Want some new and interactive picture book ideas for your kids - here is a list of favourites from the Ottawa Public Library. Let us know if you’ve read any before and which are YOUR favourites.

When I was child, I used to love interactive picture books. Where’s Waldo, The Jolly Postman, The Hungry Caterpillar and Ted and Dolly’s Submarine Surprise. I enjoyed those books so much because I was able to participate in Storytime, I could flip flaps, find Waldo or move the submarine from page to page. As I got older my love for being a part of the story did not waver, I moved onto choose your own adventure books and would read them and re-read them till I got the ending I wanted.

I am all grown up and now get to introduce children to these books each week during Family Storytime. These books will engage the audience, make them laugh and hopefully inspire an excitement for literacy. I have put together a list of my favorite interactive picture books, which are available to borrow at the Ottawa Public Library.

This Book Can Read Your Mind

This hilarious interactive book plays on the idea that when you're told NOT to think of something, somehow it is all you can think about. The book begins with a scientist switching on an incredible new invention: a mind-reading machine!

Press Here

This book instructs the reader on how to interact with the illustrations to create imaginative images.

Tap the Magic Tree

Invites the reader to tap, rub, touch, and wiggle illustrations to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and lose its leaves.

Bunny Slopes
In this interactive picture book, the reader must help Bunny stay on course as he skies down the slope.

Mix It Up!

Using no special effects other than the reader's imagination, simple directions lead the reader to experiment with mixing and changing colors on the printed page.