Favorite Duos for Early Readers

Duos have always been a classic in children's literature. Those who are older probably remember iconic duos such as Frog and Toad, Henry and Mudge, or Calvin and Hobbs. Some of you probably still pass on your love for these characters onto those younger than you, keeping them popular even now. There are many great best friend duos in recent children's literature too though and I am here to share these new friends with you.

https://provo.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/pl/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:407421/email?qu=narwhal+and+jelly&rw=12&d=ent%3A%2F%2FSD_ILS%2F0%2FSD_ILS%3A407421%7EILS%7E20&isd=true&h=8

Okay, lets start with one you probably already know. Narwhal and Jelly. If you haven't read up on these fun playmates yet, don't let another opportunity pass you up. These books mostly take the form of children's comics, BUT there are some great new board books that have released in the last couple of years that you should also check out if you haven't had the chance, called Bubbles and Blankie.

Remaining in the world of young children's comics comes another fun duo favorite of mine, Fox and Rabbit. These two adorable friends explore the world around them with several chapters of stories. Fox is bold and adventurous and Rabbit is organized and reserved, but loyal to his best friend. Just like it says on the cover, "This book will be your new best friend!"

Another new pair is Fitz and Cleo. This brother and sister pair are so opposite and bring a whole lot of sweet sibling humor to the table. These ghosts are a lot of fun and worth getting invested in any season of the year!

If you are looking for an intermediate series, Sydney and Taylor is a great place to start. With fun colored illustrations and short entertaining chapters, you can read of the adventures of a skunk and hedgehog exploring the world.

Moving into some easy reader favorites, another new couple of friends is Tip and Tucker. These mischievous hamsters get into a lot of trouble and are so entertaining to follow in the messy trail they leave behind them.

Another is Fox and Chick. This one is a great read alike for those who love the classic duo Elephant and Piggie. The first book received several awards and has great fun humor and banter to enjoy. It is designed in a graphic box layout and with speech bubbles, similar to some of the comics listed earlier.

A slightly older duo that made their debut in 2006 are featured in a series picture and board books, but with a new easy reader book from 2019 is Duck and Goose. Although the series is older, it is one that can still easily be enjoyed over time and continues to publish newer editions about this sweet friendship.

Now of all the picture book duos, the one I have chosen is Ollie and Augustus. This book is not a series like the rest, but it is one that I hope to see the characters again in a new book! This small boy and large dog make a delightful and playful team and the book has become an easy favorite of mine.

Comments

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...

Review: The Library in the Woods

The Library in the Woods Written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie Minneapolis, MN : Carolrhoda Books, 2025. Picture Book. I am always intrigued by picture books that tell stories from the past in beautiful and meaningful ways, leaving the reader educated, and also hopeful and inspired. This book definitely did that for me! The cover is a beautiful peek into the story waiting on the pages. Junior and his family have lived on a farm that is having a hard time producing what it needs to for the family to survive economically. The parents make the hard decision to move away from the farm and into the city. Junior misses a lot of things about his life in the country. However, when Junior's friends tell him about a library in the woods, things change for him in the best way! He is amazed by the seemingly endless collection of books, and is eager to check some out for his family. Junior excitedly borrows a few books, including one about a farmer for his dad ...

Review: Tumblebaby

Tumblebaby Written by Adam Rex Illustrated by Audrey Helen Weber New York : Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2024. Picture book. I love a funky picture book. Slumbering Tumblebaby rolls out the door and into a wonderfully meandering yarn, thwarting scoundrels and coyotes, scaling unclimbable mountains, and even building a community center in Colorado City. Adam Rex's text reads like a folksy tall tale, punctuated by funny lines and rhyming chants. Weber's colorful, round illustrations feel a little Fauvist, a little cubist. It's a sort of "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" but in reverse - we learn in the last few pages that, in fact, that baby was YOU! This revelation made my young son gasp, which made me choke up. Tumblebaby is a surreal delight perfect for reading together.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog