Being a child of the 80s, there was nothing better than reading Choose Your Own Adventure books. They put you directly in the driver’s seat by determining your character’s fate (i.e. if you turn to page continue on this trip to the center of the earth, turn to page 87; or if you try to turn back, turn to page 88). The books allowed you to make big life decisions that sometimes led you to become the richest person on earth — or shark bait.
Now, Choose Your Own Adventure books are back, and they’re better than ever. The series has adventures that include mountain climbing, underwater exploration, time travel, high speed car racing, and so much more…and all with spectacular endings that you might not see coming.
Choose Your Own Adventure has a Classics series that most parents will probably remember. There are titles like Journey Under the Sea (where you might end up leading the revolt to victory—or be vaporized), or The Abominable Snowman (which offers 28 potential endings!). From the font on the covers of these books to their designs, the nostalgia factor is going to run high, and you’re going to feel like you’re back in fifth grade again—and that’s a good thing.
But if you want to bring the joy of Choose Your Own Adventure books to your kids’ bedtime routine, now you can. The Dragonlarks series is perfect for younger readers. You might opt to read the Lost Dog! book together, where you’ll have to figure out how to save your dog Homer and potentially stand up to a cowboy bully named Schooner, too! Or if your kid wants a spooky tale before lights’ out, read The Haunted House with them, where you’ll have to chase your dog into a creepy old house that might have ghouls and goblins around every turn.
Choose Your Own Adventure books are also excellent for reluctant readers, too. Since your kid gets to choose where and how their character will wind up, it engages their mind more than just a linear storyline might. Plus, if your child winds up locked in a dungeon for 10,000 years, he might be more willing to go back and re-read certain sections so he winds up as a king instead.
So if you’re looking for some fun reading (for both you and your child), Choose Your Own Adventure books are truly page turners.