New & Noteworthy: Picture Books We Love
Picture books are most often aimed at small children, but adults love them too. The combination of visual and verbal narrative is magic and they convey tone so marvelously with the simplest of stories and illustrations. Here are a few new ones we recommend to readers of all ages.
All the Animals Where I Live by Philip Stead
A quiet read in which the author takes us on a tour of his home in the country pointing out all the animals that share the space.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma Sofia Esperanza Josâe Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names.
Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso
A beautiful, impressionistic wordless picture book about a girl who learns about being a friend from a fish that leaps into her life.
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller; art by Jen Hill
A feel good book about emotions and feelings and all the ways there are to be kind.
Bus! Stop! by James Yang
An offbeat, whimsical book about a boy who misses a bus and while he waits for the next, he watches a parade of silly vehicles and passengers pass by.
A Busy Creature's Day Eating!by Mo Willems
A funny, busy creature eats his way through the alphabet.
Captain Starfishby Davina Bell; art by Allison Colpoys
A shy boy learns to a be bold enough on a trip to the aquarium.
Doll-E 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey
Charlotte has a knack for anything technological. When she receives a doll, she doesn’t quite know what to do… until she discovers the battery pack.
Drawn Togetherby Minh Le; art by Dan Santat
Art, storytelling and fantasy bridge a cultural and language gap between a boy and his grandfather.
El Chupacabras by Adam Rubin; art by Crash McCreery
Clara and her father seek the help of the chupacabra when the goats on their farm become giants and threaten the town.
The Funeral by Matt James
A whimsical picture book to introduce the theme of coping with death.
Grandma's Purseby Vanessa Brantley-Newton
A sweet picture book about the treasures hidden in a grandmother’s purse.
Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima
While shopping for party supplies in her penguin costume and meets a group of real pengiuns.
Hello, Door by Alastair Heim; art by Alisa Coburn
A rhyming story about a fox walking through a townhouse greeting the objects in his path.
Hello Lighthouseby Sophie Blackall
Explores the life of one lighthouse through changing seasons, weather, and keepers.
Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto; art by Olivier Tallec
A story about two sweet, sensitive boys and their friendship.
Julián is a Mermaidby Jessica Love
Julián is enchanted by a group of stylish women in mermaid costumes on their way to a parade.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson; art by Frank Morrison
Children march against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963.
My Pillow Keeps Movingby Laura Gehl; art by Christopher Weyant
A puppy ends up in a cozy new home and will do anything to stay there.
The Rabbit Listenedby Cori Doerrfeld
When Taylor’s block castle is destroyed all the animals think they know what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to Taylor’s feelings.
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
Farmer Evan’s dog dies and he lets his garden fill with weeds until a pumpkin vine brings new hope.
Wallpaperby Thao Lam
A wordless picture book about being new to the neighborhood and overcoming fear.
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!