In 2003, Mo Willems introduced us to a fabulous character: the Pigeon! Readers had one instruction: Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. With that simple plea, librarians and caregivers learned how much fun “don’t” can be as an addition to storytimes. Today, I’m sharing a list of some of my favorite “don’t” titles – please do give them a try!
Don’t Copy Me! by Jonathan Allen
Boxer Books, 2012
Little Puffin wants to do his own thing, but finds himself with an entourage of gull chicks copying his every move. His tangible frustration and repeated “Don’t copy me!” are sure to resonate with caregivers and siblings alike. The illustrations clearly capture Little Puffin’s mood, while the predictable story encourages readers to participate. Try pairing this title with a game of Simon Says to reinforce the story’s ideas and integrate early learning practices.
Don’t Eat Eustace by Lian Cho
HarperCollins, 2025
Bear is hungry. Eustace is a fish. The solution seems obvious, but is it? A colorful sail, an injured heron, chilly weather, and a disappointed shark all arrive just in time to divert Bear’s plans. Will Eustace survive becoming lunch? Or will Bear’s hunger win out? Unexpected humor and plot twists keep this story moving along to a surprising conclusion guaranteed to delight. Spend some quality time with the illustrations, exploring the colors, expressions, and little details.
Don’t Blow Your Top! by Ame Dyckman
Orchard Books, 2023
Big feelings are challenging, whether you’re a little volcano or a big one. In this endearing story, Little Volcano tries to keep a lid on their big feelings, but isn’t always successful. Full of simple tips for navigating explosive emotions and bright illustrations guaranteed to grab attention, this book is a winner for all ages. It’s a good reminder that even grown-ups have big feelings.
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t by Patricia Hegarty
Tiger Tales, 2020
Chameleon is sneaky. Using his camouflage, he plays sneaky tricks on everyone in the jungle. It’s all fun and games – until Frog plays a trick of his own. Readers quickly learn that it’s not so much fun when you’re on the receiving end of the joke. Told in catchy rhyming text and paired with bold illustrations, this story delights while sharing a gentle but relatable moral. Use the illustrations on each page to search for the chameleon throughout the story.
Please Don’t Read This Book! by Deanne Kizis
Philomel, 2021
It’s very tempting to do things someone told us not to do. This story plays up the concept, listing progressively more ridiculous antics. Readers absolutely should not do any of them while reading the story! Paired with extra exaggeration by the reader, you’re sure to have a laugh-out-loud experience. While fart noises in storytime aren’t for the faint of heart, readers bold enough to try will have a gem for a silly storytime. A must-read if you want to have some fun.
Don’t Think of Tigers by Alex Latimer
Random House, 2024
We’ve all had something we’re not very good at. For the narrator of this book, it’s drawing tigers. As long as you don’t think about tigers, there will be no problems reading (and illustrating) this story. Unfortunately, trying to avoid thinking about tigers is impossible, so the pages abound with creative tiger interpretations. The whimsical and imaginative drawings inspire creativity, while the story’s subtle messaging reminds us that practice is how we learn. Pair this one with a fun drawing activity for families.
Don’t Squish the Sasquatch! by Kent Redeker
Disney/Hyperion Books, 2012
Señor Sasquatch has only one request for his trip on the city bus: he needs some space! After all, there’s nothing worse than a squished sasquatch. As more and more passengers climb onboard, it seems unlikely he’ll have the personal space he needs. Imaginative characters, bright illustrations, and a simple story help children follow along and predict what might happen next. Encourage families to join in on the repeated refrain of “Don’t squish the sasquatch!”
Don’t Worry, Murray by David Ezra Stein
Balzer + Bray, 2022
It’s tough to be a little puppy! Poor Murray is afraid of many things – the weather, the dog park, even the family picnic. Every time he tries something new, there’s something scary waiting. Will Murray ever learn not to worry? The simple, predictable text quickly engages readers, while the expressive illustrations tell a story all their own. Pause to ask questions and interpret why Murray is afraid. This is a great story for talking about things that scare us and how we can be brave, even in small moments.
Don’t Feed the Coos! by Jonathan Stutzman
Henry Holt and Company, 2020
Don’t feed the coos – unless you want the poos! This amusing tale explores all the what-ifs, should you happen to feed the pigeons. While exaggerated, the outcomes are both relatable and hilarious. Drawing on a familiar concept from everyday life, it’s easier for children to picture not only the scenario, but also brainstorm ways to escape the coos. Read with a sense of exaggeration for best results.
Don’t Go There! by Jeanne Willis
Lerner Publishing Group, 2019
Potty training can be a challenge, especially if you’re from another planet! This amusing, rhyming tale chronicles the adventures of a little alien learning to use the potty, and all the places he shouldn’t go. Caregivers will relate to the struggles of getting potty training right, while children will enjoy pointing out all the mistakes. While there is some unique phrasing (such as referring to the toilet as the ‘loo’), this book is sure to cause plenty of giggles.
Honorable Mentions
Want more? These extra titles keep the fun going with even more don’ts!
I Don’t Want to Be Quiet! by Laura Ellen Anderson
Philomel Books, 2020
It’s hard to be quiet with so many exciting things in the world. Who can pass up the opportunity to drum or hum? The rambunctious narrator embraces all things noisy, much to the dismay of those around her. Is there any benefit from being quiet? The library offers a unique opportunity, and imagination doesn’t require a loud voice. Consider pairing this with other books about self-control or as a cute addition to a library-themed storytime.
You Don’t Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman
Little, Brown, and Company, 2020
It seems like a good idea to wish for a dragon, but when you get down to it, the practicalities really don’t work out. The narrator does their best to dissuade readers that no matter how much they long for one, a dragon simply won’t do as a pet. Bright illustrations pair brilliantly with the text to show how quickly dragon ownership becomes problematic. While the story stands on its own, it works best as a follow up to You Don’t Want a Unicorn! to fully appreciate all the references.
Don’t Blink! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Random House, 2018
You can avoid going to bed, but only if you make it all the way through the pages of this story without blinking once. Each page offers a new strategy to avoid blinking, from staring contests to optical illusions. As caregivers easily recognize, avoiding bedtime is inevitable. This story pairs best with one-on-one reading to explore each challenge before ending ready for bedtime. Depending on the child, adjust the speed of each challenge to match your bedtime goals.
How to Count to One (And Don’t Even Think About Bigger Numbers!) by Caspar Salmon
Nosy Crow, 2023
Counting is fun, and everyone can count to one! In this story, increasing challenges encourage readers to count along. The catch? The answer will always, only be one – no matter how silly the things on the page become. Bright illustrations and exaggeration beg the reader to count in different ways, no mater how many times the narrator reminds that the answer is one. Consider other ways to add exaggeration or different forms of counting throughout the story.
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025
This story starts as a simple guide to different types of animals, but quickly takes a sharp turn as the narrator warns that you must never trust fish. With increasing absurdity, readers receive a full case on why fish are suspect. Paired with bizarre illustrations, fish appear both sneaky and maligned. Who could possibly make these terrible accusations? The final pages reveal an unexpected narrator. Given the bizarre discussion and leaps in logic, this story pairs best with one-on-one reading with older children. This story may benefit from a slow reading with frequent pauses to fully appreciate all elements.
No matter which title you choose from this list, you don’t want to miss out on a great time! What other titles would you add to the don’t miss list?
This post addresses ALSC Core Competency #2: Reference and User Services and ALSC Core Competency #4: Collection Knowledge and Management.
Jaime Eastman is a senior Public Services Librarian and Early Learning Coordinator at the Harrington Library, one of the Plano (Texas) Public Library locations. Jaime is also working on at least two ambitious cross-stitch projects, dreaming of future travel plans, and reading far too many books. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be an author. Writing for the blog and publishing with Children and Libraries feels like a good start, and she regrets nothing about her adult decision to be a librarian doing storytimes, who didn’t have to grow up too much.