If you’ve ever gone searching for books with red in their titles, you’ll quickly notice how often the color shows up across beloved classics and modern favourites alike.
Red carries many meanings, from love and passion to courage and even danger, and authors have long used it to capture attention and spark emotion.
In this list, you’ll find everything from timeless children’s stories to gripping thrillers and sweeping epics, all united by a single word.
Each entry comes with a quick snapshot so you can easily discover which “red” book deserves a spot on your reading list next.
12 Books with Red in Their Titles
1. Clifford the Big Red Dog
Author: Norman Bridwell
Year of Publication: 1963
Summary: A gentle giant of a dog, Clifford wins hearts with his oversized kindness.
The story follows his playful adventures with Emily Elizabeth, showing how love makes even the biggest challenges feel small.
2. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Author: Dr. Seuss
Year of Publication: 1960
Summary: A playful rhyming journey filled with silly creatures and colorful fish.
It’s a lighthearted read that sparks laughter while encouraging children to enjoy the rhythm and fun of language.
3. The Red Tent
Author: Anita Diamant
Year of Publication: 1997
Summary: Told through the voice of Dinah, this novel reimagines the women of the Bible.
It explores sisterhood, tradition and resilience in a world where women’s stories were rarely told.
4. Redwall
Author: Brian Jacques
Year of Publication: 1986
Summary: Young mouse Matthias rises from humble beginnings to defend Redwall Abbey.
A tale of bravery, friendship and timeless battles between good and evil in a richly imagined world.
5. The Red Notebook
Author: Antoine Laurain
Year of Publication: 2014
Summary: A Parisian bookseller finds a woman’s lost handbag with a red notebook inside.
His search for the owner blossoms into a tender story of chance, connection and unexpected love.
6. Where the Red Fern Grows
Author: Wilson Rawls
Year of Publication: 1961
Summary: A boy and his two loyal hunting dogs share deep adventures in the Ozarks.
It’s a moving story of childhood dreams, love and heartbreaking loss.
7. Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Year of Publication: 2015
Summary: In a world divided by blood color, Mare discovers a dangerous power she shouldn’t have.
Her secret thrusts her into a deadly game of survival and rebellion.
8. Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Brothers Grimm
Year of Publication: 1812
Summary: A young girl’s visit to her grandmother turns perilous when she encounters a cunning wolf.
A classic fairy tale about innocence, danger and clever escapes.
9. The Little Red Hen
Author: Paul Galdone
Year of Publication: 1973
Summary: A hardworking hen asks her friends for help baking bread but they refuse.
When the bread is ready, she teaches them a simple yet lasting lesson about effort and reward.
10. The Red Badge of Courage
Author: Stephen Crane
Year of Publication: 1895
Summary: A young soldier faces fear and courage during the Civil War.
Through his struggles, the novel captures the raw emotions of battle and the meaning of bravery.
11. Red Rising
Author: Pierce Brown
Year of Publication: 2014
Summary: Darrow, born a lowly Red, infiltrates the ruling class to spark rebellion.
A gripping sci-fi saga of sacrifice, power and the fight for justice on Mars.
12. The Hunt for Red October
Author: Tom Clancy
Year of Publication: 1984
Summary: A Soviet submarine captain risks everything to defect to the West.
Suspense and political intrigue drive this Cold War thriller that made Clancy a household name.
Wrapping on Books with Red in Their Titles
From childhood favorites like Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss, to unforgettable novels such as The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October, these books with red in the title show just how powerful one color can be.
Whether it’s adventure, romance, history or fantasy, each story carries its own spark of imagination.
If you’re looking to revisit old classics or discover something new, this list is a colourful place to start turning pages.