Favorite Picture Books - Old & New Classics
I'm a huge fan of picture books, both to read and as an art form. Included in this list are classics that I remember from my own childhood and ones that I read to my children over the years. (This list contains affiliate links for my favorite books ...
Hilarious New Classics
Get ready to laugh. These stories are absolutely hilarious and crack me and my kids up every time we read them.
Help the bear solve this *complete mystery* of who stole his hat. Absolutely one of the funniest picture books written in the last twenty years. My sons and I laugh every time we read it.
The Day The Crayons Quit and its sequel The Day The Crayons Came Home is cheeky hilarity from start to finish.
Oh, those naughty dragons. These are silly good, taco-lovin' dragon fun.
Oh, Llama Llama with your llama drama. My favorite in the series is Llama Llama Mad at Mama, but they're all delightfully funny and sweet.
Click, Clack, Moo is a silly and fun picture book with such a great little twist at the end.
Oh, that naughty, naughty pigeon. This is the book that kicked off his shenanigans, and it's a great read-aloud.
This is the first picture book I ever read to my son, when he was a newborn. It is one of my all-time, absolute favorites. It's so cute and fun and hilarious. Little Pea is every picky eater ever.
This tale of two hens who are obsessed with seeing their rock idol Elvis Poultry is both cute and hilarious. It's a fun story of perseverance and pluck.
Oh, Olivia. This cheeky little pig will steal your heart and make you crack up.
My Ride-or-Die Favorite Classics
Who doesn't love Corduroy? I actually won a writing contest many years ago by summing up Corduroy's plot in 4 words: Obsessive Bear Seeks Closure.
Is it even possible to read Goodnight Moon without getting drowsy?
But he was STILL HUNGRY.
Shel Silverstein is a national treasure. Quick and witty, I have so many of these poems memorized from my childhood.
If The Velveteen Rabbit doesn't get you in the feels, what will?
Many people are familiar with the Disney version of Winnie the Pooh, but I adore the classic story by A.A. Milne. He's such a witty writer, and the original illustrations capture his silliness.
Delightful Rhymes
I love rhyming picture books, especially when the rhyme is so good that it seems effortless.
The adventures of Little Blue Truck are a great bedtime read with the lilting rhyme.
Corey Rosen Schwartz is one of my favorite picture book rhymers. Three Ninja Pigs has it all. Namely Porcine Ninjas and girl power!
This is one of my favorite read-alouds of all time. The rhyme in Bubble Trouble rolls off your tongue, and it's such a sweet and silly story with happy ending for all.
This sweet, rhyming story is delightful ducks on a camping trip. One of my boys' favs growing up.
I love Sandra Boynton books, and you can't make me pick a favorite! No kid's library is complete without these hilarious classics.
More Boynton favorites!
I love all the Little Pookie books, but “What's Wrong, Little Pookie?” is my favorite.
Beautiful Bedtime Books
Nancy Tillman's lilting prose and delightfully engaging illustrations will enchant any reader! This is the first in a loosely grouped series, and my favorite of them.
A sweet and loving parent and child bedtime book.
I think I still have this precious board book memorized from when my kiddos were babies.
This perennial favorite answer the question “Guess How Much I Love You” (Spoiler Alert: A LOT.)
Learn Something New (In the Funnest Way Possible)
These picture books are all nonfiction or nonfiction-esque and a great way to sneak some educational material into your bedtime reading.
Did you know that koala bears aren't actually bears? Learn a whole lot more about them by reading this adorable and fun picture book about Koala's first day at camp.
This picture book about a day in the life of an earthworm is too funny (and surprisingly educational).
This occupation-themed series of books is as informational as it is adorable (i.e. very).
This delightful picture book by Kristin Gray tells the true story of how NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover threw itself a little birthday party to celebrate a year of successful mission.
Reader Resources
From the educational to the fun, here are some awesome resources for readers, young and old.
Reading to and with your kids is so important to help develop their emotional and mental well-being. This is a great article on the many benefits that reading provides.
Makes a reading nook or corner extra special.
These customizable canvas book tote library bags come in several options for the character. Such a fun, personalized way to make a trip to the library or bookstore even more special.
This personalized library sign makes such a cute addition to a bookshelf.