11 Beautiful New Picture Books, January 2025

The Interpreter written by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
BILINGUALISM / TRANSLATION
I love this beautiful story about a helpful daughter who keeps very busy translating other people’s words until finds her own words and boundaries. Cecelia has two jobs…and her second job is special but it’s a lot of work. What is it? She gets to translate English to Spanish for her parents! But her second job doesn’t leave much time for her to play with friends. So finally she blurts out ALL of her feelings at once to her parents. Luckily, her parents understand and realize that Cecelia is right.

Dear Duck, Please Come! written by Sarah Mackenzie, illustrated by Charles Santoso
LOST TOOTH
Rabbit loses a tooth and invites Duck to come visit. Duck is worried– where could the lost tooth be?Along the journey to Rabbit’s, Duck searches for the missing tooth, and enlists other woodland creatures’ help, too. But no one finds Rabbit’s lost tooth! What will happen when they arrive at Duck’s house? But no one finds the lost tooth! What will happen when they arrive at Duck’s house without the tooth? This is a sweet, relatable story of misunderstanding with charming woodland creatures trying to be helpful.

This Sheep Needs Your Help written and illustrated by David LaRochelle and YOU
INTERACTIVE DRAWING ADVENTURE
I LOVE THIS BOOK! Kids will, too. Readers get to help Sheep return to his flock using their drawing skills and the attached dry-erase marker. First, the Sheep asks readers to draw a boat to cross the lake, then help with skis and warm clothes for the next, snowy setting, and after that, a big flower to distract a bee. But there are more adventures and drawings on each subsequent page. Eventually, you will help Sheep’s return home AND become an honorary Sheep! HOW CUTE IS THIS?!

This Pirate Needs Your Help! written and illustrated by David Larochelle and YOU
INTERACTIVE DRAWING ADVENTURE / PRESCHOOL
Like the Sheep adventure above, help a prate and his parrot avoid hungry sharks, navigate through rocks in the sea, and even adding tattoos to the pirate’s tummy. Delightful!

Smelly Peggy written and illustrated by Helen Stephens
RESCUE DOG
The little girl shares the many ways her rescue dog Peggy is naughty. In fact, just when you think you’ve heard the worst, the Peggy naughty stories grow in their dramatic naughtiness. From early morning licks to butt in sleeping faces to eating poop and shaking water all over everyone, this dog seems naughty but even after all this, the girl clearly adores her dog Peggy. And after all, no one is perfect. A funny yet sweet tribute to a furry best friend.

The Greedy Wolf written by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Jean Jullian
HUMOR / FABLE
Once there was a greedy wolf who decided to take advantage of Mama Goat’s absence. He knocks on the goat’s door and told the kids he was the babysitter. But the goats aren’t scared. They are too busy cooking. They stuff Wolf full of food. Before long the mama gets home. And in a surprising and funny twist, Mama explains that she was searching the store for their favorite food. Can you guess what it was?

Are You a Hungry Monster? written and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
META / PRESCHOOL / FUNNY
Just as hilarious as the first book in the series, this funny book is narrated by a monster who wants to share his sandwich with you. (How nice, right?!) The monster is surprised you don’t want a bite. After all, it’s got yummy old socks, earwax, snot, and an old shoe in it. (Too bad you don’t want it…) But then something surprising happens to the monster– a rumbly tummy with some SERIOUS gas problems. Which will make you laugh even harder than before! (Because potty humor is always funny.)

Wild Greens, Beautiful Girl written by Erica Lee Schlaikjer, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu
BILINGUAL (English, Chinese, Pinyin) AMIS CULTURE / NATURE
On the edge of the Pacific Ocean outside of the Taiwanese city, a girl and her mom gather greens from their garden before the storm arrives. The girl’s mom teaches her about how they are like the dadugum, a flowering shrub, strong and full of life that can thrive anywhere. The mom helps the girl learn the language Amis, their language of one of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes. Readers will notice the bond between mother and child and human and plants they grow. Readers will notice the bond between mother and child and the humans and the plants they grow. Lovely writing filled with sensory details written in English, Chinese, Pinyin, plus interesting related backmatter are accompanied by gorgeous illustrations.

Mamiachi & Me written by Jolene Gutiérrez and Dakota Gutiérrez, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
MARIACHI
Celebrate Mexican music and female empowerment with an empowering story of one little girl’s first mariachi performance. For the first time ever, the girl gets to perform with her mami and her madrinas (godmothers)! She feels nervous as she puts on her costume. And she feels nervous when she stands on stage. But when the other women play their instruments, the girl focuses on the sweet, rhythmic music. When it’s time for her to play the violin and sing, she is fully present and feels the emotion of the music! Bright, almost neon-colored illustrations capture your attention. Extensive back matter explains more about women in mariachi, the traditional outfits of the mariachi, and the translations of the Spanish words in the story.

A Cat Like That written by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Nicole Wong
CAT
Younger children will enjoy the simple, rhythmic, and repeated text about “A cat. A cat. A big round cat. Have you ever seen a cat like that?” The cat strolls around the small town, from the firehouse to the ocean. Beautiful artwork shows a sassy, confident, big-bellied cat. Well, have you ever seen a cat like that?

The House Without Lights written by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Nadia Alam
MUSLIM HOLIDAY OF EID
In this story about Eid, a personified house is the main character. House watches the other houses in the neighborhood decorate with lights for Christmas and Hanukkah. But, House’s new family doesn’t add lights to House. Instead, they invite friends to play and share food. House loves hosting the big family and almost forgets about the lights. Then, a few months later, the family puts up lights for Eid, and House shines bright! Lovely, evocative illustrations.