Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2019
Let's face it, picture books are not just for kids. If you haven't seen one in a while, The New York Times and The New York Public Library curated an incredible collection of the best art in the genre from the thousands of picture books published this year.
The Times has a stunning online gallery you can preview and you can find them all at the Library.
Small in the City
Written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
A quiet story told from the perspective of a child searching for a beloved lost pet in a big city.
Another
Written and illustrated by Christian Robinson
A wordless, funny story about a girl and her cat who cross over into an imaginary world.
The Lost Cousins
Written and illustrated by B.B. Cronin
Grandad, Esmé and Tate take a trip to meet the kids "long-lost " cousins Yuki, Jada, Awan, and Luis.
A Million Dots
Written and illustrated by Sven Volker
Big numbers are often difficult for children to conceptualize, but this book makes it fun.
Just Because
Written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
A whimsical bedtime story in which a patient father offers imaginative answers to nighttime questions, including why the ocean is blue, what the rain is and what happened to the dinosaurs.
Child of Glass
Written and illustrated by Beatrice Alemagna
"One day, in a village neighboring the European cities of Florence and Bilbao, a child of glass was born."
The Farmer
Written and illustrated by Ximo Abadia
Paul works hard on his farm while those in the village are resting, but when drought comes, friends unexpectedly arrive to lend a hand.
The Boring Book
Written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
"I'm bored" is something every child says. This boy wonders to himself just what makes things boring. Why is he bored? What does boring actually mean?
Monkey on the Run
Written and illustrated by Leo Timmers
Monkey, who is just trying to get home, dodges fire-fighting snakes, regal lions, bull jewel thieves, and shell-collecting seagulls along the way.
I Miss My Grandpa
Written and illustrated by Jin Xiaojing
A child asks different family members about her late grandfather and learns of his characteristics through the features he passed down to his children and grandchildren.
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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!