Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Books for Kids

Rosie (a modern-day Little Red Riding Hood) embarks on a journey to her grandmother’s house, and each path she takes intertwines her story with other fairy tales: Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, The Three Little Pigs, and more. Written in cleverly rhyming verse, the choices in this picture book lead to many outcomes– some ‘happily ever after,’ and some hilariously grim. Readers will love this mashup of creatively twisted fairy tales.

This vibrant picture book invites readers on a space-filled adventure, empowering them to create their own story. Brightly colored illustrations, labels, and short prompts help kids choose their character, outfit, destination, what they want to bring, and more. These engaging prompts serve as fun starting points for kids to build their own unique narratives, making it a fantastic way to introduce the basic elements of storytelling. With millions of combinations, readers can enjoy a completely new adventure every time they open the book.

Darla is an aspiring astronaut who wants to go to outer space, but before she heads to Mars, she must navigate through a typical day here on Earth. As readers interact with the book, they must decide how Darla should respond to different scenarios. Each decision leads to different outcomes, which helps young readers see the power of their choices. Our family loved this picture book because it sparked great conversations about actions and consequences in a gentle, nonjudgmental way.

Josephine and Rose are two little princesses who love adventure. The problem is, Rose always wants to go “this way,” while Josephine always wants to go “that way.” Young readers will love that they get to make the decisions that guide the princesses on their adventures. The unique tabbed pages make it easy for toddlers and pre-readers to choose a path.

This interactive STEM book is part of the “Science Explorers” series and takes readers on a journey to the ocean’s twilight zone in pursuit of a giant squid. Readers step into the role of a teuthologist–a scientist who studies squids–and meet a diverse team of researchers. Then, they choose their submarine, their pilot, and their path. Since each decision leads to a different adventure, readers learn new facts about marine life and scientific expeditions at every turn. An engaging nonfiction choice for emergent readers.

You are a mermaid, in charge of protecting all the sea creatures. However, you’ve always dreamed of leaving the water and joining the royal campers on Princess Island. This Choose Your Own Adventure Jr. book is designed especially for younger readers who aren’t quite ready for the original series. Young readers explore a magical undersea world, escaping sea witches, rescuing dolphins, searching for hidden treasure, or attending a royal ball. Colorful illustrations keep readers engaged, while the gentle tone and positive endings make this book a great choice for sensitive or less adventurous readers.

Mr. Freeze has turned Gotham City into a snow globe, and only Batman can stop the villain and end the blizzard. As Batman, readers make important decisions that change the outcome of the story: should Batman call the police or fight Mr. Freeze alone? Should he force Mr. Freeze into submission or use his brains to outsmart the villain and save the day? Kids who love superheroes will jump at the chance to think as Batman and and choose one of 13 possible endings. 

When his mom gets sick, Carlos and his best friend Eliza save her floundering detective agency and are rewarded with positions as “junior detectives.” Now on their first international case in Greece, Carlos and Eliza must figure out who is stealing priceless artifacts from an archeological dig. Readers put their detective hats on in order to pick the suspects to question, the clues to follow, and the puzzles to solve. A perfect choice for kids who love mysteries and detective stories.

As your town of Jacksonville, Florida becomes more crowded, your family’s farm struggles with the competition. Your family decides to journey west via the Oregon Trail, but you face many challenges along the way. Readers make choices about traveling with other families, stopping to rest, or seeking shelter during bad weather. This book also includes a map and a guide to help readers choose the right path. With 22 possible endings, kids can have a new adventure each time they read.

This travel adventure begins at Tower of London, and from there readers choose their transportation and journey around the globe, exploring a variety of interesting cities like Sydney, Venice, and Buenos Aires. The book is packed with fascinating facts and brightly colored illustrations that will get kids excited about the next destination. If they choose the right route, readers have an amazing adventure end up back in London. If not, the “dead end” sign encourages them to begin again.

You are a brave knight, and the prince of Nekasuh calls on you to rescue the kidnapped princess of Orc. Readers select their character, solve puzzles, collect supplies, and defeat dragons and giants in order to bring the princess home safely. Kids who love graphic novels will appreciate the comic-style panels (with hidden numbers!) in this highly visual adventure.

In this book, readers participate in historic Apollo missions, choosing key roles like flight director, flight commander, or Moon Buggy Driver. The book encourages active participation—readers are prompted to doodle, solve puzzles, and even fold or tear pages to “draw their way out of the book.” Besides being incredibly entertaining, this book also introduces kids to real historical events and inspiring figures like Neil Armstrong and Katherine Johnson. The unique, game-like format makes it a great pick for reluctant readers and creative kids alike.

Readers join Carmen Sandiego on a mission to rescue an endangered tiger cub and stop VILE from kidnapping exotic animals. As a junior zookeeper in charge of caring for the rare cub, you and Carmen journey all over the globe, making decisions that will hopefully get the cub back home. With over 20 different endings, kids can create new adventures with each read. My daughter loved the Carmen Sandiego television show, and she was thrilled to receive this book as a gift.

When your kooky Aunt Louise gives you a special gold charm that’s been in your family for hundreds of years, you discover that it grants you three wishes. What will you wish for? Will you ask your sister’s opinion before making a wish? Do you want a puppy, a million dollars, or to fly high above your neighborhood? Choose Your Own Adventure Jr. books are geared toward kids ages 5-8, featuring simpler plotlines and vibrant illustrations. The results of the reader’s choices are low-stakes, with most ending happily. A great introduction to interactive books for early elementary readers.

You are a gamer, excited for a new treasure-hunting adventure that was supposed to be the greatest video game ever played. But one month before the game’s release, it disappeared. Now, you must play from the inside, exploring a hidden island, solving puzzles, and battling enemies. Once readers “beat” the game within the book, they hunt for every possible ending, which unlocks a secret story online. This interactive book is perfect for reluctant readers or kids who’d rather be gaming.

This clever comic book allows readers to step into the shoes of Deadpool, Marvel’s sarcastic anti-hero. As they travel through different eras of Marvel history, kids make choices that influence the storyline, roll the cut-out dice to determine outcomes, and track their scores, unlocking different paths for Deadpool to explore. Comic book fans will love this entertaining and incredibly unique adventure.

In this YA novel, four friends are heading out on a road trip inspired by a unique deck of tarot cards. However, their trip gets shaken up when they learn that the tarot deck is more valuable and powerful than they realized. Along the way, the characters deal with realistic problems, navigate romance, and struggle with self-discovery while on this mystical adventure. Teen readers will love this interactive novel where they choose how the story unfolds.

This wacky version of Romeo and Juliet allows readers to completely reimagine the tragic love story. In this book, teens can choose whether to play as Romeo, Juliet, or even both simultaneously. The narrative allows readers to stay true to the original play or make choices such as Juliet becoming a brilliant inventor or Romeo joining a traveling theater troupe. The book frequently addresses the reader directly, playfully pokes fun at certain literary tropes, and offers over 100 wildly different endings.

This choose-your-own-destiny book set in post-WWII Italy follows a young protagonist (you!) as they attempt to start a new life. During the war, you rescued and hid an Australian airman near your small Italian village. The airman inspired you to take chances and chase your dreams, and the choices you make will determine your outcome. The unique format provides a closer look at historical events and the immigrant experience, but some of the war-related content is best suited for older middle grade readers.

From the moment you wash ashore on a deserted island, you make choices that determine your destiny. Readers choose their destination, follow directions on each page, and see how their choices determine their fate. Each decision brings new dangers, surprising challenges, and unexpected consequences. With dozens of possible paths and endings, this book will keep adventure lovers hooked from start to finish.