Deborah Underwood makes picture books that are simply delightful. Her stories are not only for children; adults who read them aloud have a good time too. Underwood’s books have a playful humor and often play with what a book can even be.
If you look for authors with a similar inventive and funny way with stories for kids, here are some to explore.
Readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful and humorous storytelling will also appreciate author Mo Willems. Willems has a talent for creating silly yet relatable picture books that children adore, especially his beloved Elephant and Piggie series.
In “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!,” readers meet a particularly persistent pigeon who desperately wants to take the wheel of a bus after the regular driver steps away.
It’s a simple request, but readers quickly discover this pigeon will try every trick possible, from bargaining to pleading, just to get his chance.
Willems’ humorous dialogue and expressive illustrations make this story memorable and funny, perfect for anyone who values imagination, humor, and charming characters.
Oliver Jeffers is an author and illustrator whose imaginative stories and playful artwork appeal to readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle and thought-provoking picture books.
In his book “Lost and Found,” Jeffers tells the heartwarming adventure of a young boy who discovers a lonely penguin at his doorstep. Convinced the penguin must have wandered far from home, the boy sets off to return him to the South Pole.
Their journey across the sea leads to a surprising realization about friendship and what it means to be lost. Jeffers combines simple, tender storytelling with vibrant illustrations that capture the emotion and humor of the boy and penguin’s unforgettable trip.
Jane Yolen is a prolific writer known for creating beautifully imaginative stories that captivate both children and adults. Her book “Owl Moon” follows a young girl who joins her father for a nighttime adventure in the snowy woods, hoping to glimpse an elusive owl.
Yolen’s lyrical prose weaves together vivid imagery and quiet wonder, perfectly capturing the magic of an evening blend of anticipation, adventure, and family connection.
Readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle storytelling and thoughtful reflection on nature and family relationships will surely appreciate the charm and warmth of Jane Yolen’s writing.
Readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful and imaginative storytelling may also appreciate the clever humor of Mac Barnett.
Barnett has a talent for crafting stories that blend everyday experiences with unexpected twists, resulting in books that are surprising and entertaining. In his book “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” Sam and Dave set out on a mission to find something extraordinary.
As they dig deeper and deeper, they continuously miss discovering valuable treasures by just a hair, leading readers to wonder when they will finally strike it rich.
Packed with subtle humor and whimsical illustrations by Jon Klassen, this story delights young readers and adults alike through its lively exploration of adventure and friendship.
Kevin Henkes is an author known for warm, insightful children’s stories that explore relatable childhood experiences. In his book “Chrysanthemum,” Henkes shares the story of a young mouse named Chrysanthemum who adores her unique name until she starts school.
When classmates tease her about its length, Chrysanthemum’s confidence starts to fade. Then, an inspiring teacher steps in with kindness, helping Chrysanthemum embrace the beauty of her identity again.
The thoughtful themes, gentle humor, and emotional warmth in Henkes’ stories appeal to readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s charming and heart-centered storytelling.
If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle humor and heartwarming storytelling, Amy Krouse Rosenthal might be a wonderful discovery. Her children’s book “Little Pea” offers a playful twist on picky eating.
Instead of hating vegetables, Little Pea dislikes the candy he must eat every night before getting his favorite dessert—spinach! With charming illustrations and delightful wit, the story warmly invites readers into a reversed world children find funny and relatable.
Rosenthal’s clever creativity and sweetness make this book a joy to read again and again.
Laura Numeroff writes fun and imaginative picture books that kids love. If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful take on animal adventures, Laura Numeroff will feel familiar.
Her charming book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” shows how one little action leads to another, often in humorous and unexpected ways. When a boy shares a cookie with a mouse, it sets off a whirlwind of silly demands—from asking for milk to wanting to draw a picture.
Each request sparks the next, creating chaos and delight in equal measures. Numeroff’s storytelling is lively and filled with warmth, making her books great picks for readers who appreciate Underwood’s engaging style.
If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful storytelling and charming characters, you’ll definitely appreciate Eric Litwin. He combines humor, catchy rhythms, and joyful songs wonderfully in children’s literature.
His book “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” follows Pete, a laid-back cat who strolls through town in his favorite white shoes. Each time Pete steps into something colorful—strawberries, blueberries, and more—his shoes change color. Pete doesn’t mind one bit.
Instead, he happily moves forward and sings his cheerful song. Litwin’s delightful story teaches optimism and adaptability through its rhythmic text and vivid illustrations.
Peter H. Reynolds is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle storytelling and colorful characters. Reynolds creates simple yet profound stories that touch on themes of creativity and self-expression.
His book, “The Dot,” follows a young girl named Vashti who believes she has no artistic talent. But when encouraged by a caring teacher to simply “make a mark,” Vashti’s perspective starts to shift.
From a small dot on the page, an inspiring journey unfolds about courage, imagination, and the joy of artistic discovery. Reynolds blends thoughtful storytelling with charming illustrations, making his work accessible for readers of any age.
Anna Dewdney was a children’s author and illustrator known for warm stories with simple, charming illustrations. If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle and playful approach to storytelling, Dewdney’s books may resonate with you.
In “Llama Llama Red Pajama,” little Llama goes to bed, but he’s struggling with nighttime anxiety because his mama isn’t there yet. Through rhymes, sweet visuals, and relatable humor, Dewdney captures the familiar emotions that many young children experience at bedtime.
It’s a comforting read that shows toddlers how to handle their feelings in an empathetic and reassuring way.
Readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle storytelling and thoughtful exploration of themes may appreciate Julie Fogliano. Her book “ And Then It’s Spring,” illustrated beautifully by Erin E. Stead, tells a sweet story about patience and hope.
The narrative follows a young boy and his dog who plant seeds after a long, brown winter. They watch anxiously every day for signs of green.
Fogliano captures the quiet excitement and delicate wait for springtime renewal with poetic charm that Deborah Underwood fans might find pleasing.
If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s gentle and imaginative stories, you might also appreciate Marla Frazee’s heartfelt picture books. Frazee blends charming illustrations with warm narratives that speak thoughtfully to children and adults alike.
A great introduction to her work is “The Farmer and the Clown,” a wordless story about an unexpected friendship. It opens with a young clown who gets separated from his traveling circus and meets a solitary farmer.
Without a single word, Frazee captures the quiet moments between these two very different characters, showing how kindness can blossom in surprising ways. Her artwork tells a story that sticks with readers long after the book closes.
Books by Elise Parsley offer playful humor and charmingly unexpected stories that fans of Deborah Underwood would enjoy.
In “If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!,” young Magnolia learns the hard way how complicated show-and-tell becomes when her choice is a mischievous, uncontrollable alligator.
Through vibrant illustrations, funny situations unfold as Magnolia tries to keep her unconventional pet in line at school.
This relatable story about humorous classroom chaos and imaginative problem-solving has the kind of wit and warmth readers of Deborah Underwood’s books appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful storytelling may find Chris Haughton’s books equally charming. Haughton is known for his simple yet lively illustrations and delightful humor that children can easily connect with. His picture book “Shh!
We Have a Plan” tells the amusing tale of four friends who venture into the woods intending to catch a colorful bird. While three friends devise increasingly silly schemes that go nowhere, the youngest recognizes that kindness can work better than a carefully crafted plan.
This gentle and funny story draws readers in with its repeated phrases, expressive characters, and bold visual style.
If you enjoy Deborah Underwood’s playful and imaginative storytelling, you may also appreciate books by Tom Lichtenheld. Lichtenheld writes and illustrates picture books filled with warmth, humor, and creativity, bringing everyday ideas vividly to life.
One delightful example is “Cloudette,” a charming tale of a small cloud who dreams big. Although Cloudette is tiny compared to other clouds, she believes she can achieve something important.
As she searches for opportunities, she encounters surprising adventures and learns that even the smallest cloud can make a real difference.
With cheerful illustrations and a gentle, encouraging message, “Cloudette” offers an uplifting reading experience for children and adults alike.