For everyone out there who thinks that children’s literature is just a bunch of cute, harmless fluff, I disagree with you. Every year books arrive that seek to challenge young minds and the status quo.

Like these books below.

Click here for the Wildest Children’s Books of 2014

Click here for the Wildest Children’s Books of 2013

Click here for the Wildest Children’s Books of 2012

What Is Punk? by Eric Morse; illustrated by Anny Yi

Akashic Books | October 6, 2015

Why It’s Wild: A history of punk music for kids illustrated in Gumby-esque claymation (minus the -mation)

Look! by Édouard Manceau

OwlKids Books | March 17, 2015

Why It’s Wild: You know what’s amazing? Cutting a whole in a book and creating an experience that allows kids to see the world around them with fresh eyes.

The Unofficial Holy Bible for Minecrafters: A Children’s Guide to the Old and New Testament by Garrett Romines and Christopher Miko

Sky Pony Press | March 3, 2015

Why It’s Wild: If you’re like me, you saw the title and assumed this book was a “bible” in the sense that it was a comprehensive guide to all things Minecraft. No, it’s literally bible stories acted out by Minecraft characters. To say I didn’t see this coming is an understatement.

The Bureau of Misplaced Dads by Éric Veillé

Kids Can Press | August 1, 2015

Why It’s Wild: A boy misplaces his dad, and meets a stranger who takes him to look for a new one. It’s just so … odd. So wonderfully odd.

Only Fish Fall From the Sky by Leif Parsons

POW! Books | May 5, 2015

Why It’s Wild: A picture book by a philosopher where the main character lives in a world where fish, not rain, falls from the sky. I could go on, but I think you’re probably saying, “Yep, that book belongs here” by now.

The Land of Lines by Victor Hussenot

Chronicle Books | June 2, 2015

Why It’s Wild: A Bic pen doodle love story on LSD

Daddy Sat on a Duck by Scott M. Cohn

Little, Brown | May 5, 2015

Why It’s Wild: It’s rare when a book from one of the Big Five publishers leaves me speechless. This book left me speechless. Daddy Sat on a Duck breaks more ground (on the subjects of bodily functions and, uh, other stuff) than any other book for children this year. Seriously, stuff I can’t even write about here without blushing.

The Yes by Sarah Bee; illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

Eerdmans Books | February 16, 2015

Why It’s Wild: Anthropomorphizing the word “yes” – it’s a bold move that works. And I bet you can guess who the villain is…

Some Things I’ve Lost by Cybèle Young

Groundwood Books | September 15, 2015

Why It’s Wild: Everyday objects morph into underwater oddities – each one meticulously sculpted out of paper.

Random Body Parts: Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse by Leslie Bulion; illustrated by Mike Lowery

Peachtree | March 1, 2015

Why It’s Wild: I direct you to the title of the book.

Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt

Tundra Books | August 25, 2015

Why It’s Wild: Can’t say I’ve ever seen a picture book (and a 96 page picture book at that) deal with the Kübler-Ross five stages of grief.