Picture Books

Brilliantly imaginative, Milo reminds us that there is a lot more to people beyond what we first see. I was a lot like Milo when I was a kid; I was always doodling in my precious sketchbooks, and I was also the child of an incarcerated parent. It means so much to me to see families like mine represented in children’s literature, and I wish I had this book when I was a kid. —Eli

ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH.

Caldecott Honoree LeUyen Pham shows us all the ways people continued to love, learn, and grow while social distancing during the pandemic. Through emotive illustrations and approachable text, Pham explores both the hope and the hardship of sheltering in place, and shows the important work done by essential workers like doctors and grocers. Gentle yet honest, this is the perfect book for families and classrooms looking for a story to discuss the pandemic with children of all ages. —Molly

The opening line “Zonia lives with those she loves in the rain forest” whispers a simple definition of family and home that permeates this story. During her morning check-ins with the animals, Zonia discovers a clearcut patch. Zonia not only springs into action but implores us all to take responsibility for safeguarding this precious land. Martinez-Neal’s deeply textured paintings on banana-bark paper beckon us, and endnotes introduce us to the Asháninka people, the largest indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon. —Michelle

I raced through this, so anxious to know the fate of Chris Naylor-Ballesteros’s beetle narrator and their red friend—and then had to go back to linger over the art and moments making up their story. A deceptively simple book with a huge emotional impact, its brief pages navigate friendship, courage, change, and the joy that finds you when you let it. This is one of those books you will read again and again, and it only gets better with age. —Jocelyn

Beloved author-illustrator and three-time Caldecott medalist Kevin Henkes continues to delight readers with his masterful ability to take a few words and a few shapes and create an utterly wonderful story. Young and old readers alike will find this book charming and discover something new each time they read it. This is a book children will request again and again—and that adults won’t tire of reading! — Kathy

Julián is going to a wedding! At this “party for love,” Julián makes a new friend, Marisol, and discovers a fairy house in a willow tree. The stunning closing spread shows Julián and Marisol snoozing under Abuela’s shawl while the beautiful brides dance in the background. In this follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid, Jessica Love treats us to a wonderland of florals, lace, and pastel finery. Those who adored the Julián picture book debut are sure to enjoy this fanciful romp. — Molly

This picture book, loosely based on Jillian Tamaki’s experience working in a community kitchen in Brooklyn, does not disappoint. It's a magnificent snapshot of a diverse cast coming together one night a week to cook and share a meal. Tamaki uses every inch of the paper and meshes her signature style with charming, rhyming prose. In a world of rough individualism, this is the perfect addition to any child’s library to promote an invaluable sense of community. — MJ

This book utterly charmed me! Denos’s story and art are nothing short of magical. I loved Eridani and Acamar’s long-distance, interstellar friendship, as well as their sheer delight when they swap places (if you’re a dog lover like me, look for star-boy Acamar hugging Eridani’s dog—I WEEP). The ethereal, whimsical art makes this story magic in book form. Perfect for any reader with stars in their eyes and a longing for adventure in their heart (and don’t miss the author’s note!)! — Stephanie

A young immigrant girl arrives in the home of her aunt and uncle in the States, where everything she experiences, including the language, is unfamiliar. Bereft of her culture and homeland, the girl listens as her aunt recounts a Persian folktale about a king who felt he had no room for foreigners until one of them offered sugar for the king’s milk. The story changes the girl’s perspective as she realizes that kindness toward others changes everything. A beautiful book! — Noreen

This #OwnVoices story immediately made me smile, with its depiction of a lovely family finding a solution for their trans daughter’s need to feel like herself. Twink’s vibrant illustrations partner perfectly with the Neals’s prose, welcoming us into the household’s warm embrace by giving us an immediate sense of connection to the family’s kids and their adorable pet pig. Perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good family story and a reminder to kids about how good it can feel to be themselves. — Jocelyn