What’s NEW in Picture Books
Reading picture books with your child helps them build vocabulary and allows them to associate new words to the pictures they see. New readers are exposed to vocabulary that is beyond their reading level, helping with word recognition as their skills develop. Picture books also work to foster conversation about the world around us, helping children put feelings and experiences into context. All of that, and they can be fun too! Put some on hold today!!
By Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
It’s time for a nap but, just like stubborn toddlers everywhere, Annalise Devin McFleece won’t have anything to do with bedtime. Her weary father pushes her through town in a stroller, hoping it will lull her to sleep. The two discover that the townspeople, one by one, are more than happy to “take” Annalise’s nap in her stead. Everyone stops in their tracks to get some shut-eye while Annalise is “the only one in the whole wide sleepy world who would not fall asleep.” When she’s finally ready to, she can’t; “all the naps had already been taken!”
Written and illustrated by Mies van Hout
Bold, colorful paintings invite the youngest children to count from one belly on a bear up to ten whiskers on a kitten. The eye-catching color, sturdy construction, and friendly content make this Dutch import a solid choice for toddlers. A final spread includes activities for caregivers to further develop a child’s early literacy and numeracy. Copyright 2020 Horn Book Guide Reviews.
Written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Laurie Keller
Poor Pluto! He’s expecting a party invitation, but the phone call turns out to be news that he is no longer a planet. Heartbroken, he nevertheless graciously continues his informative tour of the solar system, explaining to readers about his own location in the Kuiper Belt, Uranus’ sideways alignment, Saturn’s amazing rings, and Mars’ collection of robots, among other details. Told entirely in speech balloons, this is a hybrid fiction-nonfiction title that works. Solar system facts are easily distinguishable from the entertaining chatter, and the anthropomorphized planets are certainly memorable. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
Authors: Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan; illustrated by JT Morrow When Mama Llama says it is time to clean up, Llama ignores her since he is more interested in playing than cleaning, but Mama finds an imaginative way to teach Llama a lesson about cleanliness.
Written and illustrated by Corey R Tabor
Determined to make his way to a plump, crisp cabbage across the road, Snail risks speeding cars and hungry crows during a long and slow journey, before getting lost while helping a crew of ants escape a rainstorm.
Written by Ben Gundersheimer and illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivera
Illustrations and easy-to-read text in English and Spanish follow monarch butterflies on their journey from Canada to Mexico. Includes author’s note on how to help protect monarch butterflies.
Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Judy Horacek
Siblings Bonnie and Ben impress Skinny Doug with their ability to recite nursery rhymes in this book by the author of Roly Poly and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Wonderful introduction to classic nursery rhymes.
The Proudest Blue: a story of hijab and family
Written by Ibtihaj Muhammad and illustrated by SK Ali
The first day of school is also the first day of hijab for little Faizah’s sixth-grade sister, Asiya, who selects a beautiful shade of blue to wear. Faizah sees her sister as a princess, but not everyone shares her perspective. From Booklist Reviews
Written and illustrated by David Soman
A child’s solitary day at the playground turns into a park-wide adventure as he learns how to play with nine new friends.
Written by Matthew A Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
A little girl’s daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.
Written by Jory John and illustrated by Peter Oswald
Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool. And then there’s the uncool has-bean … Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd–until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done. Great for families who loved The Bad Seed by the same author (read that next if you haven’t picked it up yet!)
Parker Looks Up: an extraordinary moment
Co-authors Parker and Jessica Curry; illustrated by Bea Jackson
This book is based on the viral photograph of African American toddler Parker Curry, who, during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, became mesmerized by Amy Sherald’s portrait of Michelle Obama, who she thought was a queen. One rainy afternoon, Parker’s mother (co-author Jessica Curry) makes the suggestion that they visit the museum, little sister Ava in tow. At the museum, they see Parker’s friend Gia and her mother. The three girls dance through the halls of the museum noticing horses, flowers, and feathers in the famous works of art. Just before they leave, Parker notices the portrait of Michelle Obama, stops in her tracks, and that viral photographic moment is born. From Kirkus Reviews
Written and illustrated by Ryan T Higgins
Grumpy Bruce the bear does not like neighbors, but is forced to help when a big storm draws them all to his home.
Written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Most marshmallows like to watch television and lead normal lives–but some marshmallows dream of greater things.
The Button Book
Written by Sally Nichols and illustrated by Bethan Woollvin
Follow a group of animal friends as they discover a collection of mysterious buttons, all of which do different things! From a blue singing button to a purple tickle button, from a rude sound button to a mysterious white button, there’s only one way to find out what they do: press them all! And thankfully, there’s even a sleeping button to lull the animals to sleep after a busy day. A lively introduction to colors and shapes.