I hope you enjoy reading about my favorite picture books of 2024. These funny, touching, joyful, and insightful stories are accompanied by a remarkable variety of artwork and explore aspects of the human experience we can all relate to, young and old.
What's New, Daniel? by Micha Archer
Daniel takes his grandpa's question literally and explores their park to see what really is new. By Micha Archer, author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor winner Wonder Walkers.
Bye Land Bye Sea by Rene Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo
Two children are lost at sea and the girl speaks only English to the boy who speaks only Spanish. Can they (and the reader) figure out what is happening in this adventure?
Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Andrea Zuill
Rev your engines for a hilarious race between an imaginative dog and an oblivious strawberry from the creators of Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family.
Jam, Too? by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara
This joyful rhyming cumulative story introduces the names and sounds of instruments from different countries as a child looks for a way to join the jam. From the author of Grandma's Tiny House and the illustrator of Jump at the Sun and Your Mama.
The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey
A moving intergenerational story of boy's family farm and the community that supports it that provides a detailed portrait of a particular place and situation while remaining entirely relatable. Backmatter includes information on the loss of Black farms in America as a result of discrimination. From the author of Nigel and the Moon and the illustrators of the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor Winning There Was a Party for Langston.
A Pinecone! by Helen Yoon
Dad's attention is pulled between a muddy dog and a pinecone-collecting daughter in this laugh-out-loud story brought to life by Yoon's signature illustrations.
Piper Chen Sings by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, illustrated by Qin Leng
When Piper begins to develop stage fright before her upcoming solo at the school concert, a talk with her Nǎi Nai turns the butterflies into something to welcome instead of something to fear. Inspired by the childhood experiences of actress Phillipa Soo.
If You Run Out of Words by Felicita Sala
As she gets ready for bed a girl worries that her father will run out of words for her since he is always distracted by talking and texting. However, he is able to reassure her of his commitment and love through increasingly creative and touching answers to her questions.
Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido, illustrated by Mavisu Demirag
Try to keep up with the rhymes and mountains of food as each family member who arrives for dinner requests a different pasta in this fun book that you didn't know you needed.
Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
This deceptively simple story is primarily about learning to deal with younger siblings, but also about learning to work together as a family and Cherokee cultural traditions. Both the author and illustrator are citizens of the Cherokee Nation.
Bunny Should Be Sleeping by Amy Hest, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Another seemly simple story that handles a common problem calmly, with excellent writing and adorably soft illustrations.
A Garden Called Home by Jessica J. Lee, illustrated by Elaine Chen
A girl helps her Taiwanese mother feel more at home in their new country through a shared love of nature. Sometimes children know best. From the illustrator of My Day with Gong Gong.
Mamá's Magnificent Dancing Plantitas by Jesús Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz
Gardening is also the subject of this story, though Jesús uses more creative techniques when caring for his mother's plants such as giving them haircuts, telling them jokes, and providing music for a dance party. But when the party ends in disaster Jesús's mother shows that she understands her son more than he realizes. Kinkz's exuberant illustrations once again perfectly complement the story in the companion to Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock.
Being Home by Traci Sorrell, illustrated by Michaela Goade
A unique and joyful story of a girl who is excited to move, because it will be out of the fast-paced city and to her ancestors’ land, where family and friends are waiting. Acclaimed author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation and Michaela Goade is a member of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Caldecott Award-winning illustrator of We Are Water Protectors.
A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott
This may be just a story of a hungry bear trying to catch a fish, but the spare, tongue-twisting words and the hilariously energetic illustrations make this a great read-aloud and a book to be read again and again. You can tell that the illustrator works in animation by day.
Have You Seen My Acorn? by DK Ryland
Squirrel has a lot to learn about the life cycle of an oak tree but the illustrations and perfect comic timing of his interactions with his forest friends will keep readers laughing as they pick up a few facts about nature.
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
A familiar story is given a unique take through its incredible illustrations in this nearly wordless picture book debut. After moving to America Jun finds everything unfamiliar and confusing at school except for lunchtime when she gets to eat food that reminds her of home. Different styles of artwork represent Jun's changing emotions, and thankfully it is happiness by the end of the story.