Talent Show Books for Kids

Whether you’re a teacher prepping for an upcoming school performance, looking to inspire a child with big dreams of becoming a star, or a parent trying to help a child overcome stage fright, you’ve come to the right place. Dive into these talent show books where imagination takes center stage!

You can click on any of the titles below to learn more about each story or find all of these talent show books on my Amazon page.

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Talent Show Books for Kids

Unleash your child’s inner performer with this collection of talent show books for kids. From captivating picture books that introduce young readers to the thrill of the spotlight to engaging chapter books that explore the journey of an aspiring artist, these stories are sure to inspire creativity and confidence.

The Good Egg and the Talent Show

by Jory John

The talent show is today and the Good Egg is so excited. There’s just one problem. He doesn’t have an act!

When the talent show starts, he accepts that he’ll be just a regular ol’ audience member. But when his friends need help on stage, the Good Egg steps up to help and discovers that being yourself and kindness deserve a standing ovation.

The Talent Show from the Black Lagoon

by Mike Thaler

The kids have to perform in the talent show just because mean Mrs. Green says so! Everyone will have to show a talent for exactly one minute — in front of the whole school and their parents! Starring in the talent show from the Black Lagoon would give any kid stage fright – but with a little luck this performance might just turn out to be fun!

Grab some activities to pair with this book here.

We Will Rock Our Classmates

by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope is a T. rex, and she’s very good at it. She also likes to rock out on guitar! With the school talent show coming up, Penelope can’t wait to perform for her classmates. But sharing who you are can be show-stoppingly scary, especially when it’s not what people expect. Will Penelope get by with a little help from her friends?

Talent Show Troubles

by Jess Smart Smiley

Megan Hathaway is in charge of Sunbright Middle School’s talent show, and everything is going wrong.

Animals are running wild backstage, vice-principal Fisher is out for blood, and Megan’s friend Olivia might be turning into a zombie. Can YOU help Megan salvage this mess, or will you doom her to an eternity in the school’s basement?!

Ready, Freddy! Talent Show Scaredy-Pants

by Abby Klein

Everyone’s excited about the first grade Grandparents Day talent show–everyone except Freddy. He thinks he has no talent, and bully Max Sellars’s teasing is making him feel even worse! But when Freddy’s dad teaches him some magic tricks, it just might make Freddy a star, AND get Max off his back. Tricks are tricky though, and when things go awry, Freddy must count on Papa Dave and his sister Suzie to make some extra-special magic happen, both for the talent show, and for Max!

Grab some activities to pair with this book here.

Etta Extraordinaire

by Roda Ahmed and Charnaie Gordon

Meet Etta!

Etta was born to be a shining star. When Etta discovers her school is hosting a talent show, she wants to share her many talents with the world. Even though she has never performed onstage before, all Etta needs to do is make a plan. (Etta always has a plan!)

And in 1, 2, 3, 4 steps, she’s ready for her big performance on the big stage in front of a BIG audience.

Or is she?

Mrs. Lane is a Pain!

by Dan Gutman

For A.J. and the gang at Ella Mentry School, weirdness and fun are all part of the routine. In this twelfth book in the outrageously funny My Weirder School series, Principal Klutz hires a talent coach, Mrs. Lane, to help the kids prepare for the Ella Mentry School talent show. But what will A.J.’s talent be? And what happens when Mrs. Lane tries to steal the show?

Talent Show Mix-Up

by Dan Gutman

Mr. Cooper’s class is having a talent show. But A.J. has a problem—he doesn’t have a talent! What will he do when the big day comes?

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

by Laurie Keller

Those wacky scrambled states are at it again. This time they’ve come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when the director, Indiana, is about to call SHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can’t perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains for Georgia and the Jolly Jugglers?

Horrible Harry and the Missing Diamond

by Suzy Kline

Catastrophe strikes Room 3B when the diamond on Miss Mackle’s engagement ring disappears. Fortunately, Harry is on the case! The third-grade talent show is coming up, and he wants to show off his skills as South School’s greatest detective. Doug, on the other hand, has no idea what to do for his act. The best friends need to find both Doug’s talent and the teacher’s diamond, or else the talent show will be a horrible disaster for everyone!

Grab some activities to pair with this book here.

Fancy Nancy: The Show Must Go On

by Jane O’Connor

Nancy and her partner for the talent show are very different. They don’t have any of the same talents. Singing and dancing and trapeze swinging are out—will they find a way to bridge their differences and have fun?

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

by Chieri Uegaki

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. Her brothers insist she isn’t good enough. “It’s a talent show, Hana,” they tell her. “You’ll be a disaster!” Hana remembers how wonderfully her talented grandfather, or Ojiichan, played his violin when she was visiting him in Japan. So, just like Ojiichan, Hana practices every day. She is determined to play her best. When Hana’s confidence wavers on the night of the show, however, she begins to wonder if her brothers were right. But then Hana surprises everyone once it’s her turn to perform — even herself!

Toad Has Talent

by Richard Smythe

Every year when Moonlight Pond freezes over, a talent contest takes place deep in the woods. Ducks dance, mice perform… But there is one animal that never competes. Toad watches the talent show from behind his rock, careful to keep himself hidden. Because Toad doesn’t have a special talent–or so he thinks! When Toad is finally discovered, he slips on the icy pond and realises he does have an incredible talent…ice-skating!

Ella Sets the Stage

by Carmela and Steven D’Amico

The school on Elephant Island is holding a talent show, and all the children are excited — all the children, that is, except for Ella. Belinda’s going to do ballet, Tiki’s planned a magic act, but Ella doesn’t have a single idea. She can’t sing, dance, or play an instrument — doesn’t Ella have any talent at all?

Then comes the night of the big show, and Ella discovers her own special talent that shines very bright — even when she’s not in the limelight.

Talent Show Trouble

by Kimberly & James Dean

Pete the Cat’s school is hosting a fun talent show! Pete knows just what to sign up for—playing the guitar. But when he writes his name on the list, he is surprised to see Grumpy Toad also signed up for the same talent.

Me, Me, Me

by Annika Dunklee

When best friends Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne learn their school will be having a talent show, Annie says they should enter as an all-girl singing group. Her friends are all in — until Annie tries to force everyone to go along with her choice of song, costumes, band name and lead singer. When Lillemor and Liliane tell Annie they’ve had enough of her “me, me, me” attitude, the band splits up, with Annie intent on performing solo. But it doesn’t take long for her to realize it’s just not the same without her friends. Can Annie find a way to make things right before it’s too late?

Pug’s Got Talent

by Kyla May

Bub’s human, Bella, is putting on a pet talent show! Bub can’t wait to wow the audience with his skateboarding stunts, not to mention his snazzy costume. But when dress rehearsal doesn’t go as planned, Bub finds that it’s up to him — and his archenemy Duchess the cat — to make things right. Can he and Duchess work together to make sure the show goes on?

Heidi Heckelbeck is Ready to Dance!

by Wanda Coven

It’s time for the Brewster Elementary Talent Show, but Heidi Heckelbeck doesn’t want to perform because she thinks she has no talent. Then Heidi finds a special pair of shoes in the attic and decides she will do a dance—but she may need a little help from her Book of Spells!

Together Forever

by Christine Evans

Luca is still Raven’s best friend. But after he made a wish from the Wish Library without her, she is definitely not going to team up with him for the upcoming talent show. Despite her grudge, something keeps bringing them together―something almost…magical. Luca is the only other person who knows about the Wish Library, and he promises he didn’t make another wish without her. But if he didn’t, who did?

Look What We Can Do!: A Competition!

by Candy James

There’s a talent show happening in town today, and Archie and Reddie really want to win the grand prize: a shiny new wagon! It would be such a help with carrying their books home from the library. But if they’re going to come in first place, they’ll need a super-special act—one that no one’s ever seen before…maybe not even Archie and Reddie! Are they in over their heads, or will they be able to get their act together in time for the show?

Oh, What a Show!

by Lola M. Schaefer

Sprinkles and Swirls are leaping into more fun! They are going to perform at the talent show. But what should they do?

Frankie Sparks and the Talent Show Trick

by Megan Frazer Blakemore

It’s time for the annual school talent show, and Frankie is excited to audition with her magic act! She wants to be just like her idol, Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic. But on the day of the audition, Frankie’s best friend and Magician’s Assistant, Maya, gets a big, scary case of stage fright! How can Maya be Frankie’s helper on stage if she can’t bring herself to speak in front of their audience? It’s up to Frankie Sparks to invent just the perfect thing to help her best friend cope with the spotlight!

Andy & Sandy and the Big Talent Show

by Tomie de Paola

Outgoing Sandy convinces shy Andy to do a dance at the big talent show. The only problem? Andy doesn’t know how to dance! Luckily, Sandy is a good teacher. But when showtime finally arrives, it’s Sandy who freezes up! A true friend through and through, Andy overcomes his shyness to save the performance. Let’s give a standing ovation to friendship!

The Talent Show

by Keith Baker

Mr. and Mrs. Green are back for another round of sweet and adventurous alligator escapades. This time they’re trying their hand at detective work, entering a gumball-guessing contest, and (most daring of all!) participating in the town talent show. Happily for the Greens, luck is on their side. Luck and cookies–JUMBO cookies!

Do you have a favorite talent show book that didn’t make the list? Let me know so I can check it out!