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I was a philosophy major in college, but I still had to brush up to remember that philosophers define absurdity as the idea that humans exist in an irrational universe and human life has no meaning. It can take many forms. Absurd literature is silly and ridiculous while pointedly asking “What’s the meaning of all this???” with lots of big fat question marks. Authors who weave absurd elements into their work are doing more than sprinkling surreal details through their stories. They’re adding engaging layers of complexity that give readers much to mull over, while making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. These books are satisfying because they tickle that little part of our brain thinking “This doesn’t make sense.” The world isn’t made up of narrative arcs and heroic journeys. Sometimes we overcome an obstacle because we are lucky or just stubborn. Sometimes we grow and change, but only because time work its magic, not because we’re any wiser or better. Kids know these truths, even if we sometimes to shrug them away. Absurdism sounds a little academic for a picture book, but the books below are proof that it can work!

I often wonder if Julia Donaldson’s work would be as successful if she had tried to launch her career in the United States instead of the UK. Like much of her other work, The Gruffalo has a strong absurdist streak, and it’s been wildly popular. The first half of the story is straight forward little-guy-outsmarts-big-bad-guy fun. The mouse avoids being eaten by a fox, an owl and a snake by telling them he’s having lunch with a gruffalo, walking away saying “Silly old, snake, doesn’t he know, there’s no such thing as a gruffalo.” It all makes perfect sense until about half way through the book when the mouse discovers there is such a thing as a gruffalo, and it looks exactly as he describes. It defies the laws of logic, but it all feels clever and coherent.

We may think of mountains as the embodiment of stability. But despite first appearances, Petra is not a mountain. She’s a rock. Or maybe an egg. Or an elephant. Each shift in perspective reveals new possibilities and provokes more questions. What is this book about? Finding joy in change? Adapting and being flexible? Being optimistic? Depending on her circumstances, Petra’s identity is always shifting, and your interpretation may too.

The premise of this picture book is it’s night and everyone should be sleeping, but they’re all awake. It’s a classic switcheroo with a rollicking rhythm that subverts the bedtime genre. But what sets the book apart is what everyone’s doing while they’re awake: reciting Baudelaire, tap dancing to Prince, trapezing from the ceiling fan, giving poke tattoos, and teaching the cat dirty words. Is it all a dream? The night unfolds in such wildly fantastic ways that perhaps everyone is asleep, and they just don’t know it. Or perhaps time and space collapsed to allow for all the anarchic shenanigans. Which would be more absurd?

Some stories follow a traditional story book format and feel more relatable, but still have strong absurd streaks. In So Few of Me, Leo is so busy he wishes there were two of him, so naturally an army of clones appear. But instead of helping, they just keep finding more work to do. This book plays with the idea of infinity and questions the meaning of work and productivity. The ending comes with a shift in perspective: “What if I did less but did my best?”

Owl has a balloon. Monkey wants it. He offers Owl a sunflower, a bowling pin, and a robot. Who wouldn’t want a robot. But Owl doesn’t want any of it. Until he does. Did someone say something about a sock??? But as soon as Owl describes all the reasons he wants the sock, Monkey realizes he loves the sock and couldn’t possible trade it for a balloon. It’s an emotional rollercoaster we’ve all been on for equally dumb reasons.

Looking back at these stories, here’s where I’ve landed.

Silly + Surprising + Subversive Questions = Absurd

Does this equation sound right to you? I would love to hear where you find absurdity in picture books.

Try This

Curious if absurd elements might elevate your own work? Try adding surprises to your story without explaining them. Let the characters grapple with unanswered questions and worries. Suggest multiple outcomes or readings. Stretch time, space, and the laws of logic. Bring a playful, humble spirit to your work. Send me a message if you try your hand writing an absurd picture book. I would love to hear how it goes!