We really adore books at Boston Mamas, and today, Rene shares 10 offbeat book recommendations for kids:

We aren't ones to diss the classics, and we adore children's books that are timeless, like the works of Dr. Suess, Sandra Boynton and Eric Carle. But, if you are looking to try something new at bedtime, we've discovered some amazing new reads that don't fit the typical picture book mold.

Offbeat characters and unexpected scenarios set these reads apart from the pack and will engage your littles in an instant. Sometimes a different book is all it takes to spark something in your child. Here are some recent stand-outs that will leave listeners begging for another reading.

1. Perimeter, Area, and Volume: A Monster Book Of Dimensions by David A. Adler. Essential math concepts are easy to absorb thanks to colorful, furry, and charming monsters.

2. Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder. Little T's imaginative and loving family recreates a zoo in order to help her overcome her fears. The watercolor illustrations of animals will delight kids as the sweet story of family, bravery, and love unfolds.

3. Niño Wrestles The World by Yuyi Morales. Little Niño has big dreams of being the greatest lucha libre wrestler in the world. His imagination will grab readers and thrust them into the action in this bilingual tale.

4. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood. Readers will delight as Miss Lumley and her charges uncover another mystery -- this time at her alma mater. Jon Klassen's whimsical illustrations diffuse any potentially frightening undertones in the story.

5. Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos. Baby Billy is born with a mustache, leading him to be a pint-sized cowboy and police man. But when his good-guy mustache twirls and curls into a villains, his parents have to act fast to keep him in line.

6. The Gumazing Gum Girl: Chews Your Destiny by Rhode Montijo. Gabby loves gum so much she becomes a gummy superhero who has to keep her alter-ego a secret. Kids will thrill at a book based on their favorite, chewy treat and Gum Girl's acts of derring-do.

7. The Red Book by Barbara Lehman. This is a book about a book -- but not just any book, but a very special book. This wordless wonder will ignite children's imaginations and leave them pouring over the detailed illustrations.

8. The Templeton Twins Have An Idea by Ellis Weiner. John and Abigail Templeton are 12-year-old twins who are wickedly clever and use their sharp intellect to solve problems -- like the kidnapping of their father by another pair of brilliant twins.

9. Rump: The True Story Of Rumpelstiltskin by Leisl Shurtliff. Young readers learn about the early life of a boy named Rump, destined to become the fairy tale baddie. The sad back story proves that you really can't judge a book by its' cover.

10. Lulu And Pip by Nina Gruener. Photographs instead of illustrations help tell the tale of a sweet girl and her beloved doll's adventure in the country. Younger children will be fascinated by seeing someone else who really looks like them on the pages.

Do you have favorite offbeat book recommendations for kids? We'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Image credits: book jackets via Amazon