A video game teaches its rules while the player is already moving: jump here, try again, notice the pattern, and keep one eye open for the wall that is probably a secret door. Books can borrow that same momentum without needing a charger. They can trap a rabbit inside an arcade cabinet, drop a Minecraft player into the Overworld, or show how an engineer turned the family television into something people could play.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 357 children’s books about video games, our editors chose thirteen that put gaming at the center rather than sprinkling a few pixels over an unrelated story. The shortlist includes lively first chapters, graphic and middle-grade adventures, the histories of Nintendo and the home console, and two picture books that understand why turning the game off can be its own adventure. Start there, then browse the age shelves for read-alouds, newly independent readers, and longer quests.
A handheld game disappears into a pond, leaving one damp child to discover what rain, mud, snails, and a pocketful of berries can do.
Ralph Baer looked at a television and wondered why everybody had to sit still while it did all the entertaining.
Sunny has one controller, Super Rabbit Boy has one last rescue, and King Viking has filled every level with robots programmed to eliminate fun.
Jesse does not even like video games, which is unfortunate once a giant praying mantis with a jet pack starts chasing him through one.
Four students are transported into their favorite video game, Minecraft, where they must work together to survive and thrive in a blocky 3D world filled with creatures and danger.
Cameron nearly burns down the house during an all-night gaming session, then invents a fake service club to prove he is responsible.
Long before Mario, Nintendo sold painted playing cards—and spent nearly a century trying one new business after another.
A lightning strike zaps Jack straight through the screen, and Lady is the only player left outside who can bring him home.
Can Squish balance gaming and reality to save his town from a creeping threat?
A championship game vanishes from the arcade before Frank and Joe can play it, leaving a trail of clues among the cabinets.
A girl must save a virtual world and her real-life friendships.
Jerry Lawson built arcade machines at home, then designed the removable cartridge that let one console play a whole shelf of games.
Explore the evolution of video games from consoles to global phenomena.
Pixelated alphabet quests, game-world rescues, funny screen-time stories, and short chapters built for children ages 2–10.
Two heroes team up to stop a villainous duo from stealing the Ultra Diamond.
A robot rabbit boy must save the day when a ghost troop is unleashed in Animal Town
A group of racers compete in the Super Cup Grand Prix to win the Super Cup and the power of super speed.
A young rabbit must travel back in time to prevent a villain from taking away his superpowers
Can Super Rabbit Boy stop King Viking's robot and save Animal Town?
A rabbit must rescue his friends from an evil king and his robot army
A group of characters compete in a series of games to be crowned the Ultimate All-Star Champion.
A forbidden game leads to a blank screen. Can it be fixed before mom returns?
Three goats must escape a video game dungeon or become a troll's lunch.
Little Bill learns imagination beats any video game.
Two friends navigate a mysterious video game that has come to life in their town, threatening their reality and forcing them to work together to survive
Trapped in a video game, Jack must win a real-life race to escape.
Minecraft survival, arcade mysteries, graphic novels, gaming history, and full-length adventures for readers ages 5–12.
In 2045, a virtual treasure hunt turns deadly as rivals vie for control of a digital empire.
A daring rescue in the Nether as friends face danger and detention.
Can they save the Minecraft server before it's shut down forever?
A rift threatens Minecraft's existence. Can the team save their world in time?
A perilous obstacle course in the Nether tests a team's unity and survival skills.
Bees vanish, a hive mind emerges, and a dark sky rip threatens. Can they save their world?
A witch's quest challenges players to protect a rare creature in a chaotic Minecraft world.
A team faces their toughest challenge in the Nether without their expert guide.
Zombified monks threaten Xenos. Can new heroes save the day?
A gamer faces real danger on a volcano with lava approaching.
A gamer girl navigates friendship and identity after a mysterious text from a classmate.
Can Gameknight999 save his friend from Herobrine's virus without losing him forever?
