New Picture Books for Children

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The great philosopher, Dr. Seuss, once wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” In honor of his wise words, I present to you my list of the best, most impressive, newly published picture books that you’ll love for bedtime stories. I love and recommend them all!

Book descriptions provided by the publisher . . .

Picture Books

bedtime stories

Doodleday by Ross Collins
One of our favorite books of all time! SOOOO clever and funny!

Mom has just one thing to tell Harvey on Doodleday-no drawing allowed! But surely drawing one little fly can’t hurt. Not until Harvey’s fly comes to life and starts to wreck the kitchen, that is! What can Harvey draw that will catch it? A spider! But the spider proves to be even more trouble. Only one thing is capable of stopping Harvey’s rampaging doodles… Mom!

bedtime stories

You’re Mean, Lily Jean! by Frieda Wishinsky
This book is excellent!!

Carly always played with her big sister, Sandy. They played dragons and knights. They played explorers and pirates. They played mountain climbers and astronauts. Then Lily Jean moved in next door. Carly and Sandy are happy to have a new friend join their games. But Lily Jean changes everything. She decides they’ll play house and orders Carly to be the baby. When they play king and queen, she tells Carly to bark–King Lily Jean demands a royal dog! Tired of being bossed around, Carly comes up with a way to teach Lily a lesson. With Sandy’s help, can she turn a bully into a friend?

bedtime stories

Hello Goodbye and a Very Little Lie by Christianne C. Jones
Another all time favorite book — with amazing illustrations!!

Larry lies about everything. Find out what he does when he gets caught in one of his lies.

bedtime stories

Millicent and Meer by Richard Byrne
A fantastic story!

Millicent is a little girl who has always wanted a cat. One day, as she is playing outside, a large shipping box falls from somewhere and lands right beside her. She peers inside and finds a strange looking but very friendly little animal. Better yet, the box’s label says “Meerkat.” Millicent cries out with joy. “Yippee! You’re a cat and your name is Meer. You can be MY cat!” She takes Meer into the house, but it isn’t long before both she and her Dad discover that Meer doesn’t act very much like a cat. In fact, he creates a lot of mischief. Meer can’t stay in the house any longer until he learns how to act like a cat. Just when Meer is feeling very sad and completely alone, he meets Marvin, a real cat.

bedtime stories

Fairly Fairy Tales by Esme Raji Codell
Another favorite bedtime read – it’s hilarious!

Gifted writer and educator Esme Raji Codell has written a book that incorporates fractured fairy tales with this kind of parent-child interplay to create a pitch-perfect combination of bedtime read-aloud and fairytales that will delight children and parents!

bedtime stories

You’re Finally Here by Melanie Watt

Silly, silly, silly! A bedtime story to read over and over again!

A bunny bounces through a range of emotions in this funny picture book about how difficult it is to wait. At first he’s ecstatic that you, the reader, has arrived. But then he can’t help letting you know that waiting for you took too long, was way too boring, and even became insulting. The bunny is ready to forgive everything if you will promise to stay. But hold on–he has to take a phone call. Wait!  Come back! Where are you going?

bedtime stories

Bear With Me by Max Kornell
Everything in Owen’s world is just peachy-till his parents bring home a bear named Gary-without even asking! Gary changes everything: he takes up way too much space and makes a mess of all of Owen’s toys. Gary means well, though, and eventually, Owen starts to see that there are some good things about having a bear in the family.

bedtime stories

Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb
Gorgeous illustrations in this picture book of a traditional story!

bedtime stories

Tallulah’s Tutu by Marilyn Singer
Tallulah just knew she could be a great ballerina, if only she had a tutu. So she starts ballet class. When she does not receive a tutu, she quits. But everywhere she goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighbor’s basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect ronds de jambe. And Tallulah can’t seem to stop doing ballet, either. A park bench makes a perfect barre, and what better way to pet the dog than with a graceful plié?

bedtime stories

The Best Birthday Ever by Me (Lana Kittie) by Charise Mericle Harper

Lana Kittie, the irrepressible little sister of everyone’s favorite, best-dressed heroine, Fashion Kitty, covers all the details leading up to the best birthday ever! Loaded with charm, personality and practical advice, How to Have the Best Birthday Ever shows us how to make that special day count–all year long.

bedtime stories

Where is Strawberry Moshi?

Welcome to Moshi Town, where Strawberry Moshi is looking for her sweetheart, Super Moshi. Finding him is not so simple, though — you have to locate Strawberry Moshi first! Moshis love dressing up, and Moshi Town is a wonderland full of every type of Moshi in every type of costume, from Rainbow Moshis to Angel Moshis. So be prepared to engage in some eagle-eyed scrutiny! A sort of Where’s Waldo? for the younger crowd — presented in a distinctive kawaii (cute and kitschy) Japanese style.

bedtime stories

Perfect Square by Michael Hall

A perfect square is transformed in this adventure bedtime story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square picture book.

bedtime stories

Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith

“Seed by seed, we plant the wild meadow garden wind and water, birds and animals, plants and people all of us together.”

In this lyrical picture book, author Kathryn O. Galbraith explains the many ways in which seeds are spread and planted.

bedtime stories

Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb

What do you send your alien pen pal Clunk to make it clear you do not want an alien pen pal? You send him your big sister. That’ll teach Clunk to have a pen pal from Earth-or so our intrepid narrator thinks. But then Clunk sends him a Zoid, an exasperating Zoid that follows him everywhere. After swapping dirty socks, three Forps, some old lasagna, a weird glob, and a string of Christmas lights, our hero seems to be having . . . could it be . . . fun? But then: Clunk stops sending stuff. Oh no! Earth to Clunk . . . ? Is he too busy being bossed around by our hero’s big sister? Will her ever send another package again? Maybe-or maybe not. More hilarious surprises await!

bedtime stories

The Rainbow Book by Kate Ohrt

A whole rainbow of feelings, combined with beautiful cut-paper pages make the perfect gift bookl.

Emotions are as bright and unique as rainbows. The Rainbow Book explores the relationship between colors and sentiments they might inspire. Does yellow suggest happiness? Is blue peaceful? Set against a deep black background, each page reveals an intricate paper-cutting in a single color and the emotion it suggests: “When I feel RED, I am fiery and bold.” A lovely and peaceful bedtime story.

Bunny’s Lessons by Harriet Ziefert

Bunny, Charlie’s favorite toy, learns about life from the boy who takes him everywhere. When Charlie plays the tuba, Bunny learns about LOUD; when they play doctor, Bunny learns about OUCH; when they eat dinner, Bunny learns about MESSY.

Harriet Ziefert and Barroux charmingly tell the tale of the relationship between an inseparable and irresistible pair who learn about the delights (along with the bumps and bruises) of friendship and love.

Which of these books have you read? And, which do you want to read?

More Books to Love:

Funny Children’s Picture Books

Funny Chapter Books for Kids 

Shapes for Kids

Book Bags

Sleep Stories

Ocean Animals

Best Baby Books

Literati Book Subscription Box

Read Aloud Books for Kids 

Christmas Books for Kids

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11 Comments

  1. Those are great, today i just downloaded this new book for my daughter called A rabbit named rufis, lol it is so cute it was made by a 7 year old pictures and everything, now my daughter won’t put it down…haha

  2. It’s interesting to see a list like this, but it would be even MORE interesting if you said a little something about each book–just a paragraph or so–so we would know why a particular book is on the list.