
by Lindsay Barrett
When Mo Willems announced that his 25th Elephant & Piggie book, The Thank You Book, would be the last in the series, fans breathed a collective, dejected sigh. These titles delight readers in so many ways, from their expressive dialogue, positive messages, playful illustrations, and of course, the endearing characterization of the duo at the series’ heart. Fear not: If you and your kids love Elephant & Piggie’s hilarious, relatable antics, YOU’LL LOVE THESE BOOKS, TOO!!!!! (We were channeling our inner Gerald, there.)
-
I'm On It! - Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!
Available from:Two unlikely friends demonstrate early concept words like above, inside, on, around, and under. Their hilarious antics and silly conversations will remind kids of their other favorite friend duo. And having Elephant and Piggie introduce the book is the icing on an already fantastic cake.
Also available from: -
A Pig, a Fox, and a Box
Available from:Like Mo Willems, Jonathan Fenske succeeds in conveying plenty of comic nuance with broad pen strokes and minimalist speech bubbles in A Pig, a Fox, and a Box. Fox is constantly trying to play tricks on his patient friend Pig, but they always seem to backfire in hilarious ways. These three simple stories will keep young readers giggling until the final page.
Also available from: -
Archie & Reddie: I Really Dig Pizza
Available from:This early graphic novel series is about the oftentimes hilarious friendship between two adorable foxes. In this first book, Archie finds a deliciously cheesy pizza in the woods and buries it for safe-keeping. However, when Reddie later stumbles upon a suspicious pile of dirt, she's determined to find out how it got there. Can Archie keep her from discovering his secret pizza stash, or will he fess up and share it with his friend?
Also available from: -
Open Me...I'm a Dog
Available from:This book breaks the fourth wall and invites the reader to get involved in the story. Kids who have always wanted a dog will giggle over this book that might be a dog in disguise. Simple text and interactive humor make it an excellent choice for growing readers who want more books like Elephant & Piggie.
Also available from: -
Jack Blasts Off
Available from:This early reader series — starring an ornery rabbit named Jack and his canine friend, Rex — is packed with humor and heart. Wacky storylines will entertain fans of Elephant & Piggie, like in Jack Blasts Off, when the Lady “in charge” of Jack and Rex gets so tired of their shenanigans that she sends them to space! (Spoiler alert: They get into trouble there, too.) A fun how-to in the back teaches readers how to draw the simple-line characters to create their own Jack and Rex stories.
Also available from: -
I Lost My Tooth! - An Unlimited Squirrels Book
Available from:Kids who love Elephant & Piggie will also enjoy this title from the same author. Zoom the squirrel loses a tooth, and his friends try to help him look for it. With Mo Willems’s signature humor, puns, and illustrations, kids will feel right at home while reading this story.
Also available from: -
One Cool Duck #1
Available from:This graphic novel chapter book series is designed for growing readers who love books like Elephant & Piggie and are ready for the next step. Young readers will giggle over this story about a cool (but mean) cat who gets stuck up a tree and needs Duck and his friends to rescue him.
Also available from: -
Ducks Run Amok!
Available from:A large flock of noisy ducks takes over a turtle's peaceful pond. To make matters worse, the ducks think the turtle is a green duck! Will the green duck — er, turtle! — ever have quiet again? A delightfully silly and fun story told in hilarious rhymes and expressive comic-like panels.
Also available from: -
This Rock Is Mine!
Available from:Two frog friends find themselves at odds when they both want to claim the same spot on a rock. Using simple vocabulary and hilarious reasoning, the two argue until events take a surprising turn — and they happily decide to share the rock. Friendship, compromise, and expressive illustrations give off distinct Elephant & Piggie vibes.
Also available from: -
Friends Forever
Available from:Croc tends to be grumpy and particular, while Ally favors sunny optimism, but they do agree on one thing: Friends are important. In Friends Forever, three simple but enjoyable stories help early readers get to know these new characters. Also check out Croc and Ally: Fun, Fun, Fun!
Also available from: -
Bear in a Bathrobe
Available from:Bear is snuggled up in his den for the winter and has no plans of going outside until spring. His friends show up and convince him to explore the wintry world outside, and he reluctantly goes along. Told through comics-style illustrations, simple text, and speech bubbles, this giggle-worthy picture book is an excellent next-read for Elephant & Piggie fans!
Also available from: -
Fergus and Zeke
Available from:This series debut centers around a likable pair of friends. It’s a perfect option for when developing readers are ready for more text. Four illustrated chapters introduce Fergus, the pet mouse in Miss Maxwell’s class, and describe his fortuitous meeting of a “buddy,” Zeke, on a school field trip to the museum. When the two new friends get carried away exploring, will Fergus be able to make it back to the bus in time to return to class?
Also available from: -
The Itchy Book! - Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!
Available from:Elephant and Piggie introduce this early reader book by the illustrator of bestselling books like The Princess in Black series and Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. A dinosaur sees a sign that says “Dinosaurs Do Not Scratch” and starts policing every itchy dino they see. Before long, the pages fill with itchy dinosaurs, doing their best not to scratch. This humorous book will have your kid laughing (and scratching) through each page!
Also available from: -
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1)
Available from:If you haven’t met the lovable sea creatures in this early graphic novel series yet, you’re in for a treat. When Narwhal and Jelly first encounter each other, they both wonder if their imaginations are playing tricks on them. Their new friendship is good enough to be true, though. The pair share easy conversation as they swap seaworthy facts, plan parties, and celebrate a shared love of waffles.
Also available from: -
Warren & Dragon Series
Available from:The appeal of themes around friendship, humor, and navigation of childhood predicaments endure as children transition to early chapter books. This series stars twins Ellie and Warren Nesbitt, along with Warren’s marshmallow-loving pet, Dragon. In 100 Friends, Warren learns an important childhood lesson: Quality matters more than quantity.
Also available from: -
I Don’t Want to Be a Frog
Available from:Frog does not want to be a frog anymore — he can’t help but imagine all the fun he’d have if he were another animal instead. Fortunately, little Frog’s father (as well as a hungry wolf who eats everything but frogs) is there to remind him that being a frog has its own perks too. The conversation between Frog and his dad will have kids howling with laughter while also thinking about why it’s so important to accept and appreciate yourself, no matter what.
Also available from: -
NOPE
Available from:Lots of things can feel scary when you’re a little kid — even though Mama Bird thinks Baby Bird is ready to leave the nest, the little bird isn’t quite convinced that flying is a good idea (“Nope!”) and that it could, in fact, end very badly. This picture book from the creator of Don’t Eat That has just a few words, but the giggle-inducing illustrations and relatable themes will pack a big punch for young readers who are trying something new.
Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.