We are on a mission to find the best picture books ever published!

Amos & Boris
written and illustrated by William Steig
A beautiful story of a friendship between a whale and a mouse which illustrates perfectly that not only do you not have to be the same as someone to be friends but also that the impact of an experience together can foster an unbelievable, lasting bond.

The Arrival
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
This book brought me to tears. No words, but with illustrations so brutally touching, who needs words? This is essentially an immigrant tale; a tale of the strength of character and overcoming fears for the sake of one’s family. It’s stunning.  

The Bus Ride
written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
This is best, sweetest possible story about the first time taking the bus alone. Sharing cookies with a friendly wolf and checking in with a sleepy sloth sound so much better than my first bus ride. Marianne Dubuc has a magical way of conveying a really special innocence in her stories and illustrations. If you haven’t had a chance to check out any of her work, I would start with The Bus Ride or The Lion and the Bird.

The Dark
written by Lemony Snicket
illustrated by Jon Klassen
This book follows Laszlo, a little boy who is afraid of the dark. In this beautifully illustrated book, Laszlo begins to investigate the dark and learns that, perhaps, it’s not quite so frightening.

Empty Fridge
written and illustrated by Gaetan Doremus
This is a beautifully dynamic visual story about sharing. Perhaps you feel like you have too little to make a difference. Read this book. It may change your mind.

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat
written by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
What is it about food that creates a connection between people that would otherwise probably have no commonalities? Somehow taste buds and olfactory senses have a remarkable ability to unite us, even if we have nothing else in common. Part history lesson, part cookbook, part picture book, A Fine Dessert takes us on four century-long journey of one dessert, the preparation techniques of which have evolved over time, but whose ultimate result of connecting the people lucky enough to feast on it haven’t changed.

Have you Seen Elephant?
written and illustrated by David Barrow
I love a good story about an unlikely hero, or about an elephant who is surprisingly good at hide and seek.

Henry series
written and illustrated by D.B. Johnson
I’m embarrassed to say that before stumbling upon this series, I had only known Henry David Thoreau as the author of Walden, in which I had no particular interest. D.B. Johnson’s work had precisely its intended effect on me – it made me want to explore Thoreau’s life and work. This series of cubist picture books about a bear named Henry portrays different events and concepts in Thoreau’s life and work. It’s very interesting and works on many levels. My three-year-old is a big fan of all of the Henry books and I am still grappling with the brilliance of Henry Climbed a Mountain, which depicts Henry being sent to jail for not paying his taxes to a slave-owning state. Besides all of that, the series is beautifully illustrated in a style all too rare for young children’s literature.   

A House in the Woods
written and illustrated by Inga Moore
How many stories have you heard about someone leaving their home for whatever reason only to come back and find someone else living in there Goldilocks-style? That’s a relatively common story. Now, how many times have you heard the story of someone coming back to their home,  finding it in shambles with the perpetrator still inside, but instead of having a negative reaction, the “people” decide that they should just go ahead and make a space where they can happily live together? If only everyone solved their problems in this manner, the world would be a much happier place. 

I Have a Little Problem Said the Bear
written by Heinz Janisch
illustrated by Silke Leffler
I have always been a fan of mixed media artwork. On that note, I Have a Little Problem captured my attention immediately. It’s a beautiful work of art. But the story is equally engaging. It’s a story about the importance of listening – truly listening – to someone rather than just attempting to solve their problem. It’s also a reminder that what one is looking for is sometimes found in the least likely circumstance.

In Our Mothers’ House
written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
This is a beautiful story of familial nostalgia sprinkled with anecdotes of holidays, tree houses, drawn-on walls, and arrivals of siblings. It is a story of love and acceptance. It is a beautiful story of community. It’s precisely what we need right now.

Last Stop on Market Street
written by Matt de la Pena
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
A beautiful story of finding the positive in all circumstances. A true gem. “Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt, you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful.”

Leonardo the Terrible Monster
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Leonardo, a monster unable to frighten anyone is in distress. He persistently attempts to carry out his monsterly duties but keeps failing, until he finds a nervous little boy to scare. Will he succeed?

The Lines on Nana’s Face
written and illustrated by Simona Ciraolo
On the day of Nana’s birthday, her granddaughter asks about the lines on her face. Nana recounts how each wrinkle emerged with a particular experience in her life. Beautiful nostalgia. If you enjoy this book, also check out Ciraolo’s What Happened to my Sister? about a little sister who attempts to uncover what is happening to her older sister as she grows.

Little Fox in the Forest
created by Stephanie Graegin
A million times over I have thought that I am not a fan of wordless picture books. A million times over, my kids and I have found amazingly touching wordless books full charming characters and intriguing plots that prove me wrong about the genre. Little Fox in the Forest is such an example. The use of deliberate color and black and white to tell the story is just awe-inspiring.

Little Tree
written and illustrated by Loren Long
There’s something about picture books that are written and illustrated by one person that just seem to work very well. The vision between words and illustrations are seldom muddied and the ideas of the creator come across fluidly. Such is the case with Loren Long’s work. Little Tree is a heartfelt book about letting go. Like many great children’s books, it works on many levels – both children and adults will be able to relate to its message.  

Madame Martine
written and illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen
<style=”text-align: right;”>Sometimes, you don’t know what you’re missing until an unexpected friend shows you the way.

Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess
written and illustrated by Janet Hill
Beautiful illustrations, life advice, and dogs riding bicycles. What more could you ask for?  

Mix it Up
written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
This is perhaps the coolest book about color that you will encounter. My children love the interactive nature of it. The book guides the reader in rubbing the pages, mixing colors together, etc. Not only does it teach the results of mixing colors, but it’s also inspirational for actually trying out the “clean” techniques you use in the books with actual paint. It’s a lot of fun. If you enjoy Mix it Up, also check out Hervé Tullet’s Press Here.

Rain!
written and illustrated by Linda Ashman
Attitude is everything. Rain! offers a perfect example of this. We are introduced to a grumpy old man and a vivacious little boy who wake up in the same city to rainy weather. Their opposite reactions to the weather create waves of negative and positive moods, respectively, to everyone around them. The illustrations are wonderful, the message is even better.

The Right Word – Roget and his Thesaurus
written by Jen Bryant
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Admittedly, I like this book more than my kids do. It’s geared towards ages 7 and up. If you want to read an artistically appealing picture book, this is it.

Sidewalk Flowers
created by Jon Arno Larson and Sydney Smith
A wordless book about a little girl out on a walk with her distracted father.

The Skunk
written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
A classic tale of a man being pursued by a skunk. Enough said.

A Spree in Paree
written and illustrated by Catherine Stock
You know how when you’re a farmer in a pastoral part of France and decide to take all your farm animals to visit the famous sites in Paris for the first time? It’s like that.

Stella and Sam series
written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
<style=”text-align: right;”>This is a charming book series is about a sister, brother, and their dog and their fanciful everyday experiences. It truly feels like someone was writing about my own kids. The book series was recently turned into a cartoon series, but the sweetness just doesn’t transfer on screen.