Books About Short Stories

The Best Short Stories Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about short stories? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Short Stories

Dandelion Wine
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1957

Dandelion Wine

By Ray Bradbury · Book #1 in the Greentown series

A boy's summer of wonder and discovery in a small town hides timeless secrets and marvels.

239 pages· 64,709 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 82,542 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Mass Market Paperbound
Summary: In the summer of '28, twelve-year-old Douglas Spaulding experiences a season of enchantment and discovery in Green Town, Illinois. Amidst apple trees and dandelions, he encounters the extraordinary John Huff, a boy who seems to defy the ordinary. As Douglas navigates this magical summer, he faces moments of joy and sorrow, uncovering the mysteries of childhood and the fleeting nature of time. What secrets does this summer hold, and how will it shape Douglas's life forever? Dive into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every moment is a treasure waiting to be discovered.
Precious Moments Bedtime Stories
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 3–7 · 1989

Precious Moments Bedtime Stories

Gentle bedtime tales and prayers help children talk about honesty, sharing and giving.

241 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 112 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: This treasury of 23 bedtime stories and four prayers features more than 100 Precious Moments illustrations. Each gentle story is a springboard for parents and children to talk together about honesty, sharing, giving and God's love before sleep.
Very Short Stories to Read Together
Sale price
$858
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2001

Very Short Stories to Read Together

Two readers take turns with the lines of a dozen rhyming mini-stories.

32 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 893 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: The first You Read to Me, I'll Read to You book is written for two voices, usually a child and an adult, who take turns reading lines set in color-coded type. Each of the twelve short rhyming stories fits on one spread and visits everyday themes like family, friendship, pets and the seasons. Alliteration, repetition and short sentences help new readers join in.
Ayiti
Sale price
$855
Chapter Book · 2011

Ayiti

Explore the Haitian diaspora through a tapestry of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

121 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 8,464 ratings
$9.00Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into a rich tapestry of stories and reflections that capture the essence of the Haitian diaspora. This debut collection weaves together fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, offering a profound exploration of identity and belonging. Each piece invites readers to journey through the complexities of cultural heritage and personal experience, leaving them to ponder the intricate connections that define us all. What truths will you uncover in this vibrant mosaic?
In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories
Sale price
$574
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1984

In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories

By Alvin Schwartz, Victor Rivas (Illustrator)

Discover spooky tales that will send shivers down your spine.

64 pages· 871 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 5,857 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Step into a world of eerie tales with 'In a Dark, Dark Room.' Perfect for young readers, this collection of spooky stories, including 'The Green Ribbon' and 'The Ghost of John,' offers a delightful scare. With Victor Rivas's whimsical illustrations, each story unfolds with a mix of suspense and humor. Will you dare to explore the mysteries hidden in the dark? These folktale-inspired stories promise to captivate and thrill, making reading an adventure for those who love a good fright. Ideal for kids ready to read on their own, but who still enjoy a little help.
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 8–13 · 2021

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

Laugh and shiver with Rowley's spooky tales of zombies, vampires, and ghosts.

224 pages· 14,386 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 7,508 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Join Rowley Jefferson as he spins hilariously spooky tales filled with zombies, vampires, and ghosts. Each story promises laughter and chills, leaving you wondering if you'll need to sleep with the lights on. Dive into Rowley's imaginative world where the unexpected lurks around every corner. Will you brave the night with a smile or a shiver?
Camp Half-Blood Confidential
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Camp Half-Blood Confidential

Discover the secrets and chaos of Camp Half-Blood beyond the orientation video.

192 pages· 19,568 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 24,220 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: At Camp Half-Blood, Percy Jackson and fellow demigods reveal the camp's hidden truths beyond its chaotic orientation video. Explore divine cabins, magical landmarks, and training arenas, while uncovering tales of heroism and discord. With insights from Chiron and divine wisdom from Apollo, this guide offers a glimpse into the unpredictable life of a demigod. Will you survive the camp's challenges and uncover its mysteries?
The English Understand Wool
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · 2022

The English Understand Wool

A 17-year-old faces high society's challenges and deceit in New York.

69 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 16,867 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Raised in Marrakech, a 17-year-old girl, trained in the art of impeccable taste by her demanding mother, faces a new world in New York. With two million dollars at stake, she must navigate the treacherous waters of high society alone. Can her refined upbringing protect her from the false friends and hidden dangers that lurk in the city? As her assumptions are challenged, she must decide if her cultivated elegance is enough to survive the sharks of New York. Will her upbringing be her salvation or her downfall?
Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2019

Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories

By Max Brallier, Letizia Rubegni (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Mister Shivers series

A collection of spooky and supernatural short stories for kids.

64 pages· 1,195 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 583 ratings
$23.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into five eerie tales where mysterious sounds and hidden secrets await. Perfect for young readers, these stories promise just the right amount of chills to keep them on edge. What lurks under the bed or scratches at the window? Each story invites kids to explore the unknown, sparking their imagination and boosting their reading confidence. With vivid illustrations and simple text, this collection is ideal for sleepovers or campfire storytelling, ensuring a thrilling experience that will have them begging to read with the lights on. Are you brave enough to find out?
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End -Prelude-, Vol. 1
Sale price
$1900
Chapter Book · 2024

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End -Prelude-, Vol. 1

An immortal elf mage and her companions face new trials in five short adventures.

160 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 353 ratings
$20.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Five original short stories set in the world of the Frieren manga, written by Mei Hachimoku under the supervision of manga writer Kanehito Yamada. After the legendary elf mage Frieren is forced to confront the cruel passage of time, she sets out to fulfill her late friends' final wishes and get to know the world a little better. Frieren, Fern, Stark, Lawine, Kanne and the demon Aura return in all-new adventures.
Browse by age

Short Stories Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about short stories for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Pablo & His Chair
Sale price
$1795

Pablo & His Chair

Ages 3–8 · 2016

A boy's unwanted birthday chair becomes his ticket to adventure.

Browse by age

Short Stories Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about short stories for developing and independent readers.

Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Sale price
$899

Flying Lessons & Other Stories

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Discover stories of dreams, friendship, and magic in a diverse collection celebrating what makes us unique.

Every Living Thing
Sale price
$599

Every Living Thing

Ages 10–14 · 1985

Animals transform lives, revealing new perspectives and unexpected changes.

Look Both Ways
Sale price
$1799

Look Both Ways

Ages 10–14 · 2019

Ten blocks, ten stories. What happens when the school bell rings and life takes unexpected turns?

Sale price
$899

The Valley of Fear

1915

A cipher warns Holmes of danger, leading to a murder mystery and a secret society's dark secrets.

Sale price
$995

Northanger Abbey

Ages 9–11 · 2009

A naive young woman faces sinister secrets and deception at Northanger Abbey.

Outside
Sale price
$1895

Outside

2014

Explore the mystical ties between humans, nature, and the unknown in six captivating tales.

Sale price
$1799

Straw into Gold

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Classic fairy tales reimagined with unexpected twists and humor.