6 Books that Celebrate Playgrounds

Chalk, by Bill Thomson
In this wordless book, three children find a gift bag full of chalk on an otherwise uninspiring rainy day. One by one, the children each draw something and watch as it becomes real. The first draws some much-needed sun; the second draws some lovely butterflies; and the third draws—well, I won’t spoil it. Kids are so naïve and goofy though: If I found magic chalk, I’d draw delicious hot dog after scrumptious hot dog after mouthwatering hot dog until my fingers scraped the pavement after the chalk ran out. Wouldn’t you? (Ages 4-8)

Hide and Seek Harry at the Playground, by Kenny Harrison
How do you hide a hippo at the playground? Someone please tell me, and soon! This book shows many options for how not to hide a hippo especially well, which I guess is why it’s not marketed as a how-to book. In any case, silly kids will love pointing out the ridiculousness of Harry’s attempts to hide. (Ages 2-5)

My Dad is the Best Playgound, by Luciana Navarro Powell
According to the September 2015 issue of Playground Fancier Magazine, Dads are the best playground. This book illustrates exactly why. The Dad-playground features modular structures, incomparably mobile equipment, and the ability to adapt to any age user. This book’s pleasant rhyme scheme and soft energetic illustrations make it a lovely gift for any loveable Dad-playground. (Ages 0-3)

Playground, by Mies Van Hout
Sometimes the best part of a journey is the trip itself. Of course, this is rarely the case with a four year old in the car, but I digress. In this colorful, rollicking book, the adventures on the way to the playground include jumping across clouds, picking wild blackberries, climbing trees full of birds’ nests, and gathering a variety of new friends along the way. After a trip like that, it’s no wonder that the playground looks less appealing. With minimal text, the full-page illustrations are immersive and kids can finger-trace their own preferred expedition route. (Ages 3-6)

Roll, Slope, and Slide, by Michael Dahl and Denise Shea
Ah, simple machines: THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! The ramp—not the springtime veggie darling of the hipster foodiverse, but rather the simple machine also known as the “inclined plane”—is the subject of this book, which cleverly illustrates all the ways ramps help us work and play. Part of a series of innovative books designed to show kids the ubiquity of simple machines within the context of their own everyday lives. (Ages 5-9)

Bruno and Lulu’s Playground Adventures, by Patricia Lakin and Kirstie Edmunds
Bruno (squirrel) and Lulu (chipmunk) are best friends spending the day at the playground. Lulu loves to pretend, while Bruno prefers reality-based fun. They get on each other’s nerves, they pout, and they get time-outs. Still, they love playing together and always have manage to restore harmony and have fun. This book is an early reader disguised as a graphic novel with simple, engaging prose. Readers will likely recognize themselves in these woodland creatures (especially if they possess tails) and find this book very enjoyable even if they don’t.
What are your favorite playground-centric books?