“What are the best Children’s books about and for Hard Work?” We looked at 183 of the top Kids Hard Work books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

The top 16 titles, all appearing on 3 or more “Best Kids Hard Work” book lists, are ranked below by how many lists they appear on. The remaining 150+ titles, as well as the lists we used are in alphabetical order at the bottom of the page.

Happy Scrolling!

Top 16 Best Children’s Books About Or For Hard Work

16 .) After the Fall written by Dan Santat

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Children’s Library Lady
• We Are Teachers

After falling off the wall, Humpty Dumpty is very afraid of climbing up again, but is determined not to let fear stop him from being close to the birds.

15 .) Brave Irene written by William Steig

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Self Sufficient Kids
• We Are Teachers

Plucky Irene, a dressmaker’s daughter, braves a firece snowstorm to deliver a new gown to the duchess in time for the ball.

14 .) Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music written by Margarita Engle and Rafael López

Lists It Appears On:

• Babble
• Big Life Journal
• We Are Teachers

Follows a young Cuban girl in the 1930s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there’s never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters.…

13 .) Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah written by Laurie Ann Thompson.

Lists It Appears On:

• AM Fam
• Big Life Journal
• We Are Teachers

Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people–but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.…

12 .) Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin written by Chiere Uegaki

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Self Sufficient Kids 2
• We Are Teachers

Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school’s talent show. The trouble is, she’s only a beginner, and she’s had only three lessons. Will her confidence waver on the night of the show?

11 .) I Can’t Do That, YET written by Esther Cordova

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Children’s Library Lady
• We Are Teachers

Enna is a girl who doesn’t believe in herself and often utters the phrase “I can’t do that!” One night in a dream she sees all the possible future versions of herself, discovering that she can be any of those versions with time, knowledge and dedication.

10 .) Ish written by Peter H. Reynolds

Lists It Appears On:

• AM Fam
• Babble
• Self Sufficient Kids 2

Ramon loses confidence in his ability to draw, but his sister gives him a new perspective on things.

9 .) Rosie Revere, Engineer written by Andrea Beaty

Lists It Appears On:

• Children’s Library Lady
• Self Sufficient Kids 2
• We Are Teachers

A young aspiring engineer must first conquer her fear of failure.

8 .) Whistle for Willie written by Ezra Jack Keats

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Buggy And Buddy
• We Are Teachers

A little boy wishes he could whistle. On board pages.

7 .) Flight School written by Lita Judge

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Self Sufficient Kids
• The Guardian
• We Are Teachers

Little Penguin, who has the “soul of an eagle,” enrolls in flight school.

6 .) Giraffes Can’t Dance written by Giles Andreae

Lists It Appears On:

• Babble
• Big Life Journal
• Children’s Library Lady
• The Guardian

Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music.

5 .) Ruby’s Wish written by Shirin Yim Bridges

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Buggy And Buddy
• Children’s Library Lady
• We Are Teachers

In China, at a time when few girls are taught to read or write, Ruby dreams of going to the university with her brothers and male cousins.

4 .) Salt in His Shoes written by Deloris Jordan & Roslyn M. Jordan

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Buggy And Buddy
• Self Sufficient Kids
• Self Sufficient Kids 2

Young Michael Jordan, who is smaller than the other players, learns that determination and hard work are more important than size when playing the game of basketball.

3 .) The Dot written by Peter H Reynolds

Lists It Appears On:

• AM Fam
• Children’s Library Lady
• Self Sufficient Kids 2
• The Guardian

Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher’s encouragement leads her to change her mind.

2 .) The Most Magnificent Thing written by Ashley Spires

Lists It Appears On:

• Big Life Journal
• Children’s Library Lady
• Self Sufficient Kids
• The Guardian

A little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make the most magnificent thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks.…

1 .) How to Catch a Star written by Oliver Jeffers

Lists It Appears On:

• Babble
• Big Life Journal
• Buggy And Buddy
• Self Sufficient Kids
• Self Sufficient Kids 2
• We Are Teachers

Eager to have a star of his own, a boy devises imaginative ways of catching one.

The 150+ Additional Best Kids Hard Work Books

10 Best Children;s Books About Hard Work Sources/Lists