Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Some of the best escapist fiction I’ve ever read have been books that broke the fourth wall.
There is nothing as entertaining and distracting as meeting characters who are aware the reader exists and who might even be aware that they are characters in a story!
I’m specifically focusing on picture books today because of how quickly they pay off as far as breaking the fourth wall and getting straight to the point goes.
That can be a very helpful thing if you’re having trouble concentrating or otherwise need a quick escape from what is happening in the real world. It’s sort of like taking the quick-release version of an over-the-counter drug instead of taking something that takes an hour to kick in.
If you also like books that break the fourth wall and acknowledge their readers, I’d love to hear what you’ve read that fits this micro-genre.
1. The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
2. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
3. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
4.Harold and the Purple Crayon (Harold, #1) by Crockett Johnson
5. Coral Reefs: A Journey Through an Aquatic World Full of Wonder by Jason Chin
6.Shiloh and Dande the Lion: Embrace diversity, accept others, and courageously be yourself! by Ciara L. Hill
7. Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee
8. Help! We Need a Title! by Hervé Tullet
9. Is There a Dog in This Book? by Viviane Schwarz
10. The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett
I love picture books! What a fun list!! I need to pick up The Rabbit Problem, it looks adorable.
Thank you. Hope you like The Rabbit Problem.
This is a great list! And I love it when media breaks the fourth wall, but it has to be done just right to be effective.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Thank you. 🙂 And, yes, you’re right about that.
Hah, I remember that Little Pig book. Fun cover!
Wasn’t it great?
I don’t think I’ve read any books that break the fourth wall, but I always love when it happens in tv or movies!
it’s great onscreen, too. 🙂
The Monster at the End of this Book looks really cute!
It’s adorable. 🙂
Apart from the ‘Harold’ title, I don’t think I’ve heard of any of these books. Every once in a while though, if I’m sorting or unhauling books or trying to get organized and come across a stack of the picture books from my childhood, I still leaf through them. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my website today!
What a nice thing to do. And you’re welcome.
Great list, Lydia! I hope you’re having a happy Tuesday!
Thank you. You, too!
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs was a hit with my girls.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-hs-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-h/
That’s awesome.
I’m not familiar with any of these books except Harold and the Purple Crayon, and that’s only because they’ve been marketing the movie so much. They all sound great though!
Thanks. 🙂 I want to see that film!
What an interesting take on this week’s topic. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book that broke the fourth wall, but this list has me curious!
Thank you. They’re hard to find sometimes, but they’re so rewarding when yo you do find them.
This is a great list! I’ve read and loved some of them (one of the benefits of having worked in a library was quick access to picture books). The only other picture book I can think of at the moment which might fit your micro-genre is A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, but it’s been a little while since I read that one and I don’t remember how much fourth-wall breaking it does. (I also don’t know how well-known it is outside the US, since it was basically written as a political parody book.)
Oh, that was such a good read! Good pick.
Thank you for your kind words.
What a creative take on this topic! Nice job!
Thank you. 🙂
Coral Reefs sounds wonderful
Agreed! Haven’t read it yet, but I want to. 🙂
oohh I absolutely love the theme you picked! I genuinely forgot about this very specific genre and you inspired me to look for more similar books to add to my TBR 😍
Thank you. Happy reading.
Ohhh this is a fun way to interpret the prompt! I love picturebook stories that break the fourth wall 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
Picture books are really awesome.
I know, right?
Some fun authors here, for instance Tullet!
I recently read the picture book Anatole, which I enjoyed a lot:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/09/08/sunday-post-114-getting-cold/
Oh, that sounds cute. 🙂
I believe Tale of Despereaux breaks the forth wall, it’s not a picture book though.
Cool!