Category: Picture Book

  • The Yellow Bus

    The Yellow Bus

    written & illustrated by Loren Long

    48 pages, 3–6 years; published 2024 by Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan Kids

    A picture book about a school bus and her many uses. This touching story highlights the unique camaraderie between the bus and her community over the years. Long’s illustrations draw the reader in with a limited palette that only focuses color on the bus. The rich yellow seems to glow off the page, and kids will enjoy scanning the extra details in every scene. Long built a remarkable 3-D model of the town he depicts, something readers can learn more about in the back matter. The Yellow Bus feels destined to become a classic with appeal for all ages of kids and adults. A wonderful tale about love, devotion, and new beginnings.

  • Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

    Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

    written & illustrated by Matt Tavares

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2023 by Candlewick Press

    This heartfelt Christmas story has something for everyone: a talking reindeer, a flying adventure, and the kindness of strangers. Framed text blocks and subtle lighting give Tavares’ illustrations a classic feel, and the detailed close-ups of Dasher prove captivating. Kids will enjoy rooting for the impatient Dasher when she travels alone and loses sight of the North Star guiding her home. This book reminds readers to be brave, kind, and thoughtful—grand notions for the holiday season. (This picture book is a sequel to DASHER but each story stands alone.)

  • Flat Cat

    Flat Cat

    Written by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Pete Oswald

    40 pages, 3–7 years; published 2023 by Flamingo Books at Penguin Random House

    Tara Lazar has a knack for tapping into off-beat topics that humor kids, and this picture book is no exception. Flat Cat might not be your typical cat, but that’s just the way he likes it—or is it? This story shows readers how we often don’t know what we really want until we try something new. It includes fun language like splish-splosh, fuzzy-wuzzy, and comfy-cozy, and the illustrations by Oswald push the fun even further. Kids will love seeing Flat Cat in a waffle maker and being sat on by Aunt Harriet—all sure to warrant multiple readings!

  • The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)

    The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)

    written by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by E. B. Lewis

    40 pages, 5–9 years; published 2023 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

    This picture book by Winsome Bingham is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the concept of voting. It tells the story of a young girl and her grandmother embarking on a long walk to a voting site. They stop along the way to pick up friends and neighbors and remind one another about why this freedom is so important to exercise. The paintings by E. B. Lweis are tenderly rendered to show the colorful diversity of the urban setting and its community. It may be a cold fall day, but readers will feel the sun’s warmth on the characters and the hope and dedication in their hearts to carry out this call. 

  • The Bright Side

    The Bright Side

    written & illustrated by Chad Otis

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2023 by Rocky Pond Books

    The Bright Side by Chad Otis brings a much-neglected topic to the picture book realm. His story about an unhoused boy living in a school bus with his parents is autobiographical. This helps Otis present genuine fears and challenges for his character. He brings attention to the fact that schools include children from diverse backgrounds and experiences which warrant compassion and tolerance. There’s a beautiful frankness to the story paired with colorful illustrations conveying emotion and showing readers that kids are both adaptable and resilient. Otis reminds us that staying positive through adversity requires sparks of imagination, something readily available to kids if they continue to be surrounded by love, no matter where they sleep at night.

  • The Little Books of the LIttle Brontës

    The Little Books of the LIttle Brontës

    written by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Briony May Smith

    40 pages, 5–9 years; published 2023 by Tundra Books/Penguin Random House of Canada

    What I love most about The Little Books of the LIttle Brontës by Sara O’Leary is how it highlights the imagination of the Brontë siblings. The story focuses on the miniature books they created and the storytellers they embodied. Readers do learn about some of the sadness that entered their lives, but it’s not dwelled on. 

    The endearing illustrations by Briony May Smith truly enrich the story. They have a timeless quality and attention to detail that children will love to examine. The back matter is equally rich and gives a deep dive into the history of the Brontë family that older children and teachers will enjoy. There’s even a craft guide. What a wonderful literary biography tackled in a thoroughly unique way.

  • Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards

    Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards

    written by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

    40 pages, 7–10 years; published 2022 by Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers

    This biography about the author/illustrator Robert McCloskey will likely surprise young readers. It’s hard to believe his artwork for Make Way for Ducklings referenced live ducks. Kids will chuckle when viewing Stadtlander’s paintings of silly duck antics paired with Smith’s tales of the havoc they caused in McCloskey’s apartment. What an impressive effort to ensure his illustrations were authentic. The success of that award-winning picture book gives readers a wonderful example of how doing your best can make a difference. Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards: The Making of MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS contains interesting back matter that includes a note from McCloskey’s daughter along with a few original sketches and photos. 

  • How to Write a Poem

    How to Write a Poem

    written by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido,
    illustrated by Melissa Sweet

    32 pages, 4–8 years; published 2023 by Quill Tree Books

    How to Write a Poem holds the charm of being both a short story and an imaginative poem. It contains layers of meaning mirrored in the illustrations by Melissa Sweet. Her collages engage your senses with hand-drawn type, organic shapes, and pops of color. Children’s ears and eyes will want to read this picture book over and over again. There is so much to take in, interpret, and explore. Kwame Alexander sums it up in the author’s note when he says he and Deanna Nikaido, “wrote this poem to remind us all that words are fun….” 

  • Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone

    Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone

    written & illustrated by Airlie Anderson

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2024 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

    Some may say Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone by Airlie Anderson is quiet, but this picture book is also bursting with colorful illustrations and charming birds. Sometimes when the other birds are noisy and playing games, Only flys off on their own to sit and read. This story does a great job of showing how some of us need downtime, quiet time, or alone time. Despite this fact, no one actually wants to be lonely. Kids will see ways you can enjoy friendship in a low-key manner and how empowering it can be to identify what your personality needs and ask for it from others. Readers will also love analyzing the unique details in Anderson’s adorable paintings—something often done quietly. 

  • Wombats Are Pretty Weird

    Wombats Are Pretty Weird

    written & illustrated by Abi Cushman

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2023 by Greenwillow Books

    Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious Guide packs loads of humor around its non-fiction text (which includes back matter). Kids won’t realize how much they’re learning! Abi Cushman possesses incredible skill at drawing animals with both cute and expressive faces. She pairs her illustrations with hilarious dialogue and somehow gets animal facts in there too. The mystery of square poop is laid to rest thanks to Cushman’s relatable science speak. Turns out wombats are indeed pretty weird, and a whole lot of fun.