The Worst Children’s Books (Avoid, Avoid, Avoid)

Welcome to the big list of the worst books with questionable subject matter that young children should not be exposed to.

We have a fairly large kid’s book collection full of robert munsch, roald dalh, curious george and dr. seuss, but we have come across some of the worst books for kids that have questionable subject matter.

Each of us has our own preferences, and who knows, you might actually like some of these books. In my opinion, and many others on the internet, this collection of terrible kids’ books and fairy tales needs to be shared.

Continue reading for the list of the worst children’s books ever written.

See also: 49 Brilliant Gifts For Kids That Aren’t Toys

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The Worst Childrens Books

Don’t Make Me Go Back, Mommy by Doris Sanford

This first book is a book that is rather scary for small children and even adults. It looks like a bizarre relic from the past.

Though the title may lead you to believe otherwise, this book was written and published with the utmost seriousness, and as a children’s book at that. Which is perplexing in and of itself because it appears to be aimed at grownups.

Given the way this material is presented, I don’t see how a child could get the subtext, and if they did, it would just serve to terrify them and make them wonder why their parents would read this to them.

Simply said, this creepiest children’s book is religious hysteria and spiritual propaganda designed to infiltrate children’s minds. “Satanic ritual abuse” was a significant concern in the 1980s, fueled by religious dread but completely untrue.

However, due to this book, you’ll learn that your child’s daycare workers all worship the devil, as well as how to spot signals that your children are engaging in satanic rituals.

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

I don’t think the book’s message is acceptable since it basically indicates that you have to give up a piece of yourself in order for people to appreciate you; I understand it’s meant to encourage sharing, but that’s not the message I got from it.

This beloved book basically states that if you are different, no one will be your buddy and that if people are jealous of you, you must make yourself less like you and give yourself away in order for people to like you; else, you would have no friends.

This book advises you to concentrate on those who want what you have rather than who you are which is a silly message for a little girl or a little boy who is fighting with confidence issues.

Basically, if you don’t like people, you’ll be a loner. This is not a good message to send to children!

If you’re looking for a confidence boost, then this berenstain bears book is the way to go.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Another one on the list of world’s worst children cautionary tales. Not only is this book a master of run-on sentences, but it also depicts a child with a very pessimistic outlook.

That might have been justified if the novel had dealt with the problem by the end, but it doesn’t. It simply dismisses it as normal for children to be so pessimistic.

Many readers remarked that they could identify to this child and his terrible experiences, although you could say the same thing about many other children’s novels if you extend it.

Negative individuals emit negative energy, and without solutions to this problem, this is not the type of book I want my children to read.

Once Upon A Potty by Alona Frankel

This awful book is too graphic for my liking. I don’t think my child needs to see an anus or heaps of poo, even if they are cartoonish, to desire to use the restroom.

As others have pointed out, I have to change a lot of the vocabulary as I read the book (for example, ‘pee pee’ to ‘penis’ and ‘diaper’ to ‘nappy’), so its usage is restricted.

I persisted, believing that it would give my kid the motivation he needed to use the bathroom, but he only looked perplexed.

The images are charming, perhaps more so to adults than to children, but as others have pointed out, the fact that the potty does not resemble a modern child’s potty limits the book’s utility.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

while I love the Llama Llama series for easy readers, this particular tale belongs on the list of worst children’s books.

Little Lama is worried and distressed because his mother has left him alone to sleep, and it is only towards the end of the book that Mama appears and says all the appropriate things.

It made my kids really sad, and the ending didn’t help matters.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

This terrible child who grows up into a nasty adult who effectively kills the object who is eager to give and give and give for his own self-interest sends an unpleasant message of greed with no end.

This is a classic American tale about our relationship with nature. Of course, it brings into question a tree that appears to have no self-respect and never says, “No, enough.”

In the right hands, it may teach some valuable lessons, but I’m not persuaded that people take the time to think about such things nowadays.

On the surface, it’s just an awful story of unbridled greed, a “me, me, me” mentality, little respect for anything other than one’s own self-interest, destructive idiocy, and a self-destructive tree, which is why this made list.

Maggie Goes on a Diet

Controversial- When I first read this book, I was torn between two opinions. In some conditions, I feel that any children’s book can be used as a learning tool.

This particular story is about a young girl who is overweight and works hard to lose weight and go back to a “normal” weight.

She begins to play soccer, becomes very active, and is dubbed a soccer superstar. Parents dislike how this book values a young girl’s self-image.

I can see why some parents don’t want their children to read this. I would never read this in a school, but if a parent feels compelled to read it to their child, they can turn it into a lesson.

Arthur’s Nose

You could argue that this informative book teaches kids not to pick on other kids just because they have a funny face, but in my opinion, the fact that one of the main characters – Arthur gets a rhinoplasty in the first place negates the entire point, and the lesson becomes something else entirely.

“If you’re being teased, change yourself so that everyone likes you more.

You may be feeling a little hollow on the inside, but that doesn’t matter because you’re stunning, and being stunning is more essential than being yourself “– I’m not suggesting that plastic surgery is horrible… for those who have been in accidents and require it, but our society is so preoccupied with appearances.

What’s so terrible about accepting yourself as you are?

Reading Books To Kids

One of the most enjoyable aspects of parenthood is reading bedtime stories to your children. We’re cuddling, and we’re letting our imaginations run wild…

But every now and again, we come across some genuinely messed up, weird, or otherwise questionable nonsense.

I love a good book with a happy ending or a good moral lesson that kids can understand. Books like the hungry caterpillar board book or Hugs by Robert Munsch always have room on my bookshelves!

If you are looking for some good children’s books to read to your children you might like 22 Cute Caterpillar Books For Preschool Kids Love or 24 Best Yoga Books For Kids or 16 Important Books For Kids About Sibling Rivalry!