Why should picture books be only for children? We should able to enjoy them too right? I rounded up some picture books for adults to share with you below. DON’T read these with your kids!

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In no particular order..

Picture Books for Adults

Here are 5 picture books for adults I found and enjoyed from different publishers.

Related: Book Posts on Callista’s Ramblings

All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John

This gem from Chronicle Books claims the book is the saddest funny book and the funniest sad book you’ll ever read. I agree. This book is in cartoon form and shows various creatures and people and makes comments about death/misery.

e.g. All my friends are dead (dinosaur), all my friends are end tables (tree), all my friends are undead (zombie), all my friends expired on Tuesday (milk jug) and all my friends are soooooooo last season (purse.)

All My Friends Are Dead isn’t for kids but it isn’t overly adult either so it would make a great conversation peace for a party or a coffee table book. There is also a sequel which I haven’t read called All My Friends Are Still Dead.

Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

This book is hilarious and produced by Akashic Books. It’s to vent off those feelings parents get when their kids do anything to delay bedtime by complaining about things or asking for things and getting out of bed many, many times. This is why grownups need picture books.

If you have or have ever had young children you will appreciate this one. It was so well received that they eventually made another version that you actually CAN read to kids (without the swearing.)

The cats nestle close to their kittens, the lambs have lain down with the sheep. You’re cozy and warm in your bed, my dear. Please go the f*ck to sleep.

The windows are dark in the town, child. The whales huddle down in the deep. I’ll read you one very last book if you swear, You’ll go the f*ck to sleep.

I love how Go the F*ck to Sleep pairs the usual quiet, calming words of a bedtime story with the F-word (which is not starred out in the book.) Check out the calmer version for kids Seriously, Just Go to Sleep and their newer book, You Have to F*cking Eat (not for kids.)

The Taking Tree: A Selfish Parody by Shrill Travesty

The Taking Tree is a parody of The Giving Tree from Simon & Schuster which is a beautiful book about the relationship between a boy and a tree as the boy grows older and older.

Let’s compare:

The Giving Tree:

Once there was a tree… and she loved a little boy. And everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest.

The Taking Tree:

Once there was a kid who spent every day under a tree. The tree was his best friend. Which shows what a loser the kid was. The kid used to take twigs from the tree and poke his sister with them. And he took acorns from the tree to whip at old people.

Or this example…

The Giving Tree:

“I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money?” “I’m sorry,” said the tree, “but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

The Taking Tree:

He told the tree, “I want to go away to college, but I have no money to pay for it. Will you give me your apples? The tree said, “I’m an oak tree. I can’t grow apples. When have you ever seen me grow apples?” And the kid whined, “Come on. I thought you were my friend.”

It just gets funnier from there on. The Taking Tree is actually better than the original, I think.

K is for Knifeball: an alphabet of Terrible advice by Avery Monsen and Jory John

Finally an alphabet book for adults! This book from Chronicle Books is by the same authors as All My Friends Are Dead, mentioned above.

The book starts off with a note that if kids read this, not to follow it’s advice with a joke that it needs you to sign their waiver before reading. The advice was funny but while most of the pages rhymed, some didn’t which threw me off.

A is for apple. Eat one every day. And then wash it down with your mom’s Cabernet.

D is for drifter who’s out on your lawn. Bring him inside when your parents are gone.

F is for fire, made with logs and a lighter. Throw Daddy’s wallet in. It’ll burn brighter!

G is for Grandma. Reminder her that she’ll be dead soon.

K is for Knifeball would also make a funny coffee table book for guests, as long as there are no kids around.

Octopus and Family by Annabelle Lee

This bitty book by Publisher Oscura takes Octopuses and turns them into something else with a catchy name. A lot of them aren’t too bad but there are a few that are definitely adult. It’s a book of puns.

e.g. Cactopus (octopus posed like a cactus, green and with acupuncture needles all over him,) Frocktopus (Octopus in a frock (dress) with makeup and earrings) or Croctopus (Octopus wearing Crocs (the shoes).)

Those were some of the mild ones. There is one about Trump (in a negative light).

Octopus and Family is a cute start and I hope the author makes more pun books because I love puns.

Other Picture Books for Adults

There are many others out there, here are a few I haven’t read.