Good behavior is rarely one grand decision. It is a hundred small ones made while the cake is unattended, somebody else is talking, the answer is no, or a little brother is drawing on the wall again. The best books about habits and behavior put those ordinary tests into stories children can laugh at, recognize, and rehearse before the next real-life volcano erupts.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 2,475 books about habits and behavior, our editors chose twelve that deal in specific choices rather than vague instructions to “be good.” Start with our favorites, then browse by age for stories about impulse control, tantrums, manners, classroom conduct, responsibility, and the slow work of replacing an old pattern with a better one.
George means to be good, but then he sees a cake, a cat, and a flower bed with nobody standing guard.
A lively pig's day of adventures ends with a well-earned rest.
A classroom full of enormous dinosaurs demonstrates nearly every way not to behave at school — and then shows what works.
A boy learns to handle disappointment without tantrums.
One dropped soda can, one interrupted story, one ignored rule — what happens when everybody makes the same exception?
A young boy struggles to control his impulsive behavior and learn to wait his turn in class and at home.
A child tries to deflect blame for various misbehaviors.
A sunflower seed struggles with its own bad behavior and tries to change its ways.
A rabbit wonders how to live beside his new otter neighbors and receives one rule sturdy enough to organize all the others.
Children's quirks meet their match in Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's whimsical cures.
Missy Piggle-Wiggle tackles childhood misbehavior with quirky cures in a magical house.
Peter is trying to survive fourth grade while his little brother, Fudge, turns every family rule into an experiment.
Sturdy, funny books about waiting, listening, gentle hands, simple manners, and surviving the word no — ages 0–3.
Can Little Mouse outsmart the bear to save his strawberry?
A little pea refuses to eat sweets. Can he find a way to enjoy them?
Discover the magic of manners with an elephant's fun guide.
A tidy pig must learn to make a mess to fit in.
An odd penguin's quirks might save his colony from danger.
Discover playful animals teaching kindness and manners in delightful ways.
Explore the lively world of animals in a playful, rhyming adventure.
Discover the secrets to happiness and embrace your best self.
Discover the power of gratitude, from small gestures to big impacts.
Will Ladybug's friends accept her farewell hugs before her trip?
Otto's new favorite word is 'no,' but can it solve his bad day at school?
Rabbit's carrot obsession leads to chaos. Can friends help him find space?
Read-alouds about tantrums, interrupting, school rules, apologies, self-control, and choices that affect everyone else — ages 3–8.
A girl claims to own a hundred dresses, but classmates' ridicule leads to regret and a vow for change.
P.J. Funnybunny's family discovers true mischief when cousin Binky visits.
A witch's pets and belongings get into chaos when she is out of the house.
A dog learns to dig and unearths unexpected chaos in town.
Piggie wants to thank everyone, but Gerald fears someone important will be forgotten.
Can Piggie defy gravity and fly, or will Gerald's doubts ground her dreams?
A boy named Pete prepares a large sandwich to eat for lunch.
Little Witch defies orders, taking trick-or-treaters on magical broomstick rides.
An elephant sits on a bird's egg while the bird is on vacation, leading to a series of unexpected events
Four friends, three cookies. Can they share without crumbling under pressure?
A young girl learns to control her impulses and find the right time and place for her energetic behavior.
A crab's day at the beach is filled with interactions with other sea creatures.
Longer, funnier consequences for stubborn patterns, family friction, classroom chaos, and learning to take responsibility — ages 6–12.
A young boy named Bat cares for a baby skunk after its mother is killed by a car
A boy with a unique face faces school for the first time, seeking acceptance.
A lonely girl discovers a hidden garden with a mysterious key.
A summer trip reveals family secrets and tests sibling bonds.
A poor boy finds a golden ticket to visit a mysterious and magical chocolate factory
A burned-out teacher meets a class of misfits. Can chaos lead to redemption?
A young boy navigates the challenges of second grade while dealing with family dynamics and his own self-doubt.
A boy with cystic fibrosis befriends a mysterious girl, challenging his sheltered life.
A young girl faces family secrets and broken trust amidst a fresh start.
A girl with bear legs seeks her true identity in a perilous forest.
A young girl becomes a knight to prove herself and rescue those in need.
A person tries to give a cat a bath.
