Books About Tricksters

The Best Tricksters Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about tricksters? 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 Tricksters

Fox and the Jumping Contest
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

Fox and the Jumping Contest

By Corey R. Tabor · Fox series

A clever fox schemes to win a jumping contest despite his lack of skill.

32 pages· 334 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.4/7 Bookroo·3.7/5 Goodreads · 452 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Fox dreams of winning the jumping contest, but there's a catch—he's not a great jumper. Determined to claim the trophy, Fox hatches a clever plan. Will his cunning outshine his competitors, or will his tricks land him in trouble? Join Fox and his animal friends in this delightful tale of ambition and wit, where the stakes are high and the laughs are plenty. Perfect for fans of humorous adventures, this story will keep you guessing: can Fox leap to victory with his clever schemes?
Girl Giant and the Jade War
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Girl Giant and the Jade War

By Van Hoang · Book #2 in the Girl Giant and the Monkey King series

A girl must stop a war in the Heavens she unwittingly started.

320 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 194 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Thom Ngoh thought she had a friend in the Monkey King, but his betrayal has sparked a celestial war. Now, with her dragon ally Kha, Thom must journey across the Heavens to find allies and prevent disaster. As she navigates this magical realm, the cost of saving the Jade Emperor might be more than she can bear. Can Thom fix the chaos she unleashed, or will the Heavens fall? This adventure is filled with humor, magic, and heart, perfect for fans of epic middle-grade fantasies.
Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Taking the Blame
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2022

Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Taking the Blame

By Louie Stowell · Book #2 in the Loki: A Bad God’s Guide series

Loki must find Thor's stolen hammer to clear his name and prove his innocence.

288 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 758 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Loki, trapped as an eleven-year-old, faces a new challenge when Thor's hammer is stolen at a birthday party. Suspected of the theft, Loki must navigate jealousy and suspicion to find the real culprit. With only one human friend, Valerie, and her new friend Georgina complicating matters, Loki's quest to clear his name is fraught with humor and danger. Can he overcome his mischievous nature and prove his worth to Asgard, or will his jealousy cloud his judgment? Join Loki's riotous adventure filled with Frost Giants, enchanted diaries, and unexpected twists.
Tricked
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2017

Tricked

By Jen Calonita · Book #3 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series

A trickster takes over a reform school. Can Gilly outsmart him to save her sister?

320 pages· 46,186 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 4,450 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Gilly's mundane life at Jack of All Trades School is upended when her sister Anna is sent to the notorious Fairy Tale Reform School. With Rumpelstiltskin now in charge, the school is more dangerous than ever. To rescue Anna, Gilly must return and outwit the ultimate trickster. Can she succeed in her daring plan, or will she fall into a trap herself? Dive into a world where former villains teach and nothing is as it seems.
The Tale of Tricky Fox
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2001

The Tale of Tricky Fox

By Jim Aylesworth, Barbara McClintock (Illustrator)

A cunning fox bets he can outwit humans but meets his match in a clever teacher.

32 pages· 1,425 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 316 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Tricky Fox, confident in his cunning, wagers he can deceive a human into giving him a pig. Armed with his trusty sack, he charms his way through town, collecting increasingly valuable items. But when he encounters a sharp-witted schoolteacher, his clever schemes face an unexpected challenge. Will Tricky Fox outsmart her, or will he finally meet his match? Discover the twists and turns as the tables are turned in this tale of wit and trickery.
Precious and the Boo Hag
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2005

Precious and the Boo Hag

By Patricia C. McKissack, Onawumi Jean Moss, Kyrsten Brooker (Illustrator)

Alone at home, Precious must outsmart a shape-shifting trickster. Can she succeed?

40 pages· 1,552 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 304 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Left alone with a warning, Precious faces the Boo Hag, a shape-shifting menace with a thunderous voice and lightning-like hair. As the Boo Hag tries to trick her, Precious must rely on her wits to keep the creature at bay. Will she outsmart this cunning foe, or will the Boo Hag's disguises prove too clever? Dive into a tale of suspense and humor as Precious navigates a world where nothing is as it seems, and every shadow could hide a new challenge.
Puss in Boots
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 1–5 · 1697

Puss in Boots

By Charles Perrault, Gwen Keraval (Illustrator)

A clever cat transforms a poor man's fate with cunning tricks.

Caldecott Honor (1991)
24 pages· 1,438 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 9,388 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A young man inherits only a cat from his father, but this is no ordinary feline. With a pair of boots and a sharp mind, the cat devises a plan to elevate his master's status from pauper to prince. As the cat's clever schemes unfold, the young man's life takes an unexpected turn. Will the cat's tricks be enough to fool a king and change their fortunes forever? Discover the whimsical journey of wit and transformation in this enchanting tale.
Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship

By Chitra Soundar, Uma Krishnaswamy (Illustrator)

Can two young friends outwit the kingdom's trickiest subjects?

192 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 304 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Prince Veera and his friend Suku face a series of puzzling challenges as they preside over King Bheema's court. From a greedy merchant charging for sweet aromas to a mysterious case of jewels turning into pickles, the duo must use their wits to solve these unusual disputes. Can they prove an innocent man's luck isn't cursed or settle a bizarre well ownership conflict? These tales, inspired by Indian folklore, test their cleverness and justice. Will Veera and Suku rise to the occasion and outsmart the kingdom's most cunning subjects?
The Wolf Who Cried Boy
Sale price
$759
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2002

The Wolf Who Cried Boy

By Bob Hartman, Tim Raglin (Illustrator)

A wolf's craving for boy leads to unexpected chaos when his wish comes true.

32 pages· 1,016 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 969 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Little Wolf is fed up with his mom's repetitive meals and yearns for a rare treat—Boy! In a mischievous twist, he cries out for Boy to delay dinner, but what happens when a real boy appears? This humorous tale flips a classic story, as Little Wolf discovers the consequences of his playful deceit. Will he learn the lesson of the boy who cried wolf, or will his appetite lead to more trouble? Dive into this whimsical adventure where cravings and reality collide in unexpected ways.
Lucky Duck
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2024

Lucky Duck

By Greg Pizzoli

A duck's bad luck turns around with unexpected gifts. Is it real luck or something else?

48 pages· 607 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 761 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Susan the duck believes she's the unluckiest bird around—oversized rollerskates, lost marbles, and no pickles in sight. Yet, each mishap brings a mysterious gift from Wolf. Has her fortune truly changed, or is there more to these surprises? Dive into this whimsical tale where luck and laughter collide, and discover if Susan's newfound fortune is as lucky as it seems. With each twist, young readers will be left guessing and giggling, wondering if luck is just around the corner or if there's a trick up Wolf's sleeve.
Ages 3–6Picture Book Club

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Two hardcover picture books a month, perfect for reading aloud, with coordinated spines for a beautiful shelf.

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Browse by age

Tricksters Picture Books

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

The Pomegranate Witch
Sale price
$1699

The Pomegranate Witch

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Kids battle a mysterious neighbor for forbidden pomegranates.

The Gingerbread Cowboy
Sale price
$1999

The Gingerbread Cowboy

Ages 4–8 · 2006

A Gingerbread Cowboy races through the Wild West, but can he outsmart a cunning coyote?

The Gingerbread Boy
Sale price
$999

The Gingerbread Boy

Ages 4–8 · 1997

A gingerbread boy races through New York City, evading capture in a thrilling urban chase.

Mice Twice
Sale price
$899

Mice Twice

Ages 4–8 · 1980

Cat wants mice for dinner, but Mouse has a clever plan.

The Fox and the Crow
Sale price
$1795

The Fox and the Crow

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A fox schemes to outwit a crow for a piece of bread.

Ananse and the Lizard
Sale price
$2599

Ananse and the Lizard

Ages 4–8 · 2002

A trickster spider must outwit a clever rival to win a royal prize.

Monkey
Sale price
$799

Monkey

Ages 4–7 · 2011

Monkey must outsmart Crocodile to reach the mangoes and avoid becoming lunch.

Coyote Christmas
Sale price
$1895

Coyote Christmas

Ages 6–9 · 2007

Coyote tricks a family on Christmas Eve but faces an unexpected twist. Is it a miracle?

Little Red Riding Hood
Sale price
$1999

Little Red Riding Hood

Ages 7–10 · 1995

A prairie adventure pits Little Red against a cunning wolf. Who will outwit whom?

Anansi's Party Time
Series
Sale price
$899

Anansi's Party Time

Ages 4–8 · 2008

A prankster spider's party trick backfires when a turtle hosts his own surprise-filled bash.

View all tricksters picture books
Browse by age

Tricksters Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about tricksters for developing and independent readers.

Thor
#2 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299

Thor

Ages 9–12 · 2024

Thor seeks the Midgard serpent, but can he earn passage from a mysterious ferryman?

Fibbed
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Fibbed

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl must save a magical forest from greedy contractors with the help of a legendary trickster spider.

Rabbit Chase (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1999

Rabbit Chase (Graphic Novel)

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A non-binary teen must navigate a mystical realm to save their world and find themselves.

View all tricksters chapter books