50+ Best Picture Books of 2023

Too Much: An Overwhelming Day written by Jolene Gutierrez, illustrated by Angel Chang
SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER
Illustrated with evocative, colorful illustrations, this beautiful rhyming first-person story about SPD shares a little girl’s feelings of overwhelm when the world gives her too much sensory input. Too much sound, light, and physical sensation on her skin. “TOO LOUD! TOO BRIGHT! TOO ITCHY! TOO TIGHT!” After school, the girl’s mom gives her a sheet-hug. Then, the girl spends quiet time in a dark place, which calms her nervous system. Back matter shares information about sensory overload, sensory systems, and how to create a sensory diet. This is the BEST picture book about sensory issues I’ve ever read — probably because not only is Jolene a gifted writer, but she also has personal experience with it.

Dear Stray written by Kirsten Hubbard, illustrated by Susan Gal
KNOWING SELF / BIG FEELINGS
Written in letters to her newly adopted kitten, a little girl explains that she can relate to the prickly, scratchy stray kitten full of fury. Although, she admits that she imagined more purring and less scratching. As the little girl goes through the ups and downs of her emotions and her cat’s emotions, she realizes that she and her fierce little tiger need each other. The art is vivid and evocative with a bold black, blue, and yellow color palatte. This is more than a simple book about a cat, this is a tenderhearted social-emotional story about understanding yourself and your big feelings. Absolutely lovely.

Grief Is an Elephant written by Tamara Ellis Smith, illustrated by Nancy Whitesides
GRIEF
Anyone who has experienced grief will immediately relate to ALL of the metaphors in this exceptional and emotional picture book. “Sometimes Grief is an elephant…It’s hard to breathe under all that Grief.” Push her with your hands. Lean into her. Run! Other times, Grief is a deer with too-tall ears or a fox with soft small feet who settles in for a nap. When she leaves, you know she’ll come again.” The writer captures the essence of grief perfectly in all its soft, big, quiet, loud coming and going ways. This book is a masterpiece. And can we talk about these gorgeous illustrations, which are also perfect with their soft, muted colors?! I love this book so much.

A Walk in the Woods written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brain Pinkney
GRIEF, NATURE
After his dad dies, the boy finds a treasure map of the woods from his dad. In the woods, he notices the soft bird songs, a stairway of mushrooms, and the hurt lessening with each step. He remembers being in the woods with his dad. The map leads him to a brick fireplace with a rusty metal box. Inside are sketches and poems from his dad when he was a kid, plus an invitation to finish the stories and to draw and write his own. The boy breathes in the river-scented air and wanders home, grateful.
**Read an interview with Nikki about the creation of this book.

Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious Guide by Abi Cushman
ANIMALS
A delightfully adorable book about wombats! Abi’s done it again with funny fictional dialogue, the right amount of valuable informational text, and charming illustrations. Oh, and there’s cube-shaped poop–which is pretty weird but also, as the book says, quite wonderful.

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
FEELINGS
This beautiful book seemingly starts as a book about seeing things with your five senses, but it blossoms into a rich, kid-friendly exploration of feelings — and how noticing our invisible feelings makes for a wonderful life. The creators talk about moods and feelings kids might not know like nostalgia, the heeebie-jeebies, and the blues. The feelings chart is lovely and includes the blahs, empathy, worries, guts, hope, and more. I love the creators’ clever ideas that will spark more curiosity about invisible feelings and other invisible things. This is new read aloud favorite!

How to Count to 1 by Casper Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt
FUNNY
Can you count to 1? And no higher? Silly illustrations and humorous writing will surprise and engage growing mathematicians as they follow the directions and count to ONE. One worm in disguise, one giraffe (among other African animals,) one duck rollerblading, and well, you get the idea– ONE! What’s even better is that the illustrations often mislead you to think you might be counting higher. Except– you are not. Brilliant!

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish: What Magic Lies Beneath? by Chloe Savage
SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION / ARCTIC ANIMALS
Informative and funny, this picture book belongs on your bookshelves because your readers will love every bit of it. Dr. Morley and her crew search for the elusive Arctic Jellyfish. As they do, they encounter many other arctic creatures, which helps readers learn about those creatures — belugas, narwhals, and orcas. But the crew never sees the Jellyfish. The fun part is that WE SEE THE JELLYFISH! The illustrator shows the jellyfish in scenes where the scientist and her crew are searching. This is a delightful hide-and-seek romp in the Arctic with a playful jellyfish as the special star.

Here I Can Be Mindful by Ally Condie, illustrated by Jaime Kim
MINDFULNESS
100% perfect book about feeling many feelings at once, being mindful, and staying present to what’s happening HERE. Especially with anxiety. When the feelings get stuck, Here reminds us all to be grounded in the present moment…to feel (feet on the ground) to taste (a crisp apple, a warm cookie) to look (close…so close) to hear (the wind, a breath) to smell (the rain, the air) to run and jump and draw and write… and “to know that I am here.” It’s a brilliant picture book that reminds us to ground ourselves in our bodies…with specific, practical mindfulness practices that work, starting with our senses. I LOVE this book more than I can say…

Cape by Kevin Johnson, illustrated by Kitt Thomas
GRIEF
A little boy puts on his bright red cape and follows the crowd where they gather at the gravesite, then back to the house with no smiles. The boy doesn’t want to listen or to remember, but suddenly, the memories explode, and he remembers… He remembers his dad. He remembers his dad’s laugh and the fun they had. And the boy tells his dad that he will never forget him. This sweet boy’s grief journey is exceptionally told with a brilliant arc showing how he feels both heartbreak and joy. I cried every time I read this story! ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2023!

The Courage of the Little Hummingbird by Leah Henderson, illustrated by Magaly Morales 
FOLKTALE
When a fire comes to the animal’s home, they escape across the river to watch. Except for the hummingbird. She doesn’t want to watch, she wants to help. Despite her friends telling her it’s not going to help, she carries one drop of water at a time to the fire, hoping to put it out. Her actions inspire the others and they all begin to fight the fire. It’s a powerful message about making a difference and working together.

Kitty & Cat Opposites Attract by Mirka Hokkanen
OPPOSITES
This charming opposites concept book tells the story in opposite words and illustrations of an old, grumpy cat and his interactions with the young, energetic kitten. In a sweet character arc, the old cat begins to care for the young kitty…playing, eating, and sleeping together. Darling!

Friends Beyond Measure: A Story Told with Infographics by Lalena Fisher
FRIENDSHIP / MATH
Ana and Harwin are the best of friends. They have adventures, disagreements, agreements, and silly fun. But when one friend is moving away, the other friend feels lots of feelings. They plan this year and the next year to stay friends and be in touch. The warm-hearted story is illustrated with amazing infographics, including a line graph, charts, maps, a Venn diagram, and other infographics that add so much extra playfulness and learning to the story. I love it.

Make Way for Butterfly written and illustrated by Ross Burach
POLLINATION / BEING YOURSELF
In this third book, our hilarious main character The Very Impatient Caterpillar, who is now Butterfly, questions a passing bee all about pollinating…and learns that he is a pollinator, too. As he learns about pollination and bees, Butterfly decides to be the BEST pollinator, just like a bee. His attempts don’t go well until Bee helps Butterfly see the important contributions of butterflies. So Butterfly decides to be himself and spread pollen far, far away. Something a bee can’t do. “Just be a butterfly. Just be a butterfly.” Sneakily educational about pollinators yet packed in a delightful story about being yourself.

Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson, illustrated by Rachel Mas Davidson
FEELINGS
I love this book because it shows that feelings like sadness are OKAY and don’t need to be FIXED. In this tender story of friendship and feelings, Bear feels sad, a heavy kind of sad. Rabbit tries to fix Bear with jokes, happy thoughts, and five steps from an internet article. It doesn’t work, and they don’t go fishing. But they do sit together quietly. And THAT is what makes Bear feel better. Having his friend close without trying to fix him!!! YESSSSS!

How Dinosaurs Went Extinct A Safety Guide by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Jennifer Harney
DINOSAURS / FUNNY
Ready for the cautionary tale of all cautionary tales? At the science museum, the child’s dad explains that the dinosaurs went extinct because they behaved badly –they ran with scissors, jumped on the bed, scratched their bug bites, didn’t wear a helmet, pick their nose…you get the idea. The text is hilarious. The illustrations are, too. Read this uproarious new theory of dinosaur extinction — and see if it makes your wild children behave perfectly, just like the little girl in the book!

Paula’s Patches written by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Medoza
EMPATHY
Paula’s pants rip, which makes her feel embarrassed and worried because it will be a while before she gets more hand-me-downs. When she gets an idea from her friend who makes quilts, she use her mami’s scraps of material to make patches, not just for her but for everyone in her class! Paula shows her classmates that the patches are like stickers for jackets and bags or bandages to cover tears or stains. And her classmates love it! I love this kindness and empathy-building story that will inspire readers to treat themselves and others with more understanding and gentle compassion.

Rivka’s Presents written by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Adelina Lirius
HISTORICAL FICTION / JEWISH MAIN CHARACTER
In this historical fiction picture book, Rivka advocates for her own learning of letters and numbers, reading, and addition, but since she can’t go to school because her papa is sick with a long-term flu, Rivka asks local shopkeepers to be her teachers. In return, she works at their shops. When her papa is no longer sick, Rivka is reading and able to go to school for more learning. This is a warm-hearted story about education, community, and family.

Carina Felina written by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Henry Cole
FOLKTALE
In this rollicking, rhyming Cuban cumulative folktale, a parrot falls in love with a cat named Carina Felina-– and that starts all the trouble. Carina Felina warns the parrot, “I’m Carina Felina! I do what I like and I eat what I wish. Step out of my way, or be my next dish!” The parrot doesn’t comply…so Carina Felina eats him! Back outside in the market, the cat chants the same arrogant warning before eating one creature after another starting with the florista and then the carretero and his ox, the chivo and his boy, and the novios and his boy. Fed up, the crabs teach Carina Felina a lesson and Carina Felina learns to be a pickier eater! What a fun read aloud romp!

If You Get Lost written by Nikki Loftin, illustrated by Deborah Marcero
LOST / FRIENDSHIP
A little girl loses her stuffed bunny out the car window. She tells the bunny to look around and try to find one smile, one friend. The AMAZING illustrations show the bunny making friends with a fox and playing with the forest animals until the little girl finds the bunny again. Lyrical with simple text, this is a beautiful story told primarily through the evocative artwork — I love it.

A Bucket of Questions by Tim Fita
FUNNY
Absurdly hilarious questions and answers! Especially for your kids who love to be silly! Let me give you an example, “What is at the bottom of the ocean? a. Water b. More water c. Diamond Fish d. A Mermaid BBQ.” Why are the comic illustrations only in black and white? I’m guessing that because all the colors are sleeping. What will you guess? We love the illustrations in this story, too.

The Book From Far Away written by Bruce Handy, illustrated by Julie Benbassat
WORDLESS
Exquisite illustrations tell a story about a child who sees a family of aliens having a picnic. When the family leaves an object behind, the child picks it up. Then, he meets one of the aliens. The child plays with his new friend and shows him Earth objects, giving him a book. When it’s time to say goodbye, both the child and the alien go home with something from each other. Lovely.

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior written by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George
ACTIVISM / INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
Water narrates this tribute about the 7th generation of Indigenous Anishinaabe women who fight like Grandma Josephine to protect the water, specifically activist Autumn Peltier, who speaks for the water. Vivid, saturated illustrations and strong, lyrical language.

One Perfect Plan written by Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrated by Alina Chau
CHRISTIAN BIBLE STORIES
What a lovely book! Gorgeous illustrations from Alina Chau and beautiful writing from Nancy Tupper LIng celebrate the beauty of a broken world through the stories of the Bible. One and sometimes two repeats throughout, giving the poems a cohesiveness that feels exciting. One couple prays for a child to love, one cry to God for freedom, one stone from David’s sling, leading us to one empty tomb, one Holy Spirit, and one heaven on earth. Beautiful in every way.

How This Book Got Red written by Margaret Ghiu Greanias, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
REPRESENTATION
Two friends — a giant panda and a red panda — look through a book about pandas. But there are NO red pandas in the panda book! So, the red panda writes her own book which a group of other red pandas find in the trash and love it! Red continues writing her story so that other red pandas can see themselves in a book. And maybe be inspired to write their own. This is a relatable story that shares an important message about (lack of) representation.

Mae and Gerty and the Matter with Matter written by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Erica Salcedo
SCIENCE: MATTER
I loved this clever introduction to matter and science using the baby sister’s antics and first word, “madda.” When little sister Gerty shouts “Madda” while popping Mae’s bubbles, Dad praises her for getting all three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Frustrated at all the attention Gerty is getting, older sister Gerty decides she can ask questions, make messes, and try stuff out with her little sister. So they do!

A Stone is a Story written by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Mare Martin
GEOLOGY
What a beautiful ode to stones and their many properties and likely backstories crushed, squeezed, transformed, whittled by ice, and scraped! With lovely muted watercolor illustrations, this gorgeous book feels gentle and instructive. The book ends with an invitation. The next time you pick up a stone, ask if it was part of lava, sand, or bone, and imagine all that it might become.

Holy Night and Little Star written by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Khoa Le
CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS BOOK
With gorgeous illustrations and evocative language, this is the story of Little Star who is reluctant to help Maker with something exciting. But Maker asks her to be ready. When it’s time, she comforts Baby Maker when he is crying. Then she stays night after night, shining and shimmering in the sky, soothing Baby and watching the special visitors arrive.

Connor Kissed Me written by Zehava, illustrated by Sarah K. Turner
CONSENT
When Connor plants a kiss on Miriam, she’s surprised and shocked. She tells one adult after another, but their reactions are not helpful (we’ll move your seat, go play somewhere else, puppy love) until her mother asks, “Did you want him to?” And, no, Miriam didn’t want him to kiss her! So, her mother encourages her to say that to Connor. In reverse order, she tells the adults and finally tells Connor clearly: “I don’t want you to kiss me.” Not only is this a helpful book to introduce consent, but it’s also a reminder to adults to support a child’s boundaries and body safety with actionable answers. ANOTHER BEST BOOKS OF 2023!

Eclipse by Andy Rash
TIME / ECLIPSE
Written in a countdown parallel structure with three different verb tenses starting with future, then present, and then past, a boy plans to see an eclipse using time words like month, days, hour minutes, and then, they arrive at the spot to see the Sun disappear behind the Moon. Then, the boy and his father return home and try to remember the eclipse they saw. Kids will love the amazing digital illustrations.