Here are 100 books that The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins fans have personally recommended if you like The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Secret Garden

Carla Kessler Author Of Terracolina: A Place to Belong

From my list on where kids who believe in nature make a difference.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, one of my favorite places was in the top branches of a tree. From up there I could watch the world pass by, remaining invisible. I could make up stories about the world below and no one would challenge me. The second best place for me was inside the story of a book, the kind that took you to magical places where children always found a way to win the day. I knew when I “grew up” I would write one of those empowering books. I became a middle school teacher and have since read many wonderful books for this age. Enjoy my list of favorites.  

Carla's book list on where kids who believe in nature make a difference

Carla Kessler Why Carla loves this book

This book touched many from my generation.

For me, Mary’s abandonment by the adults around her, came close to home. I rooted for her to free her soul. It was the beauty of the garden and the gentle robin that first melted the ice around her heart by connecting her with nature.

Then along came Dickon, who had grown up deeply connected with the earth and inspired her further, and finally Colin, who, like her, had been neglected. They healed each other as they revitalized the garden, experiencing the joys of mother earth.

It reinforced my own faith in mother nature, who also supported me whenever I grappled with my reality. 

By Claire Freedman , Shaw Davidson (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Secret Garden as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Rediscover the magical story of Mary Lennox, who arrives in the wild and windswept Yorkshire a sickly and miserable girl - until she discovers a forgotten, Secret Garden.

As Mary works hard to bring the garden back to life, its magic begins to work on her too . . .

This classic and beloved story has been beautifully retold by Claire Freedman and brought to glorious visual life by new illustration talent Shaw Davidson


If you love The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins...

Book cover of Parlor Poetry

Parlor Poetry by Lori Alden Holuta,

An illustrated A-to-Z (plus an ampersand) poetry collection celebrating Victorian life. It's a lighthearted, illustrated journey through the unforgettable Victorian era.

From Ada Lovelace’s creation of the first algorithm to the gasp-inducing moving images of the Zoetrope, each poem and historical note invites you to relax with a cup of…

Book cover of La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey with Papa

Nicki Cornwell Author Of Christophe's Story

From my list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war.

Why am I passionate about this?

Two books that I read as a young child were very important to me. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss made me think about riches, poverty, and the power that rich people have to make stupid rules; and poor people have no choice but to obey them. The Japanese Twins from Lucy Fitch Perkins' series on twins from different cultures gave me a life-long interest in cultural differences. Not only did they think differently, depending on their culture, they also had different skin colours. Later I learned about racism when I worked with unhappy displaced children and interpreted for asylum-seekers. I write from a child's perspective, making books accessible to all ages.

Nicki's book list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war

Nicki Cornwell Why Nicki loves this book

I learned from this story why families make the difficult decision to split up and send a father and a child on a dangerous journey for a better life. This family lives in Mexico, facing hunger and destitution. The father and his son became migrants. They walked to America, knowing that they could be split up or one of them die.

In this book, I learned about the Mexican-American War, and the atrocious US policy of splitting migrant children from their parents.

By Deborah Mills ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked La Frontera as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Join a young boy and his father on a daring journey from Mexico to Texas to find a new life. They'll need all the resilience and courage they can muster to safely cross the border - la frontera - and to make a home for themselves in a new land. AGES: 8 to 10 AUTHORS: Alfredo Alva is a stonemason from La Ceja, Mexico. He and his family live in Texas, where he designs architectural details from stone for local architects. He met Deborah Mills while working on a local architecture project, and they worked together to write his story…


Book cover of Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of the Sudan

Nicki Cornwell Author Of Christophe's Story

From my list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war.

Why am I passionate about this?

Two books that I read as a young child were very important to me. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss made me think about riches, poverty, and the power that rich people have to make stupid rules; and poor people have no choice but to obey them. The Japanese Twins from Lucy Fitch Perkins' series on twins from different cultures gave me a life-long interest in cultural differences. Not only did they think differently, depending on their culture, they also had different skin colours. Later I learned about racism when I worked with unhappy displaced children and interpreted for asylum-seekers. I write from a child's perspective, making books accessible to all ages.

Nicki's book list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war

Nicki Cornwell Why Nicki loves this book

30,000 children some of whom were as young as six were orphaned and displaced from their homes when their villages were attacked in the Civil War. They met and banded together to trek across Sudan to Ethiopia and Kenya, looking for a new home. This was a journey of almost 1,000 miles. Thousands died on the way, but over 3,000 survived and many were resettled in America. I learned what can happen to children when their village is attacked and their parents killed. It's a fascinating story of perseverance and the importance of hope.

By Mary Williams , R. Gregory Christie (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Brothers in Hope as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor, American Library Association (ALA)
Notable Children's Book, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Best Children's Books of the Year: Outstanding Merit, Bank Street College of Education
Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA)
Children's Book Award Notable, International Literacy Association (ILA)
Books Reflecting Diversity: - A Look Into a Wilder World, Bank Street College Children's Book Committee

Based on heartbreaking yet inspirational true events in the lives of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Brothers in Hope is a story of remarkable courage, and an amazing testament to the unyielding power…


If you love Dr. Seuss...

Book cover of Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace by Evonne Blanchard,

My books are a space adventure fantasy series for children ages 5-10. The first book in the series is Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace.

Amelia gets a present that's not a present for her birthday. It's an alien called Uglesnoo from Pluto. Crazy stuff eh! Uglesnoo’s sister…

Book cover of Catherine's War

Nicki Cornwell Author Of Christophe's Story

From my list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war.

Why am I passionate about this?

Two books that I read as a young child were very important to me. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss made me think about riches, poverty, and the power that rich people have to make stupid rules; and poor people have no choice but to obey them. The Japanese Twins from Lucy Fitch Perkins' series on twins from different cultures gave me a life-long interest in cultural differences. Not only did they think differently, depending on their culture, they also had different skin colours. Later I learned about racism when I worked with unhappy displaced children and interpreted for asylum-seekers. I write from a child's perspective, making books accessible to all ages.

Nicki's book list on asylum-seeking and displaced children and war

Nicki Cornwell Why Nicki loves this book

I chose this story to illustrate the plight of Jewish people during the Nazi occupation in France. Catherine's War is based on the true story of a Jewish girl named Rachel Cohen who had to leave her boarding school near Paris and find somewhere safe to live. Rachel has to change her name to Catherine Colin and hide her Jewish identity in order to survive. She was sustained by her beautiful camera, which gave her a record of all that she had to through.

By Julia Billet , Claire Fauvel (illustrator) , Ivanka Hahnenberger (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Catherine's War as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

“A shining story of a young girl who struggles to come of age and find her place in a world fraught with danger.” —Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hitler Youth

* Winner of the Youth Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival (voted by readers) * Winner of the Artémisia Prize for Historical Fiction * Winner of the Andersen Premio Prize *

A magnificent narrative inspired by a true survival story that asks universal questions about a young girl’s coming of age story, her identity, her passions, and her first loves.

At the Sèvres Children’s Home outside Paris,…


Book cover of Tower

Lena Gibson Author Of The Edge of Life

From my list on apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic romances.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love reading and writing books set in the near future in apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic settings. These days, they don’t feel far away or unlikely. I like the idea that even if the world falls apart and things are terrible, one of the things worth fighting for is love. Love, beauty, and hope can be found in expected ways and make life worth living. As someone who grew up reading about dark historical times and dark future times, I’ve wanted to find ways to connect to less bleak versions of a possible future. While there are dozens of stories about survival and hardship, these stories of love and hope fill me with optimism.  

Lena's book list on apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic romances

Lena Gibson Why Lena loves this book

As a lover of fairytales growing up, I enjoyed the fairytale elements of Rapunzel, which are interwoven throughout the story of Hailey, a sheltered, rich man’s daughter, who has been kept apart since the Impact.

With her father’s unexpected death, she’s forced to make a difficult decision about her future, because as a single, young woman, there is nothing for her alone in this harsh world.

I love that she doesn’t feel sorry for herself or whine, but makes the best choice possible available in allying herself with Levi. While she doesn’t believe in love, hope, or happily ever after, I love that her choice leads her to find happiness anyway.

By Claire Kent ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tower as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She needs a man to keep her alive in a world full of monsters.He'll do.Ever since the world fell apart, I've been like a princess trapped in a tower, looking down at our chaotic new reality from an upstairs window and never allowed to risk the dangers outside. Then my father dies, and there's no one left to keep me safe from selfish, violent men no longer restrained by social boundaries.I need someone, and the leader of the local gang is my best choice.Rough and intimidating, he's no prince. But Levi agrees to keep me safe, and I do my…


Book cover of Zander

Marysol James Author Of Enemy Within

From my list on first books of great romance series.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m the best-selling romance author of 29 books which span six series. I love creating whole worlds for readers to enter and spend time with smoking-hot bodyguards, motorcycle club members, ex-military bad boys, sexy cowboys, and MMA fighters. Although I love pretty much everything about writing for a living, I do get special joy from having characters from one series wander into a different series and interact with a totally different group of people – keeping track of all the relationships definitely keeps me on my toes! I have three new books coming out this year, so I’m really looking forward to sharing some new stories with my wonderful readers.

Marysol's book list on first books of great romance series

Marysol James Why Marysol loves this book

I always find it ironic (and amusing) when critics sneer that romance writing is formulaic, emotionally shallow, and focused on sex only. Thankfully, Jordan shows them how it’s done right: in every one of her 10+ series, she writes with gut-wrenching emotional depth and her characters are complex, imperfect human beings. Zander introduces us to a group of eight men raised together in a single foster home and who now consider each other brothers. Rough around the edges and on different life paths as adults, they’re all gallant heroes at heart. Zander is the gruffest, least-affable of the brothers, a man who seems unlikely to own up to a mistake or show emotion… but Jordan brings him to life in ways that are simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking.

By Maryann Jordan ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Zander as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Zander. Serious to a fault, he had no time for anything other than focusing on running his bar, Grimm’s. Until he saw her… and pushed her away… right into danger.Racked with guilt over what happened, he could not stay away from her hospital room. Hoping Sleeping Beauty could hear him and know that he was near.What started as guilt, became so much more. But, when Rosalie awoke, would she remember the night he pushed her away? Or just remember the man who rescued her?A Heroes at Heart novel. These men, raised in the loving foster home by the benevolent Miss…


If you love The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins...

Book cover of A Foot is Not a Fish!

A Foot is Not a Fish! by Cornelia Maude Spelman,

In a time of alternative facts and the loss of a shared sense of reality, A Foot is Not a Fish playfully illustrates the difference between what is true and what is not through absurd fun comparisons that every child—and parent—will instantly understand.

This book playfully illustrates common truths by…

Book cover of Can't Help Falling

Marie Soleil Author Of Cinder Luna

From my list on rom-com books that feel like fairy tales.

Why am I passionate about this?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with fairy tales and love. I had imaginary friends and would pretend to be the “damsel in distress,” waiting for my prince to find me. I’ve never lost that love as an adult, but I’ve found that certain books can give me the same feelings I had as a child. And reading these stories always fills me with hope that there is good in the world and that love conquers all!

Marie's book list on rom-com books that feel like fairy tales

Marie Soleil Why Marie loves this book

I loved the meet-cute for this book—technically, the second meet-cute of the two main characters. Who doesn’t want to be saved from a burning building by a hunky firefighter, especially the one you loved as a teenager?

I adored the main character, Emmy, and her belief in love and romance. The setting was especially cozy, and the book made me laugh, too!

By Courtney Walsh ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Can't Help Falling as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sometime all it takes to start a fire is a single match. . .

Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate.

He wasn't when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn't now. I should probably say that I wasn't the bride when that happened. I don't have the best timing.

He’s got a temper, he's moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes.

I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel and long to be kissed in the rain.


Book cover of Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories

Rose Sinclair Author Of The 8th Rank

From my list on fantasy romance to fall in love with fairy tales.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a passion for fairy tale stories especially ones for adults because they are often the first stories we learned as kids. The ability to look back at how we interpreted them and how our understanding changes over time and culture makes for something that is truly timeless, and therefore like a beloved trope is never the exact same thing twice. Each time only builds on our enjoyment and the many possibilities we can imagine. Not only in worlds of magic, but our own.

Rose's book list on fantasy romance to fall in love with fairy tales

Rose Sinclair Why Rose loves this book

Sometimes you simply want all, I get it. That’s part of the reason why so many fairy tale characters know each other in my series, so why not try a brand-new fantasy romance anthology? Featuring 20 different short stories and authors, Once Upon A Forbidden Desire is bound to be magical. If you are anything like me, you have a long to-do list and there never seems like enough time. Short stories are the perfect thing for that in my opinion. I always savor them like an advent calendar’s candy.

By Zoey Ellis , Kristin Gleeson , Kathryn Ann Kingsley , A.J. Lancaster , C.M Nascosta , L Penelope

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Once Upon a Forbidden Desire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When it comes to true love, rules are meant to be broken …

Dark forests and locked doors, poisoned apples and forbidden lovers ... Bold heroines and swoon-worthy heroes break all the rules in this enchanting anthology of the fairy tales you thought you knew.

Once Upon A Forbidden Desire features 20 enticing fairy tale retellings by a diverse selection of fantasy romance authors. From sweet true love’s kisses to sizzling passion, from modern streets to enchanted forests, and from a mage Rapunzel to a winged Prince Charming ...

If you enjoy captivating romance, enthralling new worlds, and stories with…


Book cover of Forgotten Yorkshire Folk and Fairy Tales

Elizabeth Hopkinson Author Of Asexual Fairy Tales

From my list on 21st century fairy tale collections.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved fairy tales, but it was only when I got to Leeds University that I discovered you could enjoy them as an adult. I remember enthusiastically signing up for the “Romance, Ballad and Fairy Tale” module with the inimitable Professor Wawn. I’m now a keen amateur folklorist with an ever-growing collection of books. I use them A LOT in my own writing, and enjoy connecting with my fellow enthusiasts, particularly at the Todmorden Folklore Centre, Yorkshire.

Elizabeth's book list on 21st century fairy tale collections

Elizabeth Hopkinson Why Elizabeth loves this book

As a Yorkshire lass, how could I not love a book of tales from my native soil and stones? I actually helped crowdfund this book, so was one of the first to read it.

I love that many of the tales are associated with real local places. I get very excited when it mentions somewhere I know well. I was especially happy to find a gender-reversed Rapunzel (or "Man In A Tower") story in here. You don’t normally get many of those.

By Andrew Walsh (compiler) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Forgotten Yorkshire Folk and Fairy Tales as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A collection of rarely heard fairy tales from across Yorkshire, plus some local folklore. It has around fifty tales of dragons, giants, hobs, fairies, witches and other folk, or fairy, tales based in Yorkshire.

Most of these are unchanged, or with very minor changes, to the versions found in old (out of copyright) books, though I've tended to soften the dialect to make them easier to read. A few, however, have had slightly more significant changes as the older versions I found were a little brief, and I took a mixture of these and newer versions to retell the story.…


If you love Dr. Seuss...

Book cover of Prince Michael and the Unicorn

Prince Michael and the Unicorn by P.G. Badzey,

Prince Michael hears about a wondrous creature in the Great Forest. But he's only a kid! How could such an amazing creature take notice of him?

With his trusty magic rope in hand, he heads out on a quest to catch a unicorn, only to find out that things are…

Book cover of Beauty and the Beast

Charity Bradford Author Of Fade Into Me

From my list on fairytales retellings with a twist.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved fairytales. What little girl with a growing romantic heart doesn’t? By the time I was eight, I told people I was Cinderella because of all the work I did at home. An exaggeration, even for the oldest child, but still. My first prom dress, during a year I won’t mention, was reminiscent of Cinderella’s blue ballgown. As I became a writer myself, I noticed my stories held themes I learned from fairytales. Love, loyalty, courage, and a dose of magic. I simply add space or aliens to the mix.

Charity's book list on fairytales retellings with a twist

Charity Bradford Why Charity loves this book

I love when an author takes a character you think you know and adds layers of depth you never would have imagined. That’s what Shea does with Elle here. We all picture the Disney Belle--smart but with that feeling of needing to be rescued. This Elle is not that kind of beauty. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I really appreciated the heartbreaking strength this woman had. She literally gives everything for her family, and once she knows his heart, Prince Severin.

By K. M. Shea ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beauty and the Beast as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Once upon a time Elle made a mistake.

A small miscalculation sends her through the roof of an enchanted chateau. Stranded until her broken leg mends, Elle is unwillingly forced to rely on the good will of the sour chateau owner —the cursed Prince Severin.

Prince Severin—the commanding general and staunch supporter of his brother the crown prince—is cursed to look like a beast until a maiden falls in love with him. He has given up all hope of shattering the curse, and has only disdain for Elle.

Unfortunately, the pair can’t seem to avoid each other thanks to the…


Book cover of The Secret Garden
Book cover of La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey with Papa
Book cover of Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of the Sudan

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Interested in fairy tales, cartoons, and Adolf Hitler?

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