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Read This! 7 Awesome Northwest Kids’ Books

Tired of the same ole bedtime story? Click through for the best Northwest kids’ books of the 21st century.

By Erin Cranston March 5, 2014

As kids, we all had a favorite book that was requested at bedtime, read repeatedly until the spine broke and the pages were torn. For some it was friendly Richard Scarry; for others, silly Dr. Seuss. But for those of us who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, there was always one book on our bedside tables: the sweet story about a grumpy ball of orange fluff named the Wheedle, whose nose blinked red as he snoozed on top of the Space Needle. Lucky for us, that book is still in print, and still causes many kiddos to stare at the top of the Needle and wonder…but are there any iconic Northwest kids’ books for the 21^st century? Flip through our gallery and decide for yourself.

My Cousin Has Eight Legs

We couldn’t resist this silly and entertaining book about a boy who gets a visit from an octopus named Victor one afternoon while riding a ferry home from a visit to a Northwest island beach. Author and illustrator Jasper Tompkins grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and you can see that influence in the fun pictures and amazing adventures taken by an adventurous octopus and his easygoing friend. Victor’s unbelievable hijinks and amazing abilities (betcha didn’t know octopuses could climb Mount Rainier?) are laugh out loud funny, and his trips to his host’s school and up into a treehouse will have your little ones requesting a Victor all their own.

Find it at: University Book Store

Did we miss your favorite Northwest-themed kids’ book? Let us know in a comment below!

-Erin Cranston

Photo credits: Haley Stocking/Sasquatch Books