Sale price
$958
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1960
Green Eggs and Ham
By Dr. Seuss
A character is convinced to try something they initially dislike.
64 pages· 803 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
Best for
A famously stubborn eater$9.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Children’s Books About Trying New Things · 191 titles considered
The Best Children’s Books About Trying New Things
By the Bookroo EditorsUpdated July 29, 2026
A new thing is wonderfully easy when somebody else is doing it. Put the shoes on your feet, set the unfamiliar food on your plate, or place the camp form in your hand, and suddenly the objections arrive in full legal dress: I will be bad at it. I will not like it. Everybody will watch. The best books about trying new things do not answer with a lecture. They let a character wobble, taste, stall, miss, laugh, and discover that an attempt can be worthwhile even when it does not end in instant talent or lifelong enthusiasm.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 191 children’s books about trying new things, our editors chose twelve stories with a real attempt at their center — not simply a character dropped into unfamiliar circumstances. Start with our favorites, then browse sturdy books about toddlers venturing beyond the familiar, picture books about first bites and brave starts, and chapter books in which becoming a beginner takes more than one afternoon.
The Shortlist
Our 12 Favorite Books About Trying New Things
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017
What Do You Do With a Chance?
A golden chance appears, gets fumbled, and stops coming back — until one worth being brave for arrives.
38 pages· 550 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
Best for
A child who keeps letting opportunities pass$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2017
The Thing Lou Couldn't Do
A young adventurer faces her fear of climbing a tree. Will she find the courage to try?
32 pages· 496 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
Best for
Children who say “I can’t” before the first attempt$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Sale price
$1520
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2007
The Pink Refrigerator
By Tim Egan
A mysterious pink refrigerator challenges a lazy man's routine with unexpected tasks.
32 pages· 1,158 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
Best for
Kids who need a nudge out of a comfortable routine$16.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Sale price
$858
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2009
Pouch!
A baby kangaroo takes its first hops toward independence.
34 pages
Best for
Toddlers who venture out and dash straight back$8.99Save 5%
Board book
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2013
Let's Go, Hugo!
A grounded bird must find courage to soar to new heights.
40 pages· 627 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
Best for
A child who wants company for the scary first try$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2016
Hey, Coach!
By Linda Ashman, Kim Smith (Illustrator)
Young players transform from novices to soccer enthusiasts, scoring big on and off the field.
$14.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1049
Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2015
I Really Like Slop!
By Mo Willems · Book #24 in the Elephant and Piggie series
Best friends face a culinary challenge: will Gerald try Piggie's favorite slop?
64 pages· 203 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
Best for
Learning that trying and liking are different things$10.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012
My Brave Year of Firsts
By Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Cornell (Illustrator)
A young girl discovers bravery in trying new things for the first time.
40 pages· 801 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
Best for
A year full of everyday first attempts$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016
Sam the Man & the Chicken Plan
A boy's quest for cash leads to a surprising chicken venture.
128 pages· 10,584 words· Est. 2 hour read
Best for
Young chapter-book readers ready for a first job$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Sale price
$2659
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2000
The Doll People
A century-old doll seeks adventure and mystery with new neighbors.
256 pages· 35,669 words· Est. 5 hour read
Best for
Readers whose comfortable routine has become too small$27.99Save 5%
Paperback
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
Roller Girl
A girl navigates friendship and self-discovery through the challenges of roller derby and junior high.
215 pages· 18,412 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
Best for
Older readers beginning something they are bad at4.3 Goodreads · 71,292 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Paperback
Browse by age
Board Books About Trying New Things
Sturdy stories about first hops, new foods, potty practice, haircuts, and other small experiments for babies and toddlers — ages 0–4.
Sale price
$799
This Little Trailblazer
Ages 3–5 · 2017
Discover ten women who changed history with their courage and vision.
Sale price
$899
Dinnertime for Chickies
Ages 1–3 · 2014
Tiny chickies learn to eat with help from farm friends.
Sale price
$799
When Your Llama Needs a Haircut
Ages 2–4 · 2018
It's picture day, and your llama's hair is a wild mess. Can you tame it in time?
Sale price
$799
My First Day
Ages 3–6 · 2015
A boy's first school day unfolds with new stories and friendships.
Sale price
$799
Big Girl Panties
Ages 0–3 · 2012
A toddler's journey to ditch diapers for big girl panties.
Sale price
$799
My New Shoes
Ages 3–6 · 2018
A little bear's shoe shopping adventure sparks imagination and fun.
Sale price
$1499
The Little Engine That Could
Ages 0–3 · 1930
A little engine faces a daunting mountain with determination and grit.
Sale price
$799
Train!
Ages 0–6 · 2014
Can Little Elephant and friends find a way to play together despite their different toy preferences?
Sale price
$799
I'm Not Hatching
Ages 2–6 · 2016
Egg refuses to hatch, fearing the world outside.
Sale price
$799
My Preschool
Ages 2–5 · 2008
A preschool day full of fun, friends, and farewells.
Sale price
$599
Amazing Me! Music!
Ages 3–6 · 2018
A group of friends celebrates boundless creativity.
Sale price
$899
Skip to the Loo! A Potty Book
Ages 2–5 · 2014
A party's in full swing, but someone important is missing. Who could it be?
Browse by age
Picture Books About Giving It a Try
Read-alouds about tasting, climbing, swimming, joining in, and finding out what happens after “I can’t” — ages 3–8.
#1 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$599
Do You Like My Bike?
Ages 4–6 · 2019
A young boy tries to find his lost bike helmet and then goes for a bike ride with his friend.
Sale price
$1699
Wally Does Not Want a Haircut
Ages 3–7 · 2016
A sheep's shaggy wool causes trouble, forcing him to face his fear of haircuts.
Sale price
$1699
The Cow Who Climbed a Tree
Ages 4–8 · 2013
A cow claims to meet a dragon, leading her sisters on a surprising adventure.
Sale price
$1999
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
Ages 4–8 · 1994
Two mouse couples swap homes, facing unexpected adventures and challenges.
Sale price
$1999
I Heart You
Ages 2–8 · 2016
A child's journey of independence and the comforting embrace of parental love.
Sale price
$1699
Edmund Unravels
Ages 5–8 · 2015
A yarn ball's adventure reveals the joy of exploration and the warmth of home.
Sale price
$899
D.W. the Picky Eater
Ages 4–8 · 1995
A picky eater's table manners threaten a special family dinner.
Sale price
$899
Bippity Bop Barbershop
Ages 4–7 · 2002
A boy faces his fear of the barbershop with his father's support.
Sale price
$1799
Shark Nate-O
Ages 4–8 · 2018
A shark-loving boy must learn to swim to prove himself in a sibling showdown.
Sale price
$1999
Up and Down
Ages 3–7 · 2010
A penguin seeks fulfillment in solo flight but discovers true joy in shared experiences.
Sale price
$1795
Sloppy Takes the Plunge
Ages 4–8 · 2018
A tree dragon resists bath time, but could cleanliness be fun too?
Sale price
$1999
Sometimes You Fly
Ages 4–7 · 2018
Celebrate life's milestones with humor and insight, embracing both failures and triumphs.
Browse by age
Chapter Books About Being a Beginner
Longer stories about new sports, jobs, friendships, and adventures where practice is awkward before it becomes rewarding — ages 6–12.
Sale price
$2299
The Trumpet of the Swan
Ages 8–12 · 1970
A mute swan seeks love through a stolen trumpet's melody.
Sale price
$1699
Appleblossom the Possum
Ages 8–11 · 2015
A young possum named Appleblossom navigates the dangers of the world with her family and learns to rely on her instincts and her brothers to survive
Sale price
$899
The World According to Humphrey
Ages 7–10 · 2004
A hamster navigates a series of adventures and misadventures as he is passed from one family to another over the course of a school year.
Sale price
$499
Fox on the Job
Ages 6–8 · 1988
Fox must find the perfect job to replace his broken bike. Will he succeed?
#3 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Ages 5–8 · 2018
A narwhal's life is changed after trying peanut butter for the first time.
Sale price
$1599
Class Act
Ages 6–8 · 2017
A young girl runs for student council and learns valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and being true to oneself
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$899
Gudetama's Guide to Life
Ages 10–14 · 2018
Discover life lessons from a lazy egg pondering existence.
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$699
Bad Kitty Camp Daze
Ages 7–10 · 2018
A cat and dog duo find themselves lost in the woods and must work together to survive and find their way back home
Sale price
$1699
5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories
Ages 4–8 · 2017
Join Pete the Cat on thrilling adventures, from dragon battles to beach fun.
Sale price
$599
Mr. Putter & Tabby Toot the Horn
Ages 6–9 · 1998
Can Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry find their rhythm in a band without instruments?
Sale price
$699
Ivy + Bean Break the Fossil Record
Ages 6–10 · 2007
Two young friends try to break a world record and become famous.
Sale price
$1799
Girls Who Code
Ages 10–14 · 2017
Discover how coding can transform your passions into reality.
Keep exploring
Books about learning new skillsBooks about trying new foodsBooks about new experiencesBooks about first experiencesBooks about facing fearsBooks about courageBooks about self-confidenceBooks about perseveranceBooks about skills and hobbiesBooks about sports and recreationBooks about picky-eatingBooks about swimmingBooks about starting schoolAdventure books