Interactive Books
Books don’t have to be just pictures and words—they can include music, machines, and even magic! Check out some of our favorite interactive books!
How Machines Work: Zoo Break! by David Macaulay isn’t a regular pop-up book—it’s a pull-out, lift-the-flap, and pulley book, too! Using these fun methods along with bright illustrations and diagrams, Macaulay describes the workings of six types of simple machines that help in our everyday lives. The story follows Sloth and Sengi, two animals learning about and using these machines in order to escape from the zoo where they live. With so many parts to pull and turn, this is an exciting and factual book that’s almost like a toy!
Look for and learn about over 180 different animals and plants in Illuminature by Carnovsky and Rachel Williams! But it isn’t as easy as it sounds—some animals only come out during the day while others only come out during the night. The coolest part of this book is the three-colored viewer that lets you pick out the daytime or diurnal animals, the nighttime and dawn or nocturnal and crepuscular animals, and all of the different types of plants that thrive in the habitats where these animals live. With colorful, detailed drawings that contain three pictures in one and facts about all of the plants and animals you can discover, this book is a must-read for any nature lover!
The Story Orchestra: Four Seasons in One Day by Katie Cotton and Jessica Courtney-Tickle is a musical adventure in a book! Join Isabelle, her apple tree, and her dog Pickle as they explore all four seasons in a single day, accompanied by the music of classical composer Antonio Vivaldi. On each page, press the music note to play a segment of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” as it corresponds to Isabelle’s journey. At the end of the book, enjoy learning facts about Vivaldi himself and his music. The beautiful pictures and music come together for a fun and energetic story time!
The Magic Show Book by DK isn’t just a book—it’s a whole performance! Filled with clever but easy to learn magic tricks, this book, complete with pull-tabs, pop-ups, and other secrets, is great for magic beginners and experts alike. And unlike most magic trick books, this one can be used as a prop that you can use in your shows with hidden instructions that only you can read! This is the perfect book for every young magician!
by Ashley Smith, Children’s Room Staff
