The Best Picture Books of 2024

Throughout 2024, I’ve read about 2,000 newly published picture books every single month—yep, that’s a lot of books! From all those choices, I’ve picked out my absolute favorite picture books of the year that stand up as high quality and kid-friendly.

So, what makes a picture book stand out to me? Here’s what I’m looking for specifically:

• Exceptional writing. (That isn’t too wordy.)
• Beautiful, interesting, or charming illustrations.
• Re-readable stories.
• Kid-friendly stories and topics. (Nothing didactic. Nothing where the kid does not have agency. Nothing that only adults would like.)

These are the picture book recommendations that check all my boxes.

Happy reading!

The Best Picture Books of 2024

Olive All At Once written by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Alison Hawkins 
EMOTIONS / SEL
FINALLY, the social emotional book of my dreams!! This superb book is about Olive, a little girl who feels all the emotions AT THE SAME TIME! The narrator explains that Olive feels different emotions. She has first-person interjections about why she feels what she feels throughout her days at school, at a birthday party, and at home — and they are so charming and fun. Let’s normalize the truth that we feel multiple emotions at once!

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What Can a Mess Make? written and illustrated by Bee Johnson 
IMAGINATION / CREATION
Written in lyrical, rhythmic language, sisters find that so many things around their house can be used to make a mess. But it’s not the mess that matters because those messes are what makes forts, masterpieces, snacks, changes of plans, and a good night’s sleep. (To name a few creations.) These sisters’ big imaginations create a day full of adventure and play. A wonderfully written and illustrated celebration of imagination!

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The Table written by Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins, illustrated by Jason Griffin 
FAMILY LIFE
The story is about what unites a family, the memories together at a table with the backdrop of a mining community. This family’s life around the table is filled with moments–Easter eggs, sewing sis’s dress, teaching Meemaw to read, and then, bills that are hard to pay. When Papa loses his mining job, they move and must leave the too-big table behind. Until…they find another table. The main character narrator imagines the table’s story and the families that used it before hers. How brilliant would this book be as a writing prompt?!

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Mr. Fox’s Game of “No!” written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka 
INTERACTIVE PRESCHOOL / FUNNY
Perfection for preschool readers–this book will crack kids up as it proposes that readers must say NO to everything that Mr. Fox asks. Of course, Mr. Fox asks if they want ice cream, to go swimming with dolphins, and if they are wearing underwear. Hilarious!

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Still Life written by Alex London, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky 
ART
An artist painting a still life explains what “still life” is–objects sitting still and nothing moving. (Hint, but there are things moving.) The artist elaborates that there are NO eager mice hiding or dragons ruining the tablecloth, or knights fighting, or a princess following clues! Of course, everything the narrator tells you isn’t there actually is there on the painting, causing mayhem and hilarity. The artwork is stunning. The still life paintings illustrated by Zelinsky are painty contrasting with the silly action characters that are cartooney.

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The First Week of School written and illustrated by Drew Breckmeyer 
SCHOOL
From Monday’s Show and Tell to Recess to Friday’s Class Party, this is the story of the first week of school, when a spaceship arrives at the school and NOBODY notices. Also, Nobody is the name of the alien which is a funny play on words. Nobody finds a desk, Nobody hides from the janitor, Nobody likes the STEM lab, and Nobody waves goodbye on Friday. Nobody remembers what happened. Bwahahaha! LOVE!!!!

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Towed by Toad written and illustrated by Jashar Awan 
COOPERATION
I’m in love with this darling picture book because it’s filled with charming illustrations, simple text, and the important message of asking for help. Toad loves helping his friends like Catie Cat, Davey Dog, and Stanley Snout when they crash their cars. But when Toad’s tow truck breaks down, he realizes that everyone needs help sometimes–even a helper like him. How sweet is that?

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Who’s in Charge? written by Stephanie Allain & Jenny Klion, illustrated by Marissa Valdez 
BODY AUTONOMY
From your nose to your toes, your lips to your eyes, YOU are in charge of all the parts of your body. The book asks about who is in charge of your giggle and wiggle and voice and choice? You’ll read over and over that “I am!” in charge. Hooray! I love this anthem for body autonomy and agency. This is a powerful book with fabulous illustrations is a must-own, must-read for children of all ages.

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The Ofrenda That We Built written by Jolene Gutierrez and Shaian Gutierrez, illustrated by Gabby Zapata 
CUMULATIVE / DAY OF THE DEAD
If you like cumulative stories, you’ll love this beautiful story of a family’s Dia de los Muertos traditions. The family starts with an ofrenda (altar), then adds embroidered cloth, cut paper, candles, copal, bells, marigold petals, tamales, sweet bread, and more. All to remember and honor their beloved abuelo. The illustrations are BEYOND AMAZING, so full of life and love and colors. The illustrations are BEYOND AMAZING, so full of life and love and colors. I love everything about this book!

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We Are Definitely Human written and illustrated by X Fang 
KINDNESS
When the big-eyed aliens crash land their spaceship at Mr. Li’s, they tell him that they are “definitely human.”. Also, that they are from…Europe…and that their…um, car…broke down. Mr. Li and other kind humans help the visitors fix their “car” which becomes a fun party with dancing and food and dogs. The alien’s visit reminds us to be our best human selves –> KIND. A must-own, must-read, and must-discuss with children.

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On the Small Hill Where the Girls Take Off Their Shoes written by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Linda Wolfsgruber 
I love this book so much. It’s gentle, it’s peaceful, it’s filled with meaning, and it’s beautiful in every way — lyricism, illustrations, imagery, and simplicity. It’s your favorite poem turned into a book. Since I usually think about reading books with children, I imagine this book would be amazing in the classroom to prompt kids to consider what they would put in their own story of the history of the world. Then, have them write their own similar history of the world!

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Walkies A Dog’s Tale written and illustrated by Estrela Lourenco 
WORDLESS / DOG WALK
Grumpy Kid must walk Dog even in the rain. Much to Kid’s annoyance, Dog pulls Kid, stops to sniff (and won’t budge), and stomps through puddles. But before long, Kid begins to have fun, too. They splash through the rain and puddles and find a peaceful spot to rest. Even after the rain is over, the Kid and Dog adventure home with tumbles and cuddles and later, go on a second walkie with Mom.

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Dog Vs. Strawberry written by Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Andrea Zuill 
FUNNY
HILARIOUS x a million! A car racing announcer gives readers the play-by-play scoop as this dog races…a strawberry. “A strong start for Dog, leaning left, while Strawberry, impassive, doesn’t take the bait.” There’s mayhem, there’s a quick nap, and the finish is…too close to call, but wait– can Dog win after all? I laughed out loud, and so will you!

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The Book That Almost Rhymed written by Omar Abed, illustrated by Hatem Aly 
FUNNY
A little boy writes a rhyming book which sounds great until his silly little sister comes along and makes some, er, changes. “I wrote a smooth and seamless story about a brave knight’s quest for glory. He yearned for treasure all his own, and so he journeyed, all alo- // ALONGSIDE A FIERCE AND FRIENDLY DETECTIVE!” Now that the little sister is there, the siblings find the treasure map and search space and the ocean, dance with pirates, fight an armadillo…with a pillow, and squabble until the boy realizes his sister is a good storyteller, too. Hilarious!

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No More Señora Mimí written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Brittany Chiccese 
RELATIONSHIPS / HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
This is the heartfelt story of a sweet girl named Ana who is excited that abeula is coming to live with her. But soon Ana realizes that abeula’s arrival, means no more señora Mimí. Señora Mimí reassures Ana that they will always be neighbors, and Ana and her abeula are always welcome for visits. Emotional writing with lots of sensory images from the talented Meg Medina, plus gorgeous, warm illustrations, makes this an outstanding, must-own, must-read picture book for your schools, homes, and libraries. 

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Come Out, Come Out, Chameleon! written and illustrated by Jonty Howley 
FUNNY
Kids will LOVE this hilarious and interactive book about an old man who can’t find his lost chameleon that he’s never actually seen. Will readers find it on each page? Look closely! Yes, you will find him. But will the man ever find his chameleon? This is the perfect book to read aloud to preschoolers!

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The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered written and illustrated by Jack Kurland 
FEELINGS / SADNESS
Simple yet bold art on white backgrounds shows a black and white cat lying down, stretching, sitting, and declining his animal friend’s invitations to play, go to a party, explore, or go to Mars. Finally, the cat explains that it’s NOT that he can’t be bothered, it’s that he’s feeling SAD and wants to do nothing. His friends can relate! They ask if they can do nothing with him. The next last spread shows them all lying down with contented smiles. I love that this book shows a character feeling his feelings and supportive friends who listen and care.

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Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu written by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Crystal Kung 
FOLKTALE / FAIRY TALE
Ra Pu Zel lives in ancient China. After too much criticism from adults, Pu Zel shuts herself in a tall tower with her dog Bao, getting food via her long braid. Nothing will entice her out of her tower so her father, the emperor, declares that the first person to persuade Pu Zel to leave her tower will have his marriage blessing. Different princes try to lure her out, but they don’t succeed. Eventually, a young chef cooks stinky tofu below the tower, and Pu Zel rushes down to try a bite. She loves the stinky tofu and falls in love with the chef!

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Pretty Ugly written by David Sedaris, illustrated by Ian Falconer
FUNNY
Get ready for some surprising surprises! When Anna Van Ogre is good, she stomps on flowers and talks with her mouthful. I mean, she is an ogre, right? But something terrible happens when Anna is acting bad–her face gets stuck in a smile! She’s horrified. Luckily, her family accepts her and says her real beauty is on the inside. That gives her an idea! She finds a way to turn herself inside out. Now she’s beautiful again. Clever humor that will crack up your kids!

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The Lucky Red Envelope: A Lift-the-flap Lunar New Year Celebration by Vikki Zhang 
LUNAR NEW YEAR
In this intricately illustrated search-and-find story with enchanting border art and mesmerizing illustrations, Yue and her family celebrate Lunar New Year. As you read the story, lift the flaps to reveal more information or surprises, like the door god hiding in a lantern or fortune cookies or what’s inside Yue’s satchel. Over the days of celebration, the family watches fireworks, serves guests delicious food, wears traditional clothing, makes dumplings, attends the parade and dragon dance, and eats rice balls. Your readers will love finding all the surprises within each page!

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Today written by Gabi Snyder, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin 
MINDFULNESS
Written in second person, this beautiful book is about enjoying your day today; a day when you drive to the lake and splash and play, where time seems slow and fast, and fireworks pop, jasmine smells, and Pop-pop’s cat sits heavy on your belly. Today is a memory you can keep. Breathe in and out and remember. Back matter explains mindfulness and ideas for when you want to fast-forward time. Gorgeous sensory writing invites readers to experience the day with all their senses…and savor it as precious. Lovely.

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I Am La Chiva! The Colorful Bus of the Andes written by Karol Hernandez, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez
LATINE PICTURE BOOKS
The bus in the Andes narrates the rhyming text describing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and activities of the passengers traveling to the market for the day. The story illuminates this warm community of helpful people who sing together, travel together, repair the bus’s tire together, and commune together at the market, illustrated in lovely, warm illustrations.

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The Gabi That Girma Wore written by Fasika Adefris and Sara Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Netsanet Tesfay
See how the tiny cottonseed journeys to become the Gabi that Girma wore. A Gabi is a traditional Ethiopian cloth. So, in this cumulative poem in the style of “This is the House That Jack Built,” the seed becomes the plant and flower that the farmer plucks that the woman cleans and spins into soft cloth. Eventually, Gabi sells the Gabi to Genet, who gives it to Girma as a gift, who wears it for a special occasion and then shares it with his family. Lovely!

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Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku written by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann
Be impressed by the writing (I mean, a narrative story in haiku, whoa!), then keep reading for the story and the art! Written in first person, a child and their family wake up from their campsite and embark on a mountain hike, one step at a time. They pass gray lava domes, melting drifts, a lake, white snowfields, a marmot, other hikers, and more until they arrive at the summit! I love the story, the writing, and the artwork, and I love how it celebrates nature and perseverance.

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A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration written by Cynthia Harmony, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth 
MONARCH MIGRATION / REFUGEES
Readers will love this parallel story of Lucia’s dad’s migration north to work on a farm alongside the monarcas’ (monarchs) migration north. Side by side we see their journeys by land and air. Back at home, Lucia waits for the monarcas and for Papá to return until one day on el Dia de los Muertos, it happens–autumn, the butterflies, and Papá return home to fill her heart.

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Bird is Dead written by Tiny Fisscher and illustrated by Herma Starreveld
DEATH
Experts on children’s grief recommend using the words dead and death– instead of euphemisms, so I immediately love the title. I also LOVE the cool collage and pen and ink art. The story is written entirely in dialogue showing birds talking about their bird friend who is dead. They discuss crying and being sad. They have a funeral and say goodbye in their own way, showing that people can express grief differently. They also discuss that it’s forever, another important thing kids need to understand. Then, they decide to have a tea party and talk about their friend.

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Flap Your Hands written and illustrated by Steve Asbell
AUTISM
Written in second person, you get to experience the fun of stimming to help when the world feels overwhelming. Maybe you wave your wrists like a conductor, and the world is your orchestra. You might choose a word with a funny sound and say it out loud. You might do a happy-flap or spin and flop down. It can help you calm down and handle big feelings! The illustrations feel movement-filled and celebratory. This book is a much-needed book that celebrates the needs of autistic kids.

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Counting Winter written by Nancy White Carlstom, illustrated by Claudia McGehee
WINTER / COUNTING
From one to twelve, count the different creatures, including golden eagles, red squirrels, furry voles, and shaggy musk oxen who stalk, talk, track, crack, and face race WINTER. Lyrical and sensory with vivid verbs and fun adverbs, this is an atmospheric read-aloud perfect for the winter season, illustrated with incredible vibrant art.

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Hanukkah Pajamakkahs written by Dara Henry, illustrated by Olga & Aleksey Ivanov 
HANUKKAH / HUMOR
I love everything about this playful Hanukkah story that shows an exuberant girl celebrating Hanukkah with her family! Ruthie gets new pajamakkas on the first night of Hanukkah. Her parents say she can wear them all eight nights if she can keep them spotless. (Are you worried, yet) Good thing Ruthie’s definition of spotless is different from her parents. She splats on some latkes, drips the wax, tapes on strips of tape, squishes gooey jelly, floofs on glitter, and squelches on paint. Those aren’t spots! Those are dots, Ruthie says. Her messy fun shows their many wonderful family traditions.

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You’re So Amazing! written by James & Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George 
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Adults and other kids see Joe playing with friends and say that he’s amazing. When he doesn’t play, they see him as pathetic. But Joe doesn’t want to be either amazing or pathetic– he just wants to be Joe! And that’s exactly what his true friends see: Joe, a kid who loves to play soccer and monkey bars and pirates with his friends. This book reminds readers that disability is normal and disabled kids don’t want to be inspirational or pitiful.

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Spider in the Well written by Jess Hannigan 
FUNNY / FOLKTALE-ish
Clever storytelling and artwork share the story of a kind-hearted newsboy-chimney sweep-shoe shiner-and milkman in the town of Bad Goodsburg. The townspeople are furious when the wishing well breaks. They lie to the newsboy about their altruistic wishes and tell him to figure out the problem. When he arrives at the wishing well, he meets a spider who reveals the truth about the selfish townspeople’s wishes. So the now furious newsboy decides to get justice! And it’s hilarious and very satisfying to see the greedy townspeople get what they deserve. Bold graphic art in orange neon, black, and purple makes this reading experience extra fun.

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A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish written by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott 
FUNNY
In this funny, sweet story, Bear wants a fish, and Fish wants a home. (NOT to get eaten.) What will happen when the hungry bear tries to catch the homesick fish? Masterfully written with very few words and illustrated with gorgeous illustrations that narrate much of the story, readers will crack up at the deluge of fish submerging the bear and also love that the hungry bear lets the wishful fish swim down the river in peace. I predict your readers will require many repeated readings of this playful story.

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Mouse on the River A Journey Through Nature written by William Snow and illustrated by Alice Melvin
COMMUNITY / JOURNEY / RIVER LIFE
Yet another picture book with amazing colored pencil illustrations that elevate the simple story into a stunning experience. Follow Mouse as he travels by river to his friend’s house. As you read, lift the flaps to uncover more illustrations of the river, activity on the banks and bridges, buildings with other animals, what’s hidden in the marshy grasses, and more. A lovely journey! Back matter describes things along the river from the story and lists things that Mouse packed.

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A Star Shines Through written and illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya
EMIGRATION / REFUGEE
This is a sweet and simple story about emigration and the challenges and changes. The girl and her mom used to live in a city with a star lamp shining in the window, but then the war came. Now they’re in a different country and apartment with a different view, language, and food. The girl’s mom brings home a new cardboard star lamp which helps things become a little less different. The author’s note explains her own emigration journey from Ukraine, searching for a new home.

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